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Editor's Note Word from Washington, D.C. is not good for the U.S. maritime indus-try, though far from definitive at the time of this printing. Those in the indus- try who watched the November 2000 U.S. presidential election with amusement, amaze- ment and much concern have now redirected their lobbying efforts to the first budget pro- posal from President George W. Bush that, among other things, eliminates the Title XI financing program, a program which has helped to deliver billions of dollars in business to both large and small U.S. shipyards at a critical period of marine infrastructure consolidation and redevelopment. Naturally, special interest groups are particularly vocal following an initial budget proposal, particularly when it is from a first-time presi- dent who has yet to establish his national track record on such matters. The standard rhetoric from all groups usually centers on the need to increase funding which is viewed as inadequate. However this year, the tone is a bit more desperate. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) notes that the Civil Works budget represents a 14 percent decrease, a total that AAPA claims falls far short of meeting the nation's water resources infrastructure needs. The budget outline, released February 28, would decrease the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works budget to $3.9 billion from $4.5 billion, a sum which was then seen as too little given the enormity of updating projects needed. More dire, however, is the state of the Maritime Administration and the Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee program. Cynthia Brown, president of the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA), simply states that "America will not be a maritime nation if it does not have a maritime industry." The proposal calls for the dismantling of MarAd, and the elimination of Title XI. While the budget is far from com- plete, interested parties (i.e. everyone reading this page!) should ensure that their voices are heard. To that end, Representatives Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Randy Cunningham (R-CA), Gene Taylor (D-MS), James Maloney (D-CT), Ronnie Shows (D-MS), Jo Ann Davis (R- VA), ed Schrock (R-VA), Tom Allen (D-ME), Walter Jones (R-NC) and Charles Pickering (R-MS) have jointly sent a letter to President Bush urging him to include $100 million in the FY '02 budget for Title XI. MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS NEW YORK 118 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 Tel: (212) 477-6700; Fox: (212) 254-6271 e-mail: mren@marinelink.com Internet: www.marinelink.com FLORIDA 215 NW 3rd St., Boynton Beach, FL 33435 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Gregory R. Trouthwein • lraulhwein@marinelink.com EDITORIAL Associate Editor Regino P. Ciardiello • dariiello@mrineiink.rom Technical Editor David Tinsley Editorial Consultant James R. McCoul, president, International Maritime Associates MARKETING Vice President o< Markting Susan Cosme • cosme@marinelink.com PRODUCTION Production Manager Sharon Griffin • griffin@marinelink.com Asst. Production Manager Oksana Martemy • mar1emy@marinelink.com CIRCULATION Grcuiation Manager Dale L Barnett • barnel1@marinelink.com ADVERTISING SALES Vice President of Sales Lucia M. Annunziato • annunziala@marinelink.com National Sales Manager Robert C. Howard • howard@marinelink.com Tel: (561) 732-3001; Fax: (561) 732-6984 Regional Sales Manager Jennifer Truman • lruman@marineiink.com Regional Sales Manager Brett W. Keil • bkeii@marineiink.com Tel: (561) 732-1185; Fax: (561) 732-6984 Regional Sales Manager/Electronic Product Sales • lrubinsky@marinelink.com Tel: (561) 732-4368; Fax: (208) 575-3217 Accounting Manager Angelica Rivera • arviera@marinelink.com Assistant to the Vice President of Sales Tina Angelino • angeiino@marinelink.com Classified Sales Tel: (212) 477-6700 PUBLISHER John E. 0'Malley John C. 0'Malley • jomalley@marinelink.com Chief Financial Officer Al Adinolfi ©top Mmfe^ toutiM Publications MarineNews Repair Report www. marinelink. com trauthwein@jnarinelink. com MarineNews Published 18 times per year, MarineNews is the acknowledged provider of information and analysis for the North American inland/offshore shallow draft market. Maritime Week Published weekly, Maritime Week provides unequalled financial insights, reports, news and statistical analysis on the trends driving the international maritime business. Electronic Products & Services www.maritimetoday.com Customized e-mail news service deliv- ered twice a day, including the latest contracts, casualties, people & compa- ny reports. www.maritimejobs.com The marine industry's recruiting & employment resource. , www.marinelink.com [ The Internet largest marine website, recording more than 270,000 "hits" acsssia- p.. per month. Daily news, data & statis- fjcs industry directories. Looking for service reliability, we deliver it. ABB Turbochargers A »II mm New York/\|, Miami, Houston, Seattle/Tacoma, Los Angeles - email: turbochargers@us.abb.com 6 Circle 292 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
