Back in 2014, IRPT started a “Tonnage Reporting Campaign” in an effort to educate the waterway users on the critical need of reporting tonnage. We have made many accomplishments since then, including signing a Memorandum of Common Purpose with the U.S. Army Corp’s Institute of Water Resources.

To keep the momentum going, IRPT is now offering a workshop session on Tuesday, April 23^rd in Baton Rouge for Port Professionals (and private terminals) titled, “Updating O & D’s for Tonnage Sake”.

The fact is, even if tonnages were reported accurately (which we know tonnages are under-reported), if origination and destinations are not accurate, the tonnage can be inaccurately assigned. Tonnage assigned to specific origination and destination pairs are used for the budgeting of existing Corps projects and planning of future Corps projects. This information is also used by the USCG for AIS Encoding of the destination field, U.S. Customs Service to determine various limits for harbor maintenance fee collection, and by other federal agencies grant and funding programs. At the Port Professionals meeting, we will explore:

• Who is required to report
• Why it’s important to be accurately
• Defining Port Boundaries
• Defining USACE Project Boundaries
• Plan to Update Dock Ownership/Leases

The workshop will take place during IRPT’s 2019 Annual Conference at the Raising Cane’s River Center, located at 201 South River Road in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, April 23^rd from 8:00 am to 10:00 am in the Main Ballroom.

A full conference agenda can be found here. If you have already registered for the conference, please consider attending the port meeting and nothing further is needed. If you have not yet registered for the conference, please register online at: https://www.irpt.net/conference/

Section 7 of the River and Harbor Act of 1918 directs the Chief of Engineers to report on the description and adequacy of U.S. waterway terminals and transfer facilities in his annual report to Congress;

Section 8 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 adds a requirement to study the infrastructure supporting such port facilities; and

Section 500 of the Transportation Act of 1920 reiterates these responsibilities, requires the publication of collected data "of value to the commercial interests of the country," and adds the anchorages of the Great Lakes to the areas of investigation.

The Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center is responsible for executing this mission and collects, reviews, analyzes, publishes, and disseminates data on the physical and intermodal (infrastructure) characteristics of the coastal, Great Lakes, and inland ports of the United States. Facility data include, but are not limited to location (latitude / longitude, NDC codes, mile, and bank); operations (name, owner, operator, purpose, handling equipment, rates, and details of open and covered storage facilities); type and dimension of construction (length of berth space for vessels and / or barges, depth, apron width, deck elevation, and details of rail and highway access); and utilities available (water, electricity, and fire protection).

Dates for your Consideration

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc. (IRPT) invites you to join us at the IRPT 2019 Annual Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 23-25 (with exhibitor move-in on the 22nd).

A conference agenda can be found here. The week's itinerary is as follows:

Monday: Exhibitor Move-In
IRPT Board Meeting
Crawfish Boil Reception at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge

Tuesday: General Membership Meeting
Conference Kick-off Luncheon

Inland Port/Terminal Grant Program

BBQ Reception at the SEACHOR/AMH Terminal

Wednesday: Conference Content

Keynote Luncheon
Oyster Bar Reception at the Jolie Pearl

Thursday: Shipper Day
Conference Content

You can learn more about the conference, itinerary, sponsorships, exhibitors, travel and more by visiting www.irpt.net.

Conference registration rates are as follows:

• Members: $575
• Non-Members: $625
• Federal Government Employees: $450
• Bring your spouse for only $100

All activities (except special outings) will be held at The Baton Rouge Raising Cane's Convention Center, located at 201 South River Road, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802.

I look forward to seeing all of you at our exciting conference in Baton Rouge where we trust your company will reap great rewards and find your association with IRPT a profitable and beneficial experience.

Our Sincerest Thanks to the 2019 Conference Sponsors:

Diamond:

Port of Greater Baton Rouge
5R Enterprises, LLC
Consolidated Terminals and Logistics
Liebherr
SENNEBOGEN
Anvil Attachments
Natchez Adams County Port

Gold:

Port of Moran City, Louisiana
F & M Mafco
International Port of Memphis

Seacor AMH/Ports America

Silver:

Hanson Professional Services
Alter Logistics Company
Port of South Louisiana
Impala Terminals Burnside
Ports of Indiana
AGRIServices of Brunswick
Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District
Port KC
Logistics Services Inc.
St. Louis Port Authority
LIGTT
Missouri Port Authority Association
Mississippi Valley Trade and Transport
HDR, Inc.

Watco Companies
Ports Association of Louisiana

Visit Baton Rouge

Oakley’s Port 33