Deep Draft Waterways

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DATE: November 27, 2005 2:49:58 PM CST

Deep Draft Waterways

Waterways Management

Measurement Definitions
Recovery: Percent of channel depth available to deep water shipping. The recovery measure is focused on infrastructure and indicates whether or not the main ship channels in the storm affected area are open to the pre-Katrina depth. Restoration: Daily vessel arrivals. The restoration measure is focused on shipping activity and indicates the number of daily vessel arrivals as a percentage the average number of daily vessel arrivals last year.
Amplifying Information
There are 19 deep draft channels in Mobile and 11 deep draft channels in New Orleans. 5 of the 30 total deep draft channels in the storm affected area are not at project depth although all 30 are open and at pre-storm depth. The average number of daily vessel arrivals last year was 8.3 (250 mth/30) in Mobile and 12.5 (375/30) in New Orleans. The number of vessel arrivals in Mobile and New Orleans varies little from month-to-month. The capability to operate at 100% does not mean the Channel is operating at 100% - for instance, The Channel could be at pre Katrina project depth, but lacks vessel traffic due to closure of facilities etc. In this case, although they may not be moving the same level of cargo as before, they are still capable of doing so.
Data Source(s)
Army Corps of Engineers – channel depths. Vessel Pilots, Masters, Agents via local USCG Sector Commands – vessel arrivals.
Stakeholders
Pilots Army Corps of Engineers Navy MSC	USCG CBP Port Authorities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a deep draft vessel? We consider a deep draft vessel any vessel of 300 gross tons or greater. What cargoes are waiting to enter ports impacted by Hurricane Katrina? Bulk liquid cargo Bulk cargo Packaged bulk How did the hurricane impact channel depths? Channel depths were not significantly reduced after hurricane Katrina. What other infrastructure impacts deep draft shipping? Port facilities and other inter-modal connections needed to move cargo.

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