The Blue Coast Intermodal Project (also known as the West Coast Hub Feeder Project) has been awarded $275,000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of a federal initiative designed to move cargo along rivers and coasts rather than highways. This is the first time ever that a Marine Highway program west of the Gulf Coast has received federal funding.

“This is a decisive moment for transportation on the West Coast,” said HML founder Stephen Pepper. “The environmental and economic repercussions of this project extend through multiple states. This funding is a strong message to both the private and public sectors that Washington D.C. is serious about finding Marine Highway solutions.”

From contracostatimes.com: A local entrepreneur’s efforts to establish a marine shipping service along the West Coast and a four-port initiative to build infrastructure to support it have earned recognition — and the prospect of funding — from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Humboldt Maritime Logistics President Stephen Pepper said his company is currently seeking $1.5 million for a West Coast market analysis and a study of what kind of equipment will best suit the service’s needs. The Transportation Department’s determination means the company and the Harbor District are now in a much better position to receive federal funding.

Earlier this week, Secretary Ray LaHood announced his selection of the maritime projects that will be eligible for federal assistance. Here’s the media fallout so far:

(logisticsmgmt.com) DOT announces various America’s Marine Highway efforts make cut for federal funding
Following an April announcement signaling the launch of “America’s Marine Highway” program, an effort to shift freight to waterways from congested U.S. highways, the United States Department of Transportation announced the marine highway corridors and an initial eight projects and six initiatives along the corridors that will be available for federal assistance through this effort.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has designated a joint project between Humboldt Maritime Logistics and the Humboldt Bay Recreation and Conservation District as being eligible for funding as part of a federal initiative designed move cargo along rivers and coasts rather than highways.
The joint project is one of 14 groups and agencies in the nation (and one of only two on the West Coast) to achieve this status.

From marinelink.com: Short-sea shipping, also referred to as the “Marine Highway” and, in some cases, “coastal shipping,” is the subject of more studies than we can list. Whatever the label, the concept refers to an initiative to get freight off our roadways, which are at capacity, and onto our waterways, which have to yet to be tapped to their potential. More than likely you’ve heard about the promises of this mode of transport, including reduced highway congestion, reduced consumption of fuel and fewer emissions per unit shipped. So what’s the hold up?

From joc.com: The Maritime Administration’s final rule establishing its Marine Highway program broadens the concept from earlier proposals, in ways that could add more port facilities and types of cargo that relieve congestion on land.

Marad said its new rule, announced Wednesday and slated to be published in the Federal Register on April 8, makes clear that a range of water shipments of truck- and rail-hauled cargoes plus passenger movements will qualify in its program.

Coming up in April is one of the biggest events on our calendar: the 2010 North American Marine Highways and Logistics Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Not only will U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and other key legislative and industry leaders be speaking, HML CEO Stephen Pepper will be part of a panel on sustainable shipping.


“This conference is filled with some fantastic sessions about the future of America’s transportation system,” Pepper says. “I feel lucky that I’ve been asked to speak about one of the biggest passions in my life: how the Marine Highway can benefit shippers, customers and the environment.” [...]

It’s quite a list: Port Manatee. The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. The New Haven Port Authority. The Port of Providence. Quonset Business Park. The Port of New Bedford. And it goes on and on.

Nearly 100 ports across the United States applied for federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants this summer. In all they asked for $3.38 billion — which is more than twice the amount of money in the entire funding program. [Read the full story to download an applicant analysis.] That type of competition can’t be good for the emerging Marine Highway program, right?

Not so fast, says Stephen Pepper, president of Humboldt Maritime Logistics. “All of these separate projects are in different regions, but they provide the mechanism for communities to define their own Marine Highway goals,” he says. [...]

We’ve mentioned this short sea shipping project between Stockton and Oakland before. But it’s great news to hear that a major public entity — the Bay Area Air Quality Management District — is laying down some big money to help move things forward.
“While the air district’s funding is an important step, [Richard Aschieris, Port of Stockton director] said additional funds are needed – perhaps in “the low twenty-million-dollar range” – for the necessary infrastructure. Federal economic stimulus grants are being sought.
The Port of Stockton has historically handled bulk cargo, such as grain, minerals, fertilizer and steel, but not goods packed into steel shipping containers [...]

It’s a short, to-the-point story so we won’t bother cutting and pasting any of it. But if you’re like us, an article that begins “A new sponsor re-introduced in the House a bill that would benefit entrepreneurs who want to offer short sea shipping services” is a guaranteed must-read. [...]