Georgia senators seek US$105 million for Savannah dredging

GEORGIA's two US senators are pressing for federal funding to dredge Savannah Harbour to make it accessible for the larger ships before the opening of the Panama Canal in 2014, reports the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Republican senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss are seeking US$105 million from the Democrat-dominated Senate Appropriations Committee to continue dredging under the Savannah Harbour Expansion Project in the fiscal year 2011 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.

"The Savannah Harbour must be deepened to keep up with the expansion of the Panama Canal," Senator Chambliss said. "This project will provide tremendous benefit to Georgia, the southeast and our nation as a whole."

The Panama Canal, through which many cargo ships pass when travelling to and from the east coast, is scheduled to be widened by 2014 and will accommodate larger cargo ships that require deeper waters. The Savannah Harbour Expansion Project was authorised in the Water Resources and Development Act of 1999 and will deepen the channel from 42 to 48 feet in order to accommodate larger cargo carriers and attract new business.

The Port of Savannah is the fastest-growing container port in the United States as well as the second-largest container port on the east coast and the fourth largest container port in the nation.

Georgia maritime activities support more than 286,000 jobs in the state and contribute some $10.8 billion in income, $35.4 billion in revenue and $1.4 billion in state and local taxes each year.

(Source: www.schednet.com)