U.S. Dredging Industry Fly-In to Capitol Hill
The resolve of the U.S-flagged dredging industry was very evident during their successful fly-in to Washington, D.C., this week, reports Dredging Contractors of America (DCA). DCA delegates representing the private sector U.S.-flagged dredging industry were well received by Congressional leaders and Administration officials. These included: U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (TN), Tim Kaine (VA), Claire McCaskill (MO), Joe Donnelly (IN) and Tina Smith (MN) and from the House Representatives Jim Cooper (TN), Randy Frelinghuysen (NJ), Clay Higgins (LA), French Hill (AZ), Francis Rooney (FL), Peter Roskam (IL) and Randy Weber (TX).
“We thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for their time in meeting with the dredging companies,” said Dredging Contractors of America CEO and Executive Director William P. Doyle. “I want to personally thank Admiral Mark Buzby, administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration; Skip Elliott, administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Drue Pearce, deputy PHMSA administrator, and their staffs for making time in their schedules to meet with us.”
The DCA delegation to Capitol Hill was led by industry leaders Devon Carlock (Cottrell Contracting), Bill Hanson (Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company), Phyllis Harden (Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel), Dan Hussin (Manson Construction, Co.), Chris Kirk (Jay Cashman, Inc.), Fred Paup (Manson Construction) and Ted Smith (Marine Tech).
“Our companies ensure that the America’s ports are big ship ready for expediting U.S. Exports,” Doyle said. “The U.S dredging industry has the capacity to fulfill all dredging projects in the United States. The U.S.-flagged dredging fleet totals more than 400 dredges.”
DCA’s Assistant Executive Director Michael Gerhardt stated, “The U.S.-flag dredging industry is in a period of strong growth. This sector has recently invested over a billion dollars in U.S. shipyards constructing approximately 30 new vessels including dredges, barges, tugs and other equipment.”
The Dredging Contractors of America is a non-profit trade association that represents the interests of the U.S. dredging and marine construction industry and its members for more than 30 years.
