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North Dartmouth, MA - The Short Sea Shipping Symposium will be held on March 26 –27, 2008 at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the browsing area of the Claire T. Carney Library. This two-day conference will give attendees a broad picture of the promise of domestic Short Sea Shipping as a viable and environmentally friendly commercial freight alternative that utilizes inland and coastal waterways to move cargo from major domestic ports to its destination.
In the last five years, the concept of Short Sea Shipping has reached the forefront in transportation circles on this side of the Atlantic as the stark realities of the U.S. freight systems have increasingly become apparent. The major interstate corridors along the densely populated coasts of the nation were at one time a means of predictable and efficient travel. These once free-flowing arteries have become congested to the point of gridlock, resulting in an economic slowdown, reduced competitiveness, and a steady deterioration of air quality.
Short Sea Shipping promises an environmentally sound, cost effective, and manageably capitalized solution. Unlike a large, deepwater port that handles international containers, the model short sea port looks much like an efficient truck terminal and requires only low-cost infrastructure to handle the loading and unloading of trailers. The panel members and keynote speakers will address the required port development, economic benefits, environmental factors, and other significant aspects of developing a short sea network.
Keynote speakers for this event include Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang, Fall River Mayor Robert Correia, Douglas I. Foy of Serrafix Corporation, and Rick Armstrong of the Seaport Advisory Council. Ample time is included for questions and discussion after each session. There will also be a networking opportunity at a harbor tour reception aboard the New England Fast Ferry on the evening of the 26th.
For registration and more information on this event, visit: www.umassd.edu/sustainability/shortsea.cfm.