Container service could see federal boost
Maine's container ship service that runs from Portland to Boston and New York could receive federal funding to add a new vessel.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Wednesday announced eight projects and six initiatives nationwide are eligible to compete for a piece of $7 million within the America's Marine Highway Program, according to a press release from the U.S. DOT. Applications for the funds are due Aug. 27. The projects, whittled down from 35 applications, will also receive assistance from the DOT in identifying ways to develop new freight and passenger markets.
The Maine DOT's New England Marine Highway Expansion Project, which was among the finalists, would expand the container service by adding a vessel that will increase capacity and reliability, according to the release. Maine's current container service, provided by Columbia Coastal, began operating biweekly in 2007, but was halted for eight months beginning in June 2008 after major customer Red Shield Environmental shut down. The service resumed after the Old Town mill began operating as Old Town Fuel and Fiber.
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