infrastructure

Will wind turbine transporters continue to roll during COVID-19?

The coronavirus pandemic’s global spread earlier this year put the brakes on many U.S. industrial project cargoes, but truckloads of behemoth wind turbine components continue to roll across the nation’s highways.

“Our wind turbine component load count for this year is up 36%,” said Gene Lemke, vice president of projects for St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), in a telephone interview with American Shipper. “It’s been a huge bright spot during these difficult times.”

Family-...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/will-wind-turbine-transporters-continue-to-roll-during-covid-19

Today’s Pickup: Idelic integrates Samsara ELD, camera data into platform

Samsara dashcam

Good day,

Idelic’s Safety Suite driver management platform is now capable of collecting electronic logging device (ELD) and camera data generated by Samsara’s technology. Customers using Safety Suite can automatically upload their ELD and camera data and have that driver information seamlessly pushed back to Samsara.

“Capturing data through devices that Samsara provides is incredibly helpful in understanding driver behavior. Integrating that data into the wide breadth of driver information held...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/todays-pickup-idelic-integrates-samsara-eld-camera-data-into-platform

FMC urges Congress to aid distressed US box terminals

Steep reductions in containership sailings over the next several months due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have many U.S. marine terminal operators wondering how they are going to afford their annual lease payments to port authorities.

The country’s nearly 100 large and small container terminals are on some of the priciest industrial property. According to industry experts, terminal operators in the Port of New York and New Jersey annually spend about $90,000 per acre as port authority...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/fmc-urges-congress-to-aid-distressed-us-box-terminals

Increased rail freight capacity is welcome but advance charging is unfair

Pictured: a container freight train. Photo: Zoltan Matuska from Pixabay.

Shipping Australia welcomes the priority project status assigned to the Port Botany Rail Line Duplication project and the Cabramatta Passing Loop by statutory advisory body, Infrastructure Australia.

Planned works will include building of kilometres of new track along with realignment and upgrading of existing track. The works will better connect Port Botany to the rail freight network and will increase freight capacity.

The...

https://shippingaustralia.com.au/increased-rail-freight-capacity-is-welcome-but-advance-charging-is-unfair/

Senate panel seeks change in funding for locks and dams

A key Senate committee that oversees the waterways has agreed to make a significant change in the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) that would free up more money to modernize aging lock and dam infrastructure.

In the first move of the legislative process to produce a new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) this year, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released a draft of the bill on April 21.

As part of that proposal, senators agreed to a cost-share adjustment for inland...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/senate-panel-seeks-change-in-program-that-funds-inland-waterways-improvements/

China Charts Plan To Strengthen Transportation Sector

According to an article published in Seatrade-Maritime, China issued a plan to strengthen the nation’s position in the transportation sector.

Move to improve infrastructure and logistics

The stand has been decided with an aim to improve infrastructure and expand the logistics network globally.

According to the plan, China aims to establish a comprehensive modern transportation system by 2035 with a focus on eco-friendliness.

Referring to the shipping and port sector, Li Xiaopeng, China’s Minister...

http://mfame.guru/china-charts-plan-to-strengthen-transportation-sector/

Barge operators face Illinois Waterway closures, with more to come

The Starved Rock Lock and Dam is one of six sites on the Illinois Waterway where the Corps of Engineers plans to make major repairs. Corps of Engineers Rock Island District photo

Barge operators that use the Illinois Waterway will face the first round of closures in June as preliminary work begins on major repairs to six of eight lock and dam sites along the system that will begin next summer and carry into 2023.

In preparation for significant work next year, bulkhead slots will be installed at Marseilles and Starved Rock locks this summer, requiring a partial closure and width restrictions for 92 days. A full lock closure will then occur for 14 days to install the sill...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/barge-operators-face-illinois-waterway-closures-with-more-to-come/

Opposition from GOP and conservatives imperil Trump’s infrastructure plan

On June 7, 2017, President Donald Trump announced infrastructure plans before the backdrop of a flag-draped barge filled with coal. White House image.

A week after top Democrats and the White House reached a tentative accord to repair the country’s transportation system, the bipartisan gesture seems to be in trouble, putting into question whether promises made by President Trump two years ago on the Ohio River to repair the inland waterways system and other national infrastructure can finally move forward.

The $2 trillion deal reached last Tuesday between the president and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/opposition-from-gop-and-conservatives-imperil-trumps-infrastructure-plan/

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