Barge Fleets Banned On Lower Hudson River

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which became law January 1  after Congress overrode President Donald Trump’s veto, includes a ban on oil barges and other commercial vessels fleeting or permanently tying up on the banks of a portion of the lower Hudson River.

The measure was introduced by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat who represents the district in Congress. Maloney introduced the measure in his role as chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.

The Coast Guard had originally proposed a total of 10 anchorage grounds at which vessels could tie up, with a June 9, 2016, notice in the Federal Register, following requests from the Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey Tug and Barge Committee, the Hudson River Port Pilot’s Association, and The American Waterways Operators. The initial plan was to put 10 anchorages in the river between Yonkers and Kingston that would have contained more than 40 berths.

The proposal sparked opposition among residents, local officials and environmental groups. In a statement, Maloney said, “We are the gatekeepers of the Hudson River, and it’s up to us to be good stewards of the river so New Yorkers can enjoy it for generations to come.”