Guam seeks MarAd oversight of port improvement plan

Guam's congressional delegate has introduced U.S. House legislation to authorize federal oversight of a modernization plan for the island's commercial port.

H.R. 6007, introduced by Guam Delegate Madeline Bordallo, seeks to authorize the U.S. Transportation Secretary to institute a port improvement plan for the island through the Maritime Administration. Similar legislative arrangements for Alaska and Hawaii have led to speedy improvements at ports in both states.

Under the proposed legislation, MarAd assistance would range from permitting to purchasing to training. While the legislation would not include funding for improvements, elevating Guam port concerns to a federal level would facilitate future funding requests from the Guam government.

The Guam Port Authority was quick to point out that the legislation, if passed, would not turn control of the port over to the federal government.

We are here to support and execute this project. We've been invited and if we're asked to leave, we will gladly back out. It's for the benefit of the port, Scott Davis, MarAd program manager, told GuamPDN.com.

Davis said the legislation, if passed, would be a major milestone for Guam. 

Source: American Shipper