It's all about networking at AGLP winter meeting

The American Great Lakes Ports (AGLP) held a January meeting in Toronto that was attended by International Joint Commission (IJC). U.S. Chairman Dennis Schornack and Canadian Chairman Hon. Earl Grey as specially invited guests of AGLP.

AGLP Director Steven A. Fisher and AGLP member ports hosted an impressive group of presenters, including John Jamian, acting administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration; Capt. Randolph Helland, chief, Ninth District Marine Safety Office, U.S. Coast Guard; Dr. Richard Stewart, director, Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute; Allegra Cangelosi, senior policy analyst, Northeast-Midwest Institute; Dave Knight, marine transportation specialist, Great Lakes Commission; and Ray Johnston, president, Chamber of Maritime Commerce.

The winter meeting, held in conjunction with Maritime Day, provided an excellent opportunity for the AGLP and the IJC to network and for the IJC to learn about the many environmental maritime initiatives currently under way. Notable projects include:

Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute (GLMRI)
Federal support of $2.75 million has been obtained for the GLMRI — one of eight national maritime enhancement institutes designated by MARAD throughout the country. The main goal is to work with other universities and institutions to build a network for research on the Great Lakes. The focus is on bringing together public and private resources with academia, government and industry to support the region and the nation through applied research in sustainable maritime commerce. Dave Knight noted that a Coastal Resource Center needs assessment is being conducted by the GLC. The GLC will coordinate with GLMRI to make sure all Great Lakes ports have input.

Vessel inspections
The U.S. and Canadian governments are building on past achievements to continue opportunities to streamline vessel inspections, expanding joint inspections of vessels in Toronoto. Duluth-Superior's Ron Johnson, speaking as a member of the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition, pointed out the need for continued improvements in consistent processing and handling of Great Lakes cruise ships and passengers.

Great Lakes Short Sea Shipping Legislation
The AGLP is seeking to advance federal legislation that would ensure that regulations and current tax structures don't inhibit maritime opportunities and the efficient flow of maritime commerce.

Keeping the Door Open to Commerce; Closing the Door to Invasive Species
Dennis Schornack, IJC U.S. chairman, has been quoted as pushing for the closing of the Seaway, but he said the IJC's role is to protect the Great Lakes from aquatic nuisance species and that the intention never was to shut down the Seaway but rather to address the problem. It was helpful to hear directly from industry and see the different initiatives currently under way. Mr. Schornack recognized that freshwater problems are no different than saltwater problems and that environmental pollution needs to be addressed at the federal level.

Great Ships Initiative
The AGLP held a formal signing of a memorandum of agreement by participating port authorities that were kicking off the Great Ships Initiative. This program is being capitalized to deal with protocols, testing and implementation of ballast water treatment programs. Between the Great Ships Initiative and the Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute, grants of more than $5 million will be secured for the Twin Ports. An $800,000 testing platform supplied by MARAD will be stationed in Duluth. It will serve as an incubator for strategies and, potentially, as a certification fresh-water testing facility.

Economic Impact of Waterborne Commerce
John Jamian noted that recent Great Lakes economic studies include only a small and inaccurate picture of the impact of maritime commerce. He said reports to date have been piecemeal and of limited scope — including the recent Taylor study, sponsored by special-interest groups, that was critical of the value of Great Lakes international shipping. Mr. Jamian said the study was found lacking and has prompted the federal government do an independent comprehensive assessment of all coastal ranges. "Land transport is running at or near full capacity and in the next 20 years will see unmanageable growth," he said. "The Great Lakes has enormous unused capacity, and there is a need for accurate economic impact statement. We need to avoid the crazy-quilt legislation impacting economic viability."

Green Marine Program
A marine industry environmental partnership, the Green Marine Program, includes seven Canadian and U.S. industry associations representing about 500 companies with marine activities in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence region. They are working to build and maintain strong relations with key waterway stakeholders, heighten understanding of the maritime industry's activities and benefits and strengthen the industry's environmental standards and performance through continuous improvement.