Press Releases
Canadian IT Company’s Maritime Security Technology to Enhance Port Security for Delaware River and Bay Region
WHO: Michael Wilson
Canada’s Ambassador to the United States
WHEN: Wednesday, April 2, 2008
10:00 am (media asked to arrive by 9:45 am)
WHERE: U.S. Coast Guard
One Washington Avenue, Philadelphia
WHAT: A signing ceremony recognizing an agreement between Nicom IT Solutions, a Canadian IT company, and the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay.
The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay is a non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting and protecting maritime commerce in the tri-state Delaware River port complex. Nicom’s maritime database technology will enhance the Maritime Exchange’s ability to help ensure a more safe, secure and efficient port. Nicom’s technology will provide more comprehensive and complete visibility to security-related data.
For more information about this Halifax, Nova Scotia company Nicom, please
visit: http://www.nicomit.com
Maritime Exchange Recognized for “Excellence In Innovation”
U.S. Department of Commerce program pays tribute to those who have introduced a new product or service into the market during the last 12 months
July 31, 2007 -- PHILADELPHIA, PA – On July 30, U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary for Technology Robert Cresanti traveled to Philadelphia to recognize the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, a non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting waterborne commerce in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. “It is my distinct pleasure to acknowledge the efforts of the Maritime Exchange and express my strong belief that this organization epitomizes exactly the type of innovative and creative thinking we want to showcase.” The Maritime Exchange is being honored for its work on Maritime On-Line (MOL), a community-based maritime information system used by both the private and public sectors to facilitate vessel movement and operations as well as to help improve overall port security.
- Full Press Release (PDF)
- Full Press Release (Word Doc)
Photos from the event:
- Robert Cresanti, Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology (Photo1, Photo2)
- Dennis Rochford, President, Maritime Exchange (Photo)
- CAPT Ted Harrop, Deputy Sector Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay (Photo)
- Allan Martocci, Acting Port Director, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Philadelphia (Photo)
- Joseph Liciardello, Intelligence Specialist, U.S. Attorney’s Office (Photo)
- Dennis Rochford and Robert Cresanti (Photo1, Photo2)
- Group (Photo): (l-r) Joseph Liciardello, Allan Martocci, Dennis Rochford, Robert Cresanti, Lisa Himber (Vice President, Maritime Exchange), Capt. Ted Harrop
- Robert Cresanti and Maritime Exchange Board of Directors (Photo): (l-r) Uwe Schultz, President, Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association; John Mallough, BARTHCO International, Inc.; Dennis Rochford; Robert Cresanti; Robert Herb, President, Terminal Shipping Company, Inc.; Richard Venuti, General Manager, General Marine & Industrial Services, Inc.; William Anderson, President, General Marine Refrigeration Corporation; and James Young, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP.
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Maritime Exchange President Dennis Rochford Lauds Decision to Move Ahead on Channel Deepening Project
May 17, 2007 -- Governors Ed Rendell and Jon Corzine are to be commended for reaching an agreement to move forward on the Delaware River Main Channel (45’) Deepening Project. This is an incredibly significant accomplishment that will propel regional port development and allow all Delaware River port facilities to competitively attract the emerging class of larger cargo vessels. Because of growing congestion problems experienced by West Coast ports, the reality today is that ocean carriers operating in the trans-pacific route are diverting larger cargo vessels through the Suez Canal to East Coast ports. You don’t have to be an “A” student in Geography to figure out that if you draw a straight line from Gibraltar to the East Coast of the United States, you arrive at the Delaware River.
The proposed Philadelphia Regional Port Authority Southport Project, the new South Jersey Port Corporation general cargo facility planned for Paulsboro, and the expansion opportunities at the Port of Wilmington validate the economic justification to complete this project and enhance our competitive position among other East Coast ports. Deepening the main channel to 45 feet will guarantee our fair share of the rapidly expanding global economy – and that means good paying jobs, jobs and more jobs for our regional economy.
COAST GUARD RECOGNIZES MARITIME COMMITTEE
December 1 , 2006 – PHILADELPHIA - The Coast Guard recognized 47 port stakeholders today for their participation in the Port Security Grant working group during an Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) meeting this morning at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay here.
The AMSC working group's efforts over a nine-month period helped the Philadelphia/southern New Jersey region to be awarded more than $10 million in federal funding through the Port Security Grant Program. As such, the group was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation.
Other topics discussed during the meeting included maritime security within the port and a homeland security presentation conducted by the staff of Rutgers University's Laboratory for Port Security Collaboration. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay's AMSC is comprised of about 600 port stakeholders and meets on a bi-monthly basis to discuss or initiate action on security concerns within the port.
"The meetings are intended to ensure the safety and security of the port by involving all of the Coast Guard's regional partners including local and state law enforcement, local academia, civic organizations and federal agencies," said Lt. Bill McKinstry, Marine All-Hazards Response Branch, Sector Delaware Bay.
PHILADELPHIA - Members of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay's Area Maritime Security Committee received recognition Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, for their participation in the Port Security Grant working group. U.S. Coast Guard photograph courtesy of Sector Delaware Bay
River Pirates Beat Lookouts 13-2
Softball “Game of the Century” a good time for all
August 4 , 2006 – The rematch a century in the making went off without a hitch on Friday, August 4, 2006 when the Maritime Exchange River Pirates took on the Lookouts from the Maritime Association of the Port of New York/New Jersey (MAPONY) in a friendly game of softball. The game was held 100 years to the day after the first game between the two organizations, when NY beat Philadelphia 1-0. This time, the outcome was a little different, with a Delaware River triumph and a 13-2 score. “The Maritime Exchange River Pirates did us proud on the ball field in Princeton . . . great teamwork, hard work and a lot of enthusiasm. Along with the Lookouts, we had a great day,” said Exchange President Dennis Rochford. A big thank you goes to all who participated -- and we especially appreciate the efforts of Paul Rand of New Start Shipping for leading us to victory as the River Pirates team captain. The Exchange also extends its thanks to Ed Kelly, Executive Director of MAPONY, and his crew for making the event one of friendly rivalry and camaraderie. We had so much fun we may do it again next year!
Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society Names Dennis Rochford As 2006 “Man of the Year”
March 30, 2006 PHILADELPHIA – The Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society (PPMS), a non-profit association, today named Dennis Rochford, President of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, as its “Man of the Year” for 2006. The award will be presented at the Society’s 71st Annual Dinner on April 27, to be held at the Ballroom at the Ben in Philadelphia.
The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the maritime industry. “Dennis Rochford has diligently served the Delaware River port community,” said PPMS President Russ Larsen. “In particular, over the last several years he has taken the lead on behalf of the tri-state maritime community in the effort to deepen the main shipping channel to 45 feet,” he said, citing the fact that the channel deepening project is among the most important issues confronting commercial cargo businesses today. Rochford is also recognized for his successful work in coordinating a national coalition to fight restrictive tariffs on steel cargoes moving through U.S. ports, as steel is a key cargo at Delaware River Ports. “His efforts and those of the coalition members resulted in repeal of the tariffs and lower costs for shippers and consumers alike,” Larsen said. In addition, Rochford served as the ‘Voice of the Port’ during the recent controversy surrounding the potential acquisition of P.O. Ports by Dubai Port World, working to raise awareness among legislators, local governments and the media on the facts of the issue. “It is for these and countless other initiatives spearheaded by Dennis Rochford and the Maritime Exchange that we are pleased to honor Dennis as our Man of the Year,” said Larsen.
- Full Press Release (PDF)
- Full Press Release (Word doc)
Maritime Exchange Provides New Port Security Tool
Maritime On-Line Includes New Electronic Advance Notice of Vessel Arrival Module
June 8, 2005 DELAWARE RIVER PORTS – The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, a non- profit trade association representing port businesses in the tri-state region, announced yesterday the completion of a major Maritime Domain Awareness electronic reporting program. Known as eNOA/D On-Line, the electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure system serves as a link between vessels destined for the United States and the Department of Homeland Security and provides vessel operators with a user-friendly mechanism to comply with new Customs and Border Protection regulations which went into effect Monday.
In April, Customs published a rule that requires all air and ocean carriers to transmit detailed crew and passenger information electronically; to make it more efficient for industry to comply with the new rule, CBP and Coast Guard worked together to create a single portal which allows one transmission to satisfy the requirements of both agencies through an existing Coast Guard system. However, CBP provided only a two-month window between publication of the rule and the final implementation date. “The Maritime Exchange has come through for us once again. They've paved the way for the steamship community to do its job,” said Jesse Chambliss, East Coast Vice President for General Steamship Corporation, a national agency which last year represented nearly 3,300 vessels calling U.S. ports.
- Full Press Release (PDF)
- Full Press Release (Word doc)
Maritime Exchange VP Lisa Himber Appointed to National Maritime Security Advisory Committee
January 10, 2005, PHILADELPHIA, PA – Richard E. DeGennaro, Chairman of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay, recently announced that Vice President Lisa B. Himber has been appointed by DHS Secretary Tom Ridge to serve on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. The Maritime Exchange is a not for profit trade association representing the interests of port and related businesses in the tri-state region.
This appointment will undoubtedly be of great benefit to the Maritime Exchange, its members, and the Delaware River port business community as a whole,” DeGennaro said. “In addition, Lisa’s participation in this group will help ensure the DHS is well apprised of maritime industry concerns.”
The advisory committee, as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, is charged to provide advice to the Department of Homeland Security on matters such as national maritime security strategy and policy, actions required to meet current and future security threats, international cooperation on security issues, and security concerns of the maritime transportation industry.“Maritime Exchange members have a great deal at stake in homeland security issues…each new regulation enacted in the name of security brings with it a host of challenges that industry and government must work together to overcome. I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with Coast Guard and DHS on these important issues,” Himber said.
The committee will consist of 21 members, and Himber will represent the Port Management/Port Authority Sector. Her term expires in December 2008.
