Declassified Report Reveals Challenges in U.S. Seaport Dredging Operations

A recently declassified U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) report has shed light on the significant challenges impacting dredging operations at strategic U.S. seaports. Contrary to common assumptions about equipment availability under the Jones Act, the findings suggest a different set of hurdles that need to be addressed.

The report, titled “Dredging and the Strategic Seaport Program,” was mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. It highlights issues such as limited disposal areas for dredged material, complex permitting processes, and intricate cost-sharing requirements among stakeholders as the primary obstacles faced by seaport dredging operations.

William P. Doyle, CEO of the Dredging Contractors of America, expressed concern over the regulatory constraints affecting seaports, particularly on the East Coast. He stated, “All seaports are being strangled by outdated regulations that restrict the number of days dredging operations can occur. In some regions, we are limited to just four months per year, hindering critical infrastructure maintenance.”

The study focused on three strategic seaports, revealing region-specific challenges. Savannah grapples with environmental work window constraints affecting contract awards, while Virginia faces disposal site capacity limitations until 2027. Gulfport requires additional funding to meet depth standards set by the Strategic Seaport Program.

Doyle emphasized the urgency for legislative action, calling on Congress and the executive branch to modernize dredging regulations, streamline permitting processes, and allocate sufficient resources for long-term infrastructure resilience.