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Partnerships: Canaveral, New Orleans

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Port Canaveral proposes sharing under-utilized NASA and Air Force land in a partnership that would reduce operating costs to the federal government and allow for port expansion and rail connectivity. The Port of New Orleans has entered into a partnership with the Merritt C. Becker University of New Orleans Transportation Institute that will focus on transportation research, community outreach and workforce development.

Canaveral Offers Joint-Use Proposal with NASA, Air Force Facilities

In official testimony during a Congressional House Transportation Subcommittee field hearing last week at Kennedy Space Center, Port Canaveral CEO John E. Walsh proposed sharing under-utilized NASA and Air Force land in a partnership that would reduce operating costs to the federal government and allow for port expansion and rail connectivity.
 
"This rail and land discussed today can allow the Canaveral Port Authority to do our part and put 10,000 to 15,000 people to work," Mr. Walsh said. "If we can send rovers to Mars, surely we can connect 10 miles of railroad in a technology that has been done since the 1800s. I believe we can redefine our future now. We need a strong infrastructure system to link ourselves to the new world economy."

In 2012, port staff began discussing rail connection to Port Canaveral with Kennedy Space Center planners. The port authority regards direct rail as a critical component for a dynamic and vibrant cargo business at Port Canaveral. It has invested $70 million in two deep-water berths that will be served by ship-to-shore Post-Panamax cranes that will be arriving this March. An additional $50 million in capital spending is under way for terminal backup areas with $150 million more to be spent to fully develop cargo capacity.

The port authority is pursuing release by NASA on a 100-acre overlap of the NASA boundary in the lower Banana River to see if the south boundary of NASA safety zone north of port submerged land can be moved north in order to allow for future expansion. In addition, the port authority has asked to lease land adjacent to the middle basin from the Air Force to further invest in cargo berths. Both proposals are under review. Port staff is hopeful each effort can be expedited as NASA and Air Force approvals will determine timing on thousands of jobs.

The U.S. House Transportation subcommittee members urged NASA and Air Force officials to continue serious discussions and consideration of the port’s proposals and applauded the port’s focus on job creation and economic diversity.  

"We appreciate efforts and help from NASA and the 45th Space Wing so far," Mr. Walsh added. "Our hope is to do right of way and operating agreements with NASA and Kennedy Space Center concurrently with the EIS process. It is imperative to get Brevard County every job we can as fast as we can and thousands of jobs can be created as soon as we can connect to Florida East Coast. Together and with NASA’s help, we can create these jobs faster."

At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, witnesses are sworn in prior to a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives. From left are Bob Cabana, director of the Kennedy Space Center; Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, commander of the 45th Space Wing and director of the Eastern Range at Patrick Air Force Base; John Smith, regional commissioner of the U.S. General Services Administration; Jim Kuzma, chief operating officer of Space Florida; Charles Lee of the Audubon Society; and John Walsh, chief executive officer of the Canaveral Port Authority. The Congressional hearing took place to review plans for putting vacant buildings and excess property at the Kennedy Space Center to their best and most productive use.
Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper

Port of New Orleans Partners with University Transportation Institute

The Port of New Orleans has entered into a partnership with the Merritt C. Becker University of New Orleans Transportation Institute that will focus on transportation research, community outreach and workforce development. In support of these projects, the port will provide an in-kind match of organizational resources worth approximately $215,000 to the UNO Transportation Institute.

"This partnership with the University of New Orleans will promote economic development throughout the entire maritime community on the Lower Mississippi River," said Port President Gary LaGrange, PPM®. "By collaborating with stakeholders and utilizing the academic expertise of university leaders, we will enhance our community outreach efforts, strengthen the region's competitiveness and address future workforce needs through research and education initiatives. We look forward to continuing and growing our long-standing relationship with UNO."

The UNO Transportation Institute is a partner in two maritime-related university transportation centers established by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The purpose of these centers is to advance U.S. technology and expertise in transportation through research, education and outreach while addressing vital workforce needs for the next generation of transportation leaders. 
 
To fulfill its obligation as a member of these centers, the UNO Transportation Institute, in partnership with the Port of New Orleans, will engage in a number of projects including:
  • Investigate the best practices of liquefied natural gas bunkering.
  • Analyze the maritime industry’s progress on e-Navigation, a concept designed to bring about increased safety and security in commercial shipping through better organization and exchange of data. 
  • Hold a maritime workforce summit to educate high school and college students about maritime careers and connect employers with those seeking jobs in the maritime industry.
  • Develop a web-based K-12 maritime curriculum that will educate students about the history of the Port of New Orleans, its current operations and its international economic impact.
  • Work to establish Louisiana’s first chapter of the Women in Transportation Seminar, an international organization dedicated to building the future of transportation through the global advancement of women.
The port’s in-kind match of organizational resources includes facility space, personnel time, equipment and software.

The Merritt C. Becker University of New Orleans Transportation Institute focuses on the role of transportation in creating a sustainable, livable and resilient future. Faculty and staff associated with the institute are recognized for their expertise in transportation policy, maritime and port planning, evacuation planning, transit and streetcars, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and transit-oriented development.
 

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