http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ports/ en-us Sat, 2 Jan 2010 01:34:02 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419276/posts Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday he will ask Boston’s lawyers to see whether the city can block Yemeni tankers from delivering liquefied natural gas into Boston Harbor, calling such deliveries “wrong.’’ “We’re in extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of our city,’’ the mayor said in an interview. “They cannot be coming into a harbor like Boston, where there is less than 50 feet between the tankers and residential areas.’ -snip- The Globe reported yesterday that shipments of liquefied natural gas from Yemen are scheduled to arrive for the first time in Boston as... The Boston Glob http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419276/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 01:34:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395716/posts Filiberto Cervantes has already separated from his wife and kids, lost his car, moved into his truck and says he subsists largely on a diet of $1 cheese burritos. But Jan. 1 looms like a date with the grim reaper himself. ... Cervantes is among thousands of truckers servicing the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex who are facing a day of reckoning this New Year's. That's because Jan. 1 is the day new clean-air guidelines go into effect at the ports, banning all pre-1994 trucks -- as well as 1994-2003 rigs that have not been retrofitted with costly diesel particulate... LA Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395716/posts#comment Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:55:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394600/posts Dubai is asking creditors to accept a six-month suspension on debt repayments for its severely cash-strapped conglomerate Dubai World. The government of the Gulf emirate has also appointed consultants Deloitte to restructure state-run Dubai World's operations. The group includes property developer Nakheel, which built one of the state's most ostentatious projects, the palm-shaped, man-made residential islands of the Palm Jumeirah. The conglomerate also includes DP World, owner of the former P&O ports operator. According to Nakheel, Dubai World has $59bn (£35bn) of liabilities, a large proportion of Dubai's total debt of $80bn (£47bn). The emirate's government said in a statement:... Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2394600/posts#comment Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:11:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271800/posts Slight April gain over March gives weak signal for peak season Container volumes at U.S. ports edged up in April compared to March, but remained well below the volumes recorded in April 2008, according to the monthly Port Tracker published by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. The second half of 2009 appears to be trending the same way the first half progressed, with containerized imports creeping up compared to the month before, but down noticeably from the same month last year. It therefore looks like the back-to-school shopping season this summer, traditionally the second busiest period on... The Journal of Commerce Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271800/posts#comment Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:56:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230724/posts <p>A federal judge in Washington refused Wednesday to halt the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach's clean-truck program, which aims to phase out 17,000 polluting big rigs that shuttle freight to and from rail terminals and other transport hubs.</p> LA Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230724/posts#comment Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:59:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2212254/posts CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela's federal government seized seaports and airstrips in at least four states on Saturday, a move critics say is meant to limit the powers of mayors and governors opposed to President Hugo Chavez. The takeover, ordered by Venezuela's socialist president last weekend and approved by lawmakers, aims to bring the country's major transportation hubs under federal control this year. FOX/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2212254/posts#comment Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:43:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211811/posts Venezuela military 'seizes ports' Venezuela's military has taken control of key airports and sea ports under the terms of a move rubber-stamped by parliament a week ago, reports say. The move centralises the running of the country's main transport hubs. President Hugo Chavez has pushed for the move, describing it as "reunifying the motherland, which was in pieces". Critics of Mr Chavez says the plans are unconstitutional, but the National Assembly backed them a week ago, saying they would improve essential services. State-level governments in Venezuela have controlled the country's most important airports, sea ports and major highways since a... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211811/posts#comment Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:20:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211729/posts CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government seized seaports and airstrips in at least four states on Saturday, a move that critics say is meant to limit the powers of mayors, governors and other potential rivals to President Hugo Chavez. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211729/posts#comment Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:51:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211698/posts Venezuela's military has taken control of key airports and sea ports under the terms of a move rubber-stamped by parliament a week ago, reports say. The move centralises the running of the country's main transport hubs. President Hugo Chavez has pushed for the move, describing it as "reunifying the motherland, which was in pieces". Critics of Mr Chavez says the plans are unconstitutional, but the National Assembly backed them a week ago, saying they would improve essential services. State-level governments in Venezuela have controlled the country's most important airports, sea ports and major highways since a move towards decentralisation began... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211698/posts#comment Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:46:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2197774/posts February imports fall 18.1% in L.A. and Long Beach. Other West Coast harbors see even worse declines. The international trade business is foundering faster than ever seen before, with some U.S. seaports watching cargo traffic fall by more than a third. It's gotten so bad that Los Angeles and Long Beach are slashing cargo rates to keep old customers and lure new business. Oakland's port has laid off 12% of its staff and canceled free tours for the public. The number of ships idled around the world is approaching three times the number that were out of work during the... Los Angeles Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2197774/posts#comment Tue, 3 Mar 2009 02:13:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2194367/posts Paper no. 3068 Admiral Sureesh Mehta, the Chief of the Naval Staff sounded a stern warning on 18th February 2009, about the possibility of nuclear weapons being smuggled in to the country through the ever increasing container traffic. The warning was issued at a seminar to discuss Port Development and related security issues. At one level, there is nothing new in the warning. Similar warnings were issued post 9/11 by US and other maritime analysts who expected the seas to be the next medium for transportation and manifestation of terror. It is this fear that prompted the US to examine... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2194367/posts#comment Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:21:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2189357/posts Remember the furor back in 2006 over the news that a Dubai-based company was going to buy a ship terminal operator in the United States? Remember how all of a sudden many Americans decided against letting a foreign company operate cargo terminals inside the US, despite the fact that the same terminals were already being operated by a foreign corporation? (P&O Ports, UK) Remember how nobody, including Congress, wanted to take a second and actually investigate what risks there were, if any, given that this purchase would not have changed the fact that the US Coast Guard would have remained... US Naval Institute Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2189357/posts#comment Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:27:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2165627/posts The United States will need $1.6 trillion to repair damage to its infrastructure from a massive influx of immigrants, a new report reveals. In his report titled, "The Twin Crises: Immigration and Infrastructure," prominent researcher Edwin S. Rubenstein examines 15 categories of infrastructure: airports, border security, bridges, dams and levees, electricity (the power grids), hazardous waste removal , hospitals, mass transit, parks and recreation facilities, ports and navigable waterways, public schools, railroads, roads and highways, solid waste and trash, and water and sewer systems. Rubenstein, a financial analyst and former contributing editor of Forbes and economics editor of National Review,... WorldNetDaily.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2165627/posts#comment Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:08:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075733/posts The Texas Department of Transportation is asking Nueces County residents to attend a public meeting in Driscoll to comment and provide input on proposed upgrades of US 77 to a controlled access facility that meets interstate standards. The purpose of the meetings is to review proposed options for upgrading US 77 and to present recommendations, TxDOT officials said. The first round public meetings were held in early March. This second round of public meetings is being held as part of TxDOT's continued effort to gain public input on issues related to proposed improvements and to provide an opportunity for public... The Nueces County Record Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075733/posts#comment Sat, 6 Sep 2008 01:13:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2064380/posts POTI, Georgia - Russian soldiers took about 20 Georgians in military uniform prisoner at a key Black Sea port in western Georgia on Tuesday, blindfolding them and holding them at gunpoint, and commandeered American Humvees awaiting shipment back to the United States. yahoo news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2064380/posts#comment Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:24:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034519/posts ABU DHABI — A leading Gulf firm in the United Arab Emirates whose plans to operate six U.S. ports was last year rebuffed by Congress, has been certified as a partner in a U.S. port security program. The state-owned Dubai Ports World has been certified as a partner in the Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism. DP World underwent a successful audit that determined the company met international ISO 28000 security standards required by C-TPAT. In 2007, DP abandoned plans to purchase a British company that operated six major ports in the United States, Middle East Newsline reported. Congress was opposed to... World Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034519/posts#comment Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:46:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009638/posts County commissioners reaffirmed their stance against the Trans-Texas Corridor, and they took another step toward keeping county government transparent when they met Tuesday. First up on the court's agenda, commissioners heard a presentation by Connie Fogle on behalf of the newly formed Pineywoods Sub-Regional Planning Commission. According to Fogle, the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 391, requires state agencies to coordinate with local commissions to "ensure effective and orderly implementation of state programs at the regional level." "Critical in the code is the word 'coordinate,'" she said. "This does not mean the commission has to cooperate. The intent is to... The Daily Sentinel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009638/posts#comment Thu, 1 May 2008 12:34:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1995430/posts Thanks to an extended comment deadline, almost three weeks remain for people to let their feelings be known about the Trans-Texas Corridor. The most recent study of the proposal, which includes a stretch in Fort Bend County, must be approved by the federal government for the Texas Department of Transportation to proceed with planning and, eventually, construction. TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration have extended their formal comment period through April 18. During this time, individuals are encouraged to submit written comments on either the project itself or what is called the Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS), which is a... The Fort Bend Herald and Texas Coaster http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1995430/posts#comment Wed, 2 Apr 2008 13:15:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987300/posts Plots by Communists to infiltrate America. The disintegration of borders and rural areas. Citizens mobilizing and rising up against government agencies and big business. It all sounds like the plot for a summer blockbuster, but it's something that could be happening in your own backyard. These were just a few of the topics addressed in the "How to fight the TTC" workshop, held Monday at the Pitser Garrison Civic Center in Lufkin. The conference served as an informational meeting aimed at informing citizens and local government officials how they can unite in trying to stop the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor project.... The Lufkin Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987300/posts#comment Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:19:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1984804/posts Arriving in the Port of Oakland at 6 a.m. last Thursday, the grey-blue colossus auto carrier Century Highway No. 3 carries enough cars to fill all the parking lots surrounding the Giants stadium — a mere fraction of the average 368 million annual tons of autos, toys, and other goods moving through the 29 ports along America's Pacific coast. Could there be a force of man or nature powerful enough to interrupt this perpetual merchandise tsunami? Would you believe — San Francisco radical peaceniks? On May 1, the usually bustling ports along the West Coast will become still, as members... SF Weekly http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1984804/posts#comment Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:16:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1982970/posts Topic: Globalism The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is planning on building a new super highway system called the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC). The Trans-Texas Corridor will not be just another interstate and will it will be used by more than just automobiles. It will include 10 lanes for traffic, two high speed rail tracks, four standard rail tracks, utility lines, oil pipelines, and gas pipelines. The Trans-Texas Corridor will consist of many corridors segments that are 1,200 feet wide, with each mile consuming 146 acres of land. This land is currently ranch and farm land that is being taken by... Nolan Chart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1982970/posts#comment Sun, 9 Mar 2008 20:08:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980376/posts REFUGIO, Texas - With an abandoned Wild West-vintage town of storefronts slumbering just a block from old US 77, tiny Refugio is a place where myth and reality coexist in a ghostly silence. more stories like this Obama faces heat over aide's NAFTA remarks to Canadians Texas, Ohio could decide Dem nomination Canada says didn't misrepresent Obama over NAFTA McCain tags Dems on trade treaty NAFTA seen differently in Ohio, Texas And now this South Texas outpost is swept up in one of the more intriguing tests of myth vs. reality in today's political life: the battle over the so-called... The Boston Globe http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980376/posts#comment Tue, 4 Mar 2008 21:28:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1971590/posts TEXAS CITY — A massive superhighway that Texans have protested at public hearings statewide drew heated opposition among Galveston County residents, who said they feared the toll road would cripple the local shipping industry and do nothing to improve insufficient hurricane evacuation routes. The Trans-Texas Corridor would wind from Laredo to Corpus Christi, wrap around the western edge of Greater Houston, parallel Interstate 59 through East Texas and leave the state in Texarkana. But residents at a public hearing Thursday night in Texas City questioned the real purpose for the road, which would also be part of a national Interstate... Galveston County Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1971590/posts#comment Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:10:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1971199/posts NACOGDOCHES — The rows of extra chairs brought into the The Fredonia's biggest meeting room Thursday night were not enough to accommodate more than 750 people who attended an open house and public hearing on the proposed TTC-69 highway. Texas Department of Transportation officials heard hours of public testimony that continued late into the night overwhelmingly opposed to the construction of new roadways through East Texas. Applause throughout the hours-long meeting never swelled as loudly as it did when the first speaker of the night, state Rep. Wayne Christian, told TxDOT representatives emphatically that "our answer is 'no' on the... Lufkin Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1971199/posts#comment Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:53:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1967289/posts Sometimes the truth just has a way of coming to light. A public information officer with the Texas Department of Transportation this week wrote a column in the Herald-Press describing the financial woes facing TxDOT and how because of those problems the state’s transportation department doesn’t have the money to deal with many of the state’s transportation issues. Apparently, several of the state’s senators do not feel that is the case at all. David Dewhurst called out the state’s interim chairwoman of the Texas Transportation Commission, Hope Andrade, on this very issue, according to a story from the Associated Press.... Palestine Herald-Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1967289/posts#comment Fri, 8 Feb 2008 20:59:57 GMT