January 22, 2021 By Shelley Byrne
The Port of Huntington Tri-State is the nation’s busiest inland port by freight volume, according to a recently released freight analysis for 2019.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center released data late last year showing the port has overtaken the Ports of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in total volume moved.
Both ports are statistical ports with boundaries that have changed in recent years. The Port of Huntington Tri-State was the first port in the nation to adopt a statistical boundary definition, doing so in 2000. While the previous Port of Huntington encompassed only 14 miles of the Ohio River in the area surrounding the city, the Port of Huntington Tri-State achieved approval from the Corps of Engineers to broaden its footprint. It now includes 100 miles of the Ohio River, nine miles of the Big Sandy River and 90 miles of the Kanawha Riv
December 31, 2020 By Jim Myers
Washington, D.C. The U.S. House easily voted to override President Donald Trump’s stunning veto of a major defense bill that backers promote as a boost to the nation’s maritime industry.
Following the bipartisan House vote of 322 to 87, the Senate seemed ready to not only hand Trump the first veto defeat of his presidency but rescue a record of passing a National Defense Authorization Act every year for six decades.
“For the brave men and women of the United States armed forces, failure is not an option,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said, adding failure for the Senate is also not an option.
December 23, 2020 By Jim Myers
Washington, D.C. Escaping a “chopping block,” the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA 2020) made it into a massive package Congress passed to fund the government and provide coronavirus relief to the American people.
“What a day this has been!” the National Waterways Conference (NWC) exclaimed in a news alert crediting the actions of its members with saving the popular legislation.
According to the NWC alert, the 11th-hour drama grew out of concerns over changes to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, a major goal for some.
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) hailed the inclusion of its “long-sought reforms to more fairly allocate and spend revenues from the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT).”
December 18, 2020 By Jim Myers
Washington, D.C. Facing several significant deadlines, congressional leaders put aside their finger-pointing to work toward a compromise on another coronavirus relief package they hope to attach to a must-pass omnibus appropriations bill to keep the government open.
“Congressional leaders on both sides are going to keep working until we get it done,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said.
Both McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reported progress on the effort.
That breakthrough occurred after they began focusing on elements that enjoy bipartisan support while putting the more contentious elements aside for now.
December 11, 2020 By Jim Myers
Washington, D.C. Trying to keep its track record intact, the House passed by voice vote the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, sending it on to the Senate for final congressional action.
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, called the bill a “bipartisan, bicameral agreement,” and highlighted authorization in S. 1811 for all 46 reports a record number of the chief engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 27 new feasibility studies and expedited completion of more than 60 ongoing studies.
DeFazio also pointed to provisions to ensure full utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund by unlocking funds that have sat idle for decades.