Port Security Increased After Boston Bombings – The United States Coast Guard (USCG) have increased security at all Northeast ports and waterways after the bombings that occurred at the Boston Marathon on Tuesday, April 16^th. Some security precautions include random searches aboard passenger ferries and commercial vessels and pier side sweeps using remote vehicles. The Ports of Boston, New York and New Jersey remain open to commercial shipping and ferry transportation.

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Georgia Port Settles Environmental Lawsuit – The Georgia Port Authority has settled a lawsuit filed by the South Carolina Savannah River Maritime Commission and several environmental groups over the Savannah River Harbor Expansion Project. The project involves deepening the Savannah River from 42 feet to 47 feet. Under the settlement, the port authority will set aside $35.5 million for the implementation of environmental mitigation projects once the project begins.

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U.S., Egypt Consider FTZ – The U.S. has started discussing setting up a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) with the Industry and Foreign Trade Minister of Egypt. The U.S. is committed to expanding economic relations with Egypt and a FTZ will boost bilateral trade relations and joint investments.

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START Alliance Formed to Promote South Texas Ports – Port San Antonio, Port Corpus Christi and Port Laredo are forming an alliance called the South Texas Alliance for Regional Trade (START). The alliance has been formed as an announcement that the ports in South Texas have combined their efforts in air, land and sea to better facilitate international trade. All three ports are free trade zones.

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