Congress Concerned About NOAA Proposal

Amid the ongoing debate on the NOAA proposal to expand speed restrictions, 55 Members of Congress wrote to the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs asking that the pending rule be returned to NOAA for further consideration. Of concern is that NOAA has not thoroughly explored all possible alternatives—including the use of innovative detection technologies—to reduce whale vessel strikes, fully evaluated stakeholder comments, or sufficiently analyzed the devastating consequences the proposed changes pose to affected industries. 

In June, the Maritime Association, along with fellow members from NAMO (National Association of Maritime Organizations), had a conference call with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to note its opposition to the proposed rule. We are committed to following this proposed action and continuing to advocate against its adverse effects on commerce, navigational safety, and the environment.

Protect Anchoring on the Hudson River

The Maritime Association, along with many industry partners and organizations, are expressing opposition to the Hudson River Protection Act, legislation authored by Representatives Patrick Ryan (D-NY) and Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and included in the Coast Guard authorization bill, that would ban anchorages on the Hudson River. Joint letters have been sent urging Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) to remove this language from the Coast Guard authorization bill, emphasizing the importance of anchoring for navigation safety, especially during inclement weather. 

The Maritime Association signed onto a letter with the AWO (American Waterway Operators) and NAMO (National Association of Maritime Organizations).

There has also been media coverage on this issue in Maritime Executive and MarineLog.

Updated Safety Zone to the Hudson River Tunnel Project

As reported in last month's newsletter the Hudson River Ground Stabilization (HRGS) project will fortify a section of the riverbed to enable tunnel boring machine operations for the future Hudson River Tunnel.

The Hudson Tunnel Project will conduct marine surveys from July 1, 2024 – January 20, 2025.

July 2024 Vessel Stats

Public Notices

The U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System has published an RFI that seeks to identify what planning guidance, data sources, and grants U.S. ports have used in planning for long-term environmental change and to determine whether there are any barriers to action in planning for the future.

Responses are due by August 29, 2024.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Hackensack River. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of life on these navigable waters near the Portal Bridge during construction between November 2024 and December 2025. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port of New York or a designated representative.

Comments must be received by the Coast Guard on or before September 3, 2024.

NYCEDC is inviting eligible entities to submit a proposal in response to the We Source NYC Business Technical Assistance Program Request for Proposals ("RFP") to fulfill industry demand for goods and services in the offshore wind (“OSW”) industry.

Through this RFP, NYCEDC seeks to enter into an agreement with a consultant to operate a comprehensive business technical assistance and communications program to develop the capabilities of local small- and medium-sized manufacturers, construction service providers, and industrial equipment suppliers (“Local Suppliers”) to capture contract opportunities in regional OSW supply chains.

Submissions are due by September 4, 2024.

RFEI for Development and Use of Property Located at Port Jersey South, Bayonne, New Jersey.

Responses are due by September 9, 2024.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will auction up to $20 million in corporate and insurance premiums tax credits through the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction. Applications for the auction will open on August 28, 2024. The proceeds of the auction will fund programs aimed to improve and increase access to healthy and affordable food throughout New Jersey’s 50 Food Desert Communities (FDCs).

Eligible bidders must be New Jersey Corporation Business Tax or Insurance Premiums Tax filers. Companies do not need to be in a food desert or in the food industry to buy tax credits through the auction. Companies can bid for tax credits at a discount of up to 15 percent.

Companies bidding DO NOT need to be food-related, but they do need to have an NJ CBT or Insurance Premiums tax obligation large enough to use the minimum purchase of $500K in credits. 

Applications will open on August 28, 2024, and close on September 27, 2024.

On April 26th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced amendments to its Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program user fees that will take effect on October 1, 2024.

The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill eleven vacancies on the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (Committee). This Committee advises the Secretary of Homeland Security via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine, including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners.

Complete applications must reach the U.S. Coast Guard on or before October 1, 2024.

NOAA announced the FY26 Brennan Matching Fund opportunity. This notice invites non-Federal entities to partner with the ocean and coastal mapping programs of NOAA's National Ocean Service on jointly funded projects of mutual interest. It establishes selection criteria and submission requirements for such projects under the NOAA Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund program.

Applications are due by October 11, 2024.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Informational Pipelines