Infraestructura de Transporte Marítimo | Maritime Transportation Infrastructure

[Jaykar]

13 Octubre 2010
7:55 p.m.

Buscan reanudar el ferry entre Puerto Rico y la República Dominicana
El gobernador Luis Fortuño y el presidente Leonel Fernández se comprometieron a intervenir

Por Agencia EFE

Santo Domingo- El presidente de la República Dominicana, Leonel Fernández y el gobernador de Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño, se comprometieron hoy a intervenir a favor de la reanudación de las operaciones del ferry que une a la isla con el país caribeño.

Los dos gobernantes acordaron crear una comisión para resolver el contencioso entre empresas privadas que mantiene suspendido desde abril pasado el ferry que cubre la ruta Mayagüez-Santo Domingo.

Fortuño, quien se encuentra de visita en la República Dominicana, destacó en declaraciones desde la sede de la Presidencia local la importancia que supone para Puerto Rico y el país caribeño este transporte de personas y mercancías.

La compañía Ferries del Caribe anunció el abril pasado que interrumpía indefinidamente su servicio de transporte de pasajeros entre Puerto Rico y la República Dominicana, medida que no afecta al flujo de carga que mantiene a través de su subsidiaria Marine Express.

La decisión fue adoptada, según el presidente de Ferries del Caribe, Néstor González, por las elevadas tarifas que impone el operador del Puerto de Mayagüez -desde el que parten los barcos de la compañía en Puerto Rico-, Holland Group Port Investment, que según aseguró superan las establecidas por el regulador.

Ferries del Caribe ha enlazado las dos islas caribeñas durante los pasados 12 años principalmente a través del Puerto de Mayagüez en Puerto Rico.

[islandtransit]

wooo bring the ferry back!

[Fireangel]

Originally Posted by yosoyelrey

En mi opinion debieron colocarla en otro lugar, ya fuera en un parque como arte urbano... no se sabe cual sera el paradero? or sera totalmente demolida? reciclar es siempre bueno!

El costo de relocalizarlo hubiese sido prohibitivo, especialmente tomando en consideración que no se puede encontrar ni sitio ni chavos para la monumental estatua de Colón.

Y el problema no era que el crucero no cabía; es que no había margen de error para los “tugs” ni para maniobrar.

[Jaykar]

Otro puerto para Ponce
Complementaría el Puerto de las Américas

Por Yaritza Santiago / ysantiago1@elnuevodia.com

Con miras a fortalecer el turismo en el área sur de la Isla, el Senado estudia la viabilidad de proponer el desarrollo de un muelle y terminal turístico en el Puerto de Ponce que sea complementario e integral al Puerto de las Américas, Rafael Cordero Santiago.

Este cuerpo legislativo ya recibió el informe final de la Comisión senatorial de Urbanismo e Infraestructura avalando el desarrollo. No obstante, recomienda primero realizar un estudio de viabilidad sobre cuál sería la mejor localidad para construir la estructura.

El informe final es producto de la Resolución del Senado 548 radicada por el senador presidente de la Comisión de Urbanismo, Larry Seilhamer, quien ordenó a su comisión realizar una investigación y evaluación para determinar la mejor ubicación para el desarrollo de un terminal y muelle turístico en el puerto ponceño.

En su exposición de motivos, el senador sostiene que el desarrollo del Puerto de las Américas tendrá un impacto positivo e inmediato en la economía de Ponce, toda el área sur de Puerto Rico, así como en el resto de la Isla.

Sin embargo, “este impacto económico está en estos momentos destinado al área comercial. El impacto económico del Puerto de las Américas podría ser aún mayor si se le añade un muelle o terminal de turismo. Este muelle turístico crearía cientos de empleos directos e indirectos y resultaría en un aumento de visitantes, turistas y puertorriqueños deseosos de conocer los atractivos turísticos que nuestra bella isla puede ofrecer”, sostuvo en la medida.

El desarrollo del proyecto tuvo el aval de varias entidades públicas y privadas. La Autoridad del Puerto de las Amércias, fue una. En su ponencia, su directora ejecutiva, Rhonda Castillo, dijo que el proyecto podrá maximizar el desarrollo de la zona sur.

No obstante, destacó la necesidad de integrar a todas las partes que podrían ser impactadas por este desarrollo para no afectar las operaciones del megapuerto.

Señaló, además, que aunque actualmente el Puerto de Ponce cuenta con facilidades para recibir barcos cruceros, el uso de esos muelles para fines turísticos debe ser temporero pues al comenzar el Puerto de las Américas todas sus operaciones no se podrán recibir los megahoteles flotantes en el área.

La Compañía de Turismo fue otra que avaló el desarrollo turístico y recomendó que se consulte a la Autoridad de los Puertos sobre la necesidad de añadir infraestructura o instalaciones para así convertir al Puerto de Las Américas en un centro regional o internacional para barcos cruceros.

El Municipio de Ponce solicitó ser el promotor principal del proyecto, según el informe, y recomendó que la mejor ubicación para el futuro desarrollo del terminal y el muelle turístico sea en el muelle conocido como Caribe Tuna y el área aledaña.

Este muelle ubica al noroeste del paseo tablado La Guancha y al norte del Club Náutivo de ese municipio. El muelle cuenta con 350 pies de largo y 29 pies de profundidad en su frente.

Por su parte, la Cámara de Comercio del Sur apoyó también el desarrollo del puerto turístico por entender necesario acoplar la región sur a la oferta turística de la Isla y así generar empleos, fortaleciendo así la economía de toda la región sureña.

[luisr]

BAAAAAJJJJJ Otro proyecto más que van a desarrollar igualito que el PLA.

[prince draco]

pero demonios no han terminad los tramites de uno y ya quieren otro...terminen el PLA pónganlo a funcionar y después bregan con el otro muelle...pero no desvistan a un santo para vestir otro

[NUMERATZI]

Competiran con los puertos del viejo san juan? TAN TAN TAN! Ponce vs San Juan :P

[Ultramatic]

Crowley launching new roll-on/roll-off service between PR, DR and St. Thomas

By CB Online Staff
cbnews@caribbeanbusinesspr.com

Crowley Maritime Corp. is launching a new roll-on/roll-off weekly shipping service that will serve the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. The Jacksonville-based transportation company, which will start the service March 17, touted the benefits for customers in the islands and those shipping cargo to the Caribbean through its terminals in Jacksonville and New Jersey.
“This innovative service provides full connectivity between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as well as a wide variety of locations up the U.S. East Coast and into the rest of the Caribbean,” said Matt Jackson, Crowley’s vice president of Caribbean services.
“Additionally, as a [roll-on/roll-off] service, we will be able to handle project cargo, including heavy and oversized shipments, in addition to our standard and refrigerated container shipments,” he said in a statement.
Jackson said the leg from Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas is particularly important.
“Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean will benefit greatly from the commodities produced by the Dominican Republic – products like pharmaceuticals, steel and rebar, beverages and produce. There are real opportunities for the new service because of the need in these areas,” he said.
The first sailing with the Crowley Shipper departs San Juan on Thursday, March 17, for arrival in St. Thomas Friday morning. The ship will depart later that day and arrive back in San Juan on Saturday. From there, the vessel leaves Saturday for Santo Domingo, arriving on Sunday. The ship then returns to San Juan arriving on Monday. The rotation begins again on Thursday.
Cargoes in the Northeast departing from Crowley’s Pennsauken, N.J., terminal are scheduled to connect with the new Ro/Ro service on Thursdays, and cargoes in the South Atlantic, departing from Crowley’s Jacksonville terminal, are scheduled to connect with the new service in San Juan on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Crowley provides supply chain services, trucking and freight forwarding and shipping service from the U.S. to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba.
“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our liner capabilities to better serve our customers,” said Crowley’s Tony Otero, vice president for Dominican Republic/Haiti and Cuba liner services. “Crowley has been serving these markets for many years and is committed to continually providing the best solutions for the region’s transportation needs. The Caribbean market continues to be an integral part of growing our company.”
http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/n...=55004&ct_id=1

[Ferdek]

PR-DR passenger ferry launch on hold
By CB Online Staff
cbnews@caribbeanbusinesspr.com


America Cruise Ferries has throttled down on plans to launch passenger service between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Passenger service had been scheduled to start April 11. However, the service has been delayed indefinitely pending certification from federal authorities to carry passengers, according to Marine Express, agents for America Cruise Ferries.

America Cruise Ferries launched cargo service last month with cargo bound from the ports of San Juan and Mayagüez crossing the Mona Passage to Santo Domingo in three round trips weekly.

Marine Express officials were aiming for a reshuffled May start date for passenger service as work continues to land regulatory approval and on upgrades to the 650-foot “Caribbean Fantasy.”

America Cruise Ferries, which is incorporated in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the U.S., is a joint venture among French, Mexican and Puerto Rican investors. Its aim was to fill the void left by the idling of Ferries del Caribe last year amid a legal dispute over fees at the Port of Mayagüez.

Ferries del Caribe’s “Caribbean Express” carried about 170,000 passengers, 19,000 passenger vehicles and 11,000 trucks annually. The service was plagued by disagreements between Ferries del Caribe, the private operator of the Port of Mayagüez and the quasi-public Ports Commission.

The Caribbean Fantasy has a casino, nightclub, piano bar, jewelry and duty-free shops, a beauty salon and a swimming pool. The vessel has seven levels, three of which will be open to passengers, with 140 cabins and 450 seats. It will also be able to carry a combination of 160 cargo containers and 90 vehicles during a given crossing.

America Cruise Ferries partner Daniel Berrebi said earlier this year that the company has sunk $65 million into the venture. Plans call for the service to be extended to other Caribbean islands, including Cuba, in the future.

The new service was expected to sustain some 100 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs in both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and has been lauded by Puerto Rico Tourism Co. and other government officials as a boon for tourism and business opportunities on the island.

http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/n...id=1&ct_name=1

[islandtransit]

Interesting that they want to expand to other islands. I've always imagined some sort of ferry network throughout the Caribbean connecting Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba. From the outter fringes they could have cruise ferries connecting to Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, and the US.

[luisr]

El problema son las distancias envueltas. El Caribe es bastante grande. Se toma más de un día cruzar desde Venezuela a Puerto Rico a menos que sea un ferry que viaje a alta velocidad.

[islandtransit]

Por eso yo dije cruise ferry para esos tramos tan largas

[Ultramatic]

ATM: Vieques gas pinch not our fault

By CB Online Staff
cbnews@caribbeanbusinesspr.com

Maritime Transport Authority (ATM by its Spanish initials) Executive Director Carlos Daniel Pérez said Thursday his agency is not to blame for a gasoline shortage on Vieques. Pérez said gasoline wholesaler Total and service station owner Aluma should have stocked up on gasoline for Holy Week, when thousands of tourists descend on Vieques.
The official said that when Total bought Esso’s business in Puerto Rico, the France-based company reached an accord to have the MTA ferry 80,000 gallons per week to Vieques — 40,000 gallons on Tuesdays and 40,000 gallons on Saturdays.
Prior to that, Aluma, which owns both gas stations on Vieques, brought gasoline in on its own barges.
Pérez said Total’s twice-weekly loads have never reached 40,000 each as stipulated in the deal with the ATM.
http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/n...id=1&ct_name=1

[Lucario Boricua]

Alguien cree que debería haber una terminal de lanchas en Isla Grande, para servir el Distrito de Convenciones? Por si aca, sé que esto pudiera restarle espacio a los muelles de Isla Grande, así que no sería tan fácil encontrar un hueco pa' una terminal así.

[islandtransit]

Yes, especially if Bayside ever gets built

[Ultramatic]

Ports hails inspection pilot success; sees complete rollout by September

By : JOHN MARINO
marino@caribbeanbusinesspr.com



The container-inspection pilot program at Crowley reached 100 percent of incoming containers this week, and government officials said the rollout of the X-ray system will continue on schedule until it is fully operational by mid-September. Ports Authority Executive Director Alberto Escudero said that under the pilot project, which began April 4 at the Crowley facility in San Juan, officials have been able to steadily increase the number of containers inspected without affecting the flow of commerce. In all, some 2,500 containers were inspected last month, more than the 1,500 containers inspected all last year.
“We are extremely pleased with the results. This pilot project proved that we can fully inspect containers without affecting the flow of commerce,” Escudero said.
The Ports chief hailed the teamwork among Ports Authority, Treasury and Police department officials and said that federal officials would also be shortly involved in the initiative.
While the program was initiated to try to crack down on the shipment into the island of illegal weapons and drugs, Deputy Treasury Secretary José Arroyo said the 100 percent inspection plan is also “an excellent mechanism to prevent tax evasion and correct discrepancies in documentation that shippers submit to the government.”
Escudero said that no illegal weapons or drugs were found, but officials were not expecting to find any since it was announced that the new inspection system would be in operation at the Crowley facility, while the other four ports of entry were still under the old system of limited inspections.
Escudero said that inspections did turn up instances of containers carrying merchandise different that what was marked on shipping documents. In one case, a container that was supposedly carrying groceries was actually carrying tires. In another case, a container that was supposed to be carrying general merchandise was actually carrying a car.
Escudero said that such “discrepancies” between the actual merchandise and its shipping papers can be simple errors or attempts to avoid taxes or shipping charges. If such errors are found to be cases of fraud, companies can face fines of up $20,000. In these two cases, authorities have only adjusted shipping costs and taxes without imposing fines.
The government contracted private firm, Rapiscan Systems, to undertake the inspections using high-tech, X-ray equipment. Critics have blasted the contract’s terms and said the costs of the scanning would drive up the price of everything shipped into Puerto Rico.
While Ports was considering a $60 per container charge, it has since decided to charge a fee of $4 per short ton on all cargo entering the Port of San Juan, whether it is inspected or not.
Shipping industry executives are also worried that the inspections will slow down interstate commerce and are therefore considering a court fight against the plan.
Escudero, however, said the pilot project showed the plan will be a success.
“I believe this system will serve as a model for the United States,” he said.

http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/n...=57046&ct_id=1

[Ultramatic]

Pierluisi calls for US study of Jones Act

By : KEVIN MEAD
kevin@caribbeanbusinesspr.com



Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi is urging the federal government to study the impact of the Jones Act shipping laws on the economy of Puerto Rico and the broader U.S. economy. “The costs and benefits of the Jones Act — specifically, its implications for the national economy, national defense, and domestic shipbuilding industry — have been the subject of vigorous debate over the years,” Pierluisi wrote in a letter to Gene Dodaro, comptroller general of the U.S.
The resident commissioner’s letter requests that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) prepare a report on the impact of the Jones Act’s application to Puerto Rico.
Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, generally requires that all maritime transport of cargo and passengers between ports in the U.S. be carried by vessels built in the U.S., owned by U.S. citizens (at least 75%), and operated by U.S. citizen crews.
Since its enactment, the Jones Act has applied to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, although a 1984 federal law authorized the transportation of passengers between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports on foreign-flag vessels when Jones Act-qualified service is not available.
Puerto Rico’s neighboring territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands, is exempt from the Jones Act, as are the U.S. territories of American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“The economic impact of the Jones Act has been the source of particular concern in Puerto Rico and other non-contiguous jurisdictions, which rely heavily on maritime shipping to conduct commerce with the U.S. mainland,” Pierluisi wrote.
“Many of my constituents, including a broad array of economists, have expressed the view that Puerto Rico families and companies are hurt — and that the island’s economic growth and competitiveness are hindered — by higher shipping costs potentially associated with the Jones Act,” he wrote.
The resident commissioner cited Puerto Rico’s heavy reliance on imports from the U.S. mainland, the bulk of which is brought in by ship.
On the export side, the products that Puerto Rico generates for sale outside the island are primarily destined for the U.S. market and most are moved by ship.
“Accordingly, if the Jones Act does lead to higher shipping costs, the law might have a disproportionate adverse impact on Puerto Rico,” Pierluisi said.
The resident commissioner acknowledged a multi-volume “Economic Study of Puerto Rico” prepared for the White House in 1979 by an interagency task force chaired by the U.S. Commerce Department secretary. That study found that “exemption from cabotage laws — sometimes pointed to as an answer to the problem — would not provide a lasting remedy” in the form of lower shipping rates.
“Whether the task force properly analyzed the issue — and, if so, whether its conclusion is still valid over 30 years later — are open questions,” Pierluisi said.
The resident commissioner said his proposed GAO study should adhere to its general practice and consult with stakeholders, including representatives in Puerto Rico from the manufacturing, agriculture and charter vessel sectors.
He also urged the GAO to meet with representatives from the Port Authority of the Americas in Ponce, “who are keenly interested in this issue.”
He also said the GAO should consult with individuals who are involved in, or otherwise knowledgeable about, maritime trade between Puerto Rico and the U.S. and who oppose repeal or relaxation of the Jones Act.
“I believe that the perennial debate in Congress — and in Puerto Rico — over the Jones Act would benefit from an objective and fact-based report analyzing the economic implications of the act’s application in Puerto Rico,” Pierluisi said.
http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/n...id=1&ct_name=1

[Ultramatic]

Coast Guard gets new chief in PR, USVI

By CB Online Staff
cbnews@caribbeanbusinesspr.com

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector San Juan has a new commander for operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Capt. Drew W. Pearson, who previously served as chief of the Seventh Coast Guard District’s incident management branch in Miami, assumed command responsibilities for Sector San Juan from Capt. Eduardo Pino last week.
“I feel honored for the opportunity to lead the men and women of Sector San Juan in one of the Coast Guard’s most challenging areas of responsibility,” Pearson said.
Pino, Sector San Juan’s commander since July 2008, is headed to Miami as the new Seventh Coast Guard District’s chief of response operations.
Sector San Juan, headquartered in La Puntilla, Old San Juan, is a 1.3 million-square-mile area of responsibility that encompasses the eastern Caribbean. The sector comprises six shore units including Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, one of three major air stations in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, and two of the busiest ports in the nation, with more than three million visitors per year.



http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/n...id=1&ct_name=1

[Jaykar]

Ceiba: $160K Los Machos pier upgrade
By : AURA N. ALFARO
aura@caribbeanbusinesspr.com


Ceiba, Puerto Rico’s easternmost municipality, will invest $160,000 to renovate the town’s Los Machos Beach fishing pier in time for summertime tourists.
Currently, a 340-foot long by 13-foot wide gray stretch of concrete, the pier will be covered over with tiles, side lighting and a 20-foot long gazebo at its end, Ceiba Mayor Pedro Colón Osorio said in an interview with CARIBBEAN BUSINESS.

The project is scheduled to be completed and ready for the July 4th celebrations.

“The idea is to make Los Machos Beach a more attractive tourism spot, especially in the evenings, and draw in more customers to the fresh fish market and food and beverage businesses in the area,” Colón explained.

Ceiba implemented a public order code on April 21 regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages. The businesses are required to close at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The town also has its own 28-agent municipal police force.

[Jaykar]

PR-DR passenger ferry set for launch
By CB Online Staff
cbnews@caribbeanbusinesspr.com


America Cruise Ferries is set to launch its first passenger trip between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night.
The inaugural passenger crossing of the Caribbean Fantasy ferry is scheduled to leave the Port of Mayagüez at 8 p.m. and dock in Santo Domingo at 1 a.m. Thursday. It will return to Mayagüez by 8 a.m. Friday.

“In terms of shuttling cargo, automobiles and passengers between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, nobody does it better,” said Marine Express President Néstor González.

America Cruise Ferries throttled up its plans to launch passenger service between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic after securing certification from federal authorities to carry passengers, according to Marine Express, agents for America Cruise Ferries.

Passenger service had originally been scheduled to start April 11, but was pushed back to June 1 pending the certification.

The Caribbean Fantasy is scheduled to sail from the Panamericano terminal near the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan every Monday at 7 p.m. Sailings from Mayagüez are scheduled for every Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m. Return trips from Santo Domingo dock at 8 a.m.

Introductory prices, including port fees, start at $169 per person round-trip from Mayagüez and $189 per person round-trip from San Juan. Cabins are available starting at $48 and passengers can bring three pieces of luggage at no charge.

The Caribbean Fantasy boasts two restaurants, a buffet, casino, nightclub, piano bar, duty-free shop, beauty salon and swimming pool.

The 650-foot ferry includes seven decks, three of which are open to passengers. There are 140 passenger cabins and 450 plush seats.

The Caribbean Fantasy has a capacity for 1,100 passengers, 165 cargo containers and 70 cars and trucks on each crossing.

America Cruise Ferries launched cargo service in March with cargo bound from the ports of San Juan and Mayagüez crossing the Mona Passage to Santo Domingo in three round trips weekly.

America Cruise Ferries, which is incorporated in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the U.S., is a joint venture among French, Mexican and Puerto Rican investors. Its aim was to fill the void left by the idling of Ferries del Caribe last year amid a legal dispute over fees at the Port of Mayagüez.

Ferries del Caribe’s “Caribbean Express” carried about 170,000 passengers, 19,000 passenger vehicles and 11,000 trucks annually. The service was plagued by disagreements between Ferries del Caribe, the private operator of the Port of Mayagüez and the quasi-public Ports Commission.

America Cruise Ferries partner Daniel Berrebi said earlier this year that the company has sunk $65 million into the venture. Plans call for the service to be extended to other Caribbean islands, including Cuba, in the future.

The new service was expected to sustain some 100 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs in both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and has been lauded by Puerto Rico Tourism Co. and other government officials as a boon for tourism and business opportunities on the island.