Happy Holidays from all of us at the Maritime Association of the Port of NY & NJ

As the holiday season unfolds, we want to send our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones.

Your continued support and collaboration mean so much to our daily work, and we are truly grateful.

Wishing you peace, joy, and treasured memories this holiday season.

USCG - Final Rule for Electronic Submission of Mariner Course Completion Data and Changes to Endorsement Titles

The USCG has issued Final Rule for Electronic Submission of Mariner Course Completion Data and Changes to Endorsement Titles wherein they note that the US Coast Guard "has issued a final rule requiring Coast Guard approved training providers to electronically submit student course completion data to the Coast Guard within 5 business days of completion. Training providers have until January 17, 2027, to develop administrative procedures to comply with this final rule. The National Maritime Center will use this information to validate course completion information submitted as part of an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). "

Senate Passes Water Resources Development Act of 2024

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), legislation to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of the nation’s water resources infrastructure.  

The measure approved is the House Amendment to S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which is the bipartisan, bicameral product of several months of negotiations between House and Senate leaders after each chamber passed its own version of WRDA legislation earlier this summer. 

Highlights include:

• Increasing the maximum depth for deepening harbor channels from 50 feet to 55 feet with regard to determining the federal cost share both for a construction project and for operations and maintenance dredging projects. 
• Increasing General Fund support for inland waterway projects for the costs of construction. 
• Supporting beneficial use of dredged materials to facilitate dredging projects and provide key supports for beach nourishment projects and other coastal management needs to drive infrastructure resiliency. 
• Calling for the development and implementation of a framework for integrating, sharing, and using water data for the purpose of improving water resources management.

Global trade set to hit record $33trn this year

Global trade is on track to hit a record $33trn in 2024, according to the latest data from UNCTAD, the United Nations’ trade body. This 3.3% annual growth has been driven largely by a 7% rise in trade in services, contributing $500bn to the overall expansion. Trade in goods has grown at a slower 2% this year, remaining below its 2022 peak.

Despite this growth, UNCTAD is warning that uncertainty looms over 2025 amid risks of trade wars and ongoing geopolitical challenges.

“The 2025 trade outlook is clouded by potential US policy shifts, including broader tariffs that could disrupt global value chains and impact key trading partners,” UNCTAD stated in a release. 

Countries most exposed to changes in US trade policy are likely those with large trade surpluses with the country and higher tariff barriers. Based on 2023 figures for trade in goods, UNCTAD suggested these include China (about $280bn trade surplus), India ($45bn), the European Union ($205bn), and Vietnam ($105bn). 

Updates on the Hudson River Tunnel Project as of 11/18/2024

As reported, the Hudson River Ground Stabilization (HRGS) project will fortify a riverbed section 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.

November 2024 Vessel Stats

Public Notices

USACE has published an applicant’s modification to relocate the proposed pier to the property line between the two applicants, construct two (2) 4-foot (ft) by 11 ft access platforms along the bulkhead, and an 8 ft by 105 ft fixed timber pier that splits

into two (2) 4 ft by 21 ft pier extensions. In addition, two (2) 3 ft by 30 ft gangways leading to two (2) 6 ft by 30 ft floating docks arranged in a U-shape with two (2) 12 ft by 24 ft boat lifts in the center. A total of 67 timber piles are to be installed.

Comments are due by December 24, 2024

USACE has issued a public notice to install a four-foot (ft)-wide by 212-ft-long pier, a three-ft-wide by 40-ft-long gangway, a 12-ft-wide by 35-ft long floating dock with a swim ladder on the west side, and a boat lift on the west side of the waterward pier terminus. A float frame would support the floating dock a minimum of 2.5 ft above the

substrate during periods of low water. Work also includes drilling eleven 18-inch diameter steel piles and eight 12-inch diameter steel piles to support the pier (19 piles total). The total area of the proposed structures is 1,620 square feet below mean high water.

Comments are due by December 29, 2024

USACE has issued a public notice requesting dredging of Jim's Creek, a tributary of the Navesink River.

Comments are due by January 10, 2025

USACE has issued a public notice from the applicant, NYC Department of Sanitation, requesting Department of the Army authorization

for ten year maintenance dredging in Gowanus Bay, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.

Comments are due by January 16, 2025

The New Jersey Offshore Wind Research and Monitoring Initiative is seeking input on a draft update to its existing Short-Term Highest Priority Research & Monitoring Needs.

Comments are due by January 31, 2025

New York State Department of Public Service has requested comments on draft regulations for the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act

Comments are due by March 18, 2025

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Informational Pipelines