‘The North Atlantic Ports Association Inc., founded in 1949, is one of the oldest and most active trade associations of commercial seaports. Our goal is to promote ocean commerce in a responsible manner in order to strengthen the national economy and help our communities to prosper. Our members are connected to seaports and ocean commerce in some way: terminal operators, stevedores, port authorities, governmental agencies, non-profits, consultants, academics, maritime lawyers, ships’ agents and are all located between Virginia and the Canadian Maritimes.
We are interested in expanding trade among nations and in helping our local communities to prosper through growth in ocean commerce. As the economy becomes ever more global, our role in the world-wide supply chain has increased in importance. We have witnessed the competition for space amongst the numerous ocean-based business sectors either currently operating or planning to operate in our ocean and ports. Coordinated planning is critical to ensure the current and future needs of our industry are considered and accommodated as the ocean and ports become more crowded.
We, the members of the North Atlantic Ports Association, resolved to ask our leaders in Washington “to utilize existing federal programs in support of the rapid development of the Marine Highway System to ease roadway corridor congestion, reduce infrastructure costs, provide for improved safety and security, and to have a positive environmental impact to the benefit of the general public.” It is important to us that Regional Ocean Partnerships have the funding necessary to continue this regional ocean coordination and planning work, and that federal legislation does not interfere with the process.’