Association News At Sea & Ashore

On March 2nd, the Maritime Association partnered with NYSERDA, the Towboat Harbor Carriers Association of NY/NJ and other The Maritime Technical Working Group (M-TWG) members to host a Cabling Workshop in New York City. The workshop gave stakeholders the chance to discuss the safe routing of underwater cables from wind farms and other projects offshore in the New York region. The New York Department of State, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and wind developers also attended to address vessel operators’ concerns with the proposed placement of offshore wind cables in federally designated navigation channels and anchorages. Approximately 65 participants from multiple maritime industries deliberated on safe routing and burial solutions for developers. The workshop deepened our collective understanding of needs and issues related to offshore wind cable installation in NYS navigable waters.

The Maritime Technical Working Group (M-TWG) is an independent and non-decisional advisory entity made up of representatives from the maritime transportation sector, navigation community, and offshore wind developers who provide guidance and advice on how to responsibly implement New York State’s efforts to advance offshore wind energy development. State and federal agencies are also engaged in this group to provide technical experience and assist with coordination. The regional focus of this group is the New York/New Jersey Harbor and its approaches, including the New York Bight and Long Island Sound.

On March 9th, Executive Director of the Maritime Association, Stephen Lyman moderated a panel at the Port Industry Workforce Development Summit on Skills Today and Skills for Tomorrow in Transportation Logistics and Distribution. The Event provided attendees an opportunity to learn about and discuss apprenticeship education, training programs and what technical skills will be necessary for the careers of the future. Panelists included subject matter experts and stakeholders from industry educators and recruiters. The event was hosted by the Workforce Development Implementation Team, a working group sponsored by the Council on Port Performance.

To participate and find out about future events, please contact us at info@nymaritime.org.

The Maritime Association's comments, in part, were cited in Soundings Article: "Whale Controversy Intensifies." The comments provided were included in part to Federal Register NOAA-NMFS-2022-0022; Amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.

Organizations that represent recreational boaters weren’t the only ones that sounded off in the public comments about the proposed rule. Commercial organizations also weighed in with concerns about safety at a variety of locations, including major shipping hubs.

“Changing the minimum length [for boats that must limit their speed along the Eastern Seaboard] from 65 feet or greater down to 35 feet or greater poses increased risk and safety concerns to pilot operations,” wrote the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey. In addition, operating these pilot boats at a speed of less than 10 knots can become hazardous.”

The Maritime Association has been keeping a close eye on developments over the past couple of months and the uptick of the mortality rates of whales within the region. We have been working with our members from the offshore wind and the maritime industry, as well as NOAA. We are advocating for more information from the scientific community to help determine the root cause for the unusual whale mortality rate.

To see the article from Soundings, please click the link below.

Thanks to all the generous sponsors and supporters of the 29th International Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, this event is once again SOLD OUT. You can show your support to the honorees through an ad in the Journal or through a sponsorship which includes recognition through our promotional materials and throughout the event. The awards will be presented at one of the industry’s most widely attended dinner gala events, which will be held on May 17th at The Lighthouse, Pier 61, at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

The Hall of Fame will induct the following shipping and intermodal leaders for their leadership and commitment to advancing the maritime industry throughout their careers: 

• Griff Lynch, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority
• Brian Buckley McAllister, President, McAllister Towing
• Jeremy Nixon, Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd
• Semiramis Paliou, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Diana Shipping Inc. & Chairperson, Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (“HELMEPA”)
• Bill Shea, Chief Executive Officer, DCLI

For more information on ways to support the awardees with a journal ad or a sponsorship, please contact imhof@nymaritime.org.

February 2023 Vessel Stats

Public Notices

As part of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities second offshore wind energy solicitation, awarded projects were required to commit $10,000 per megawatt of project-size-awarded capacity to fund regional research and monitoring to assess the impacts of offshore wind development on New Jersey’s natural resources. New Jersey’s Offshore Wind Research and Monitoring Initiative (RMI) was established to oversee the allocation of these funds.

A virtual public stakeholder meeting to discuss the RMI was held on February 27, 2023 and written comments will be accepted until March 29, 2023. Details regarding how to submit comments are included in the Public Notice.

The Army Corps of Engineers has received a request that includes the removal of an existing ramp approximately 341 square foot “L”-shaped float. The existing structures are proposed to be replaced by an approximately 4-footwide by 8-foot-long fixed pier leading to an approximately 3-foot-wide by 20-foot-long ramp, facing perpendicular to the bulkhead, and an approximately 12-foot-wide by 50-foot-long float with three (3) 3-footwide

by 20-foot-long finger floats. This work is in Shellbank Basin, a tributary of Jamaica Bay.

Comment period closes March 22, 2023

The Army Corps of Engineers had issued a public notice to Construct a new approximately 5-foot-wide by 10-foot-long fixed pier with an approximately 4-foot-wide by 17.5-foot-long ramp leading to a 4-foot-wide by 6-foot-long landing float, two (2) 6-foot-wide by 20-foot-long floats, and two (2) 3-foot-wide by 30-foot-long finger floats extending perpendicular from the 20-foot-long floats. The dock structures will be secured in place by eight (8) 12-inch diameter timber piles.

Comments may be submitted until March 28, 2023.

NY & NJ Harbor & Tributaries Focus Area

Given the complexity of the NYNJHAT, the vast and populated study area, and the goal of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and non-federal partners to have maximum public engagement and input to the NYNJHAT study, the public comment period has been extended to March 31, 2023.

Read more and how to provide public comments on the study below.

The Army Corps of Engineers has issued a public notice on New York Harbor Sandy Hook Federal Navigation Channel Maintenance Dredging. The proposed activity is to perform annual maintenance dredging of the critical shoal areas.

Comment period closes April 6, 2023.

Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the FY 2023 PIDP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

This funding opportunity awards grants on a competitive basis to assist in funding projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports. Eligible projects include port electrification master planning; cargo handling equipment and harbor craft replacements; electric charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure for drayage trucks and locomotives; idle reduction infrastructure; worker training to support electrification technology; and other environmental and emissions mitigation measures. 

Applications are due by April 28, 2023.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has opened the application process for a $16.1 million program that provides grants to buy and install electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Applications are due by May 12, 2023

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Opens Third Offshore Wind Solicitation of Between 1.2 GW and 4 GW.

The application window closes June 23, 2023.