As the Nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 16th, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that: “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special…

On March 13th, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin in the wake of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Here are two (2) very important messages: Symptoms to look for, and Reporting illness requirements Vessel Reporting Requirements for Illness or Death An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting mariners…

The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hold a Members’ Day Hearing to examine Members’ priorities in development of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). The hearing, which will take place on Thursday, February 27th at 10:00 am Eastern, is an opportunity for all Members of the House of Representatives to highlight…

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc. (IRPT) is excited to welcome Dede Smith to the IRPT staff as the new Deputy Director of IRPT. Ms. Smith began working for the association on January 2nd of 2020. Before joining the IRPT team, Dede held the position of Director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission for 2 ½…

Many of you have reviewed the Department of Transportation’s request for information regarding the new ROUTES Initiative sent by IRPT today. Further, many of you have noticed that the ROUTES Initiative is to be coordinated by Federal Highway, Federal Transit, Federal Rail and Federal Aviation Administrations. IRPT believes that Maritime Administration should be included as…

Dear Congress, A few words from the inland ports and terminals, and the smaller coastal ports, all of whom serve the 12,000 miles of navigable waterways of the United States. First, let us say that we are indeed grateful for all that you have done and continue to do to support our nation’s inland and…

Contact: Miranda Cook mcook@irpt.net (618) 468-3011 Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals to Honor Industry Leaders Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc. (IRPT) is proud to announce that they will be honoring regional leaders of the inland river transportation system at its National Annual Meeting being held in Baton Rouge next month.…

In a press conference at headquarters yesterday, the senior leaders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers laid out the details of the FY2020 budget for the Civil Works program. On hand were the Honorable RD James, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works); LTG Todd Semonite, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers; MG Scott…

Missouri River Stakeholders Meet with Corps, Coast Guard If there’s one thing Missouri River stakeholders want shippers to know, it’s that the river is open for business and has been for a long time. That statement was recurrent throughout the one-day meeting held in Kansas City, Mo., February 13.Approximately 150 attendees—the best-attended meeting for the…

Senate Bill to Equal Competition for Grant Funding U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) has introduced a bill (S.3587) to improve the nation’s freight systems by making key investments in ports, railways and intermodal hubs by changing the funding arrangements in the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program, which was created as part of Fixing…