Photo credit: Seer Snively

I-SSS is not a magic bullet for all transportation issues. Instead, it’s a crucial opportunity — one that’s proved successful in Europe, (ii) along the East and Gulf coasts, and on major American rivers. (iii) As much as an opportunity as it is, implementation of service will require community consensus and support from both the private and public sectors.

1. Foster Economic Growth: I-SSS provides an opportunity for economic and business growth in rural coastal communities such as Coos Bay and Humboldt Bay. We see our service as a foundational infrastructure platform for rural business growth and job creation through better market access and stronger bottom-line reinvestment. For the Humboldt community, an opportunity such as this hasn’t existed in Humboldt County since the closure of the rail line. This bottom-up business growth continuum, and the accompanying upswing in local tax revenue, would positively impact everything from public agencies to public schools. (ii)

12. Strengthen National Security: A waterborne intermodal service such as ours would help West Coast communities recover more quickly from a catastrophic natural disaster that destroys roads and bridges, by providing an alternative to crippled surface transportation. (xi)

13. A greater voice: Early adoption of alternative transportation methods will likely foster a closer relationship between communities, state agencies and federal representatives, giving communities a greater voice. (v) We at HML are already engaging and garnering substantial recognition and support from state and federal agencies and representatives for the benefits our service will bring to communities. However, we’re not working on this alone. Help from the federal Maritime Administration’s Marine Highway Program and the local Humboldt Bay Harbor District, as well as others, together is making I-SSS and Marine Highway transportation a reality. Whether you’re a shipper, freight carrier, community member, public agency or public official, we hope our service is helping you recognize the benefits of intermodal marine transportation, and that you too will want to be a part of establishing this responsible business practice.

Sources

ii TranSystems and the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. Redwood Marine Terminal Feasibility Study Draft Report. November 2007. Sections cited: Task 2, Sec. 5.2 p. 30; Task 1, Sec 4.2 p. 32; Task 2, Sec. 8, p. 37
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iii Pacific Northwest Waterways Association and the Center for Economic Development Education and Research. Columbia Snake River System and Oregon Coastal Cargo Ports Marine Transportation System Study; Appendix C Short Sea Shipping in the Columbia/Snake River System. June 2005.
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v Clean Energy Act of 2007, H.R.6, 110th Cong., 1st Sess. (2007). Sections cited: T. XI 55602 (b); T. XI 55601 (e) (f)
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xi Institute for Global Maritime Studies, America’s Deep Blue Highway – How Coastal Shipping Could Reduce Traffic Congestion, Lower Pollution and Bolster National Security. September 2008.