Port Planning/Investment Toolkit Developed
"AAPA recognized the infrastructure project needs and funding concerns faced by America's ports," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO. "The capabilities to handle the mountains of freight that move through America's seaports each year require costly investments."
The federal Maritime Administration (MARAD) has completed work on a Port Planning and Investment Toolkit, the agency announced. Developed through collaboration between the American Association of Port Authorities, MARAD, PFM Group of Orlando, Fla., WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff of Virginia Beach, Va., and industry experts, it is a resource for the port industry with two sections to help U.S. port authorities plan, invest in, and implement critical infrastructure projects.
"AAPA recognized the infrastructure project needs and funding concerns faced by America's ports," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO. "To help solve these challenges, we jointly brought together a host of experts to develop an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-execute resource to help ports get to the point of bidding out a plan for the modernization and upgrades they need to handle both their current and future demands."
"The capabilities to handle the mountains of freight that move through America's seaports each year require costly investments. Although ports have a history of public-private partnerships to develop and operate their facilities, funding vital intermodal freight projects is requiring them to engage with a larger cast of public and private partners," Nagle added.
"The development and enhancemt of our maritime transportation system is a crucial component in the continued growth of our nation's economy," said Joel Szabat, MARAD's executive director. "Forward-thinking and planning will enable our ports to further support jobs, trade and commerce for American communities."
The new kit provides guidance to identify factors that must be addressed when planning a potential port project. The PPIT project began in September 2014 after MARAD joined AAPA in a cooperative agreement to work together in developing port investment plan guidance.