US port group concerned over federal dredging budget cuts

THE American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has expressed concern over the Obama administration's proposed reduction in the US Army Corps of Engineers dredging budget, which AAPA said will lose US$250 million.


The comments come in response to the US Government's announcement that it planned to invest $556 billion in a six-year surface transportation bill and a national infrastructure bank.


The AAPA is both optimistic and disappointed by the proposals, according to president Kurt Nagle, reports Newark's Journal of Commerce. It said the Department of Transportation's TIGER programme provided $95 million for port infrastructure projects. But fears abound that freight projects might be "overshadowed by high-profile initiatives such as transit and intercity rail" after TIGER is rolled into the infrastructure bank.


The report highlighted that other groups have responded to proposals with "caution". It said officials from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation announced they were "ready to work with members of Congress and the Administration to approve necessary reforms and to set sensible funding levels."


The American Road and Transportation Builders Association was also concerned that the surface transportation plan "would radically change the programme's scope and structure."


China's Sany Port Machinery joins Brussels industry group


THE Sany Port Machinery of Changsha, 400 miles north of Guangzhou, has joined the Brussels-based Port Equipment Manufacturers Association, the group's first Chinese member, reports American Shipper.


Sany Port Machinery makes reach stackers, container-handling equipment, yard cranes, rail-mounted gantry cranes, rubber tyre gantry cranes and large quay cranes as well as equipment for the construction, mining and energy sectors.


"Given the strength of the Chinese port and shipping sectors, Sany's extensive experience and broad product portfolio make the company an especially valuable source of expertise," said PEMA president Ottonel Popesco.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)