Ports & Harbors

Connecting Science, Research and the Port Community

     The 21st Century Marine Transportation System includes 1,000 harbor channels, 300 ports, 25,000 miles of inland, intracoastal and coastal waterways and 1,900 deep-draft terminals, all of which connect to 152,000 miles of rail, 460,000 miles of pipeline and 45,000 miles of interstate highways.
     Few can imagine a time when ports will not be needed. At the same time, there are issues associated with ports that have no easy, “overnight” solution: growth, containerization, dredging, environmental impacts and security concerns. It will take a coordinated effort of industry, federal and local officials and the residents and stakeholders in each port locale.
     The National Sea Grant Program made a commitment in 2002 to extend its expertise to the port community and established a National Ports and Harbors Specialist position to provide a focal point for national ports and harbors and marine transportation issues; to help develop a network of Sea Grant researchers and outreach staff to address these issues; to conduct research; and to provide outreach to the Sea Grant Network, NOAA and other federal agencies, and to the ports and harbors industry.
     Jim Kruse, the current specialist, is located in Houston.

Publications

The Tom Dowd Collection