by Nick Delgado

Guam – Officials from the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) got an earful from Governor Eddie Calvo, Transportation committee chair Senator Tom Ada, and the Port Authority of Guam urging port modernization efforts begin. Local leaders discussed the lack of progress on those efforts with high-ranking members of MARAD. Calvo states, "I understand that studies need to be done—all of us want to see these projects done right. But what I would like to see is progress in the areas that aren't stalled. This modernization is moving at a glacial pace. The last thing any of us want to see is another Port of Anchorage." A news release from Governor Calvo cites MARAD's website, which states that the lag in the modernization for the port in Anchorage resulted in an escalated cost for the project.

More than $100 million for necessary upgrades to Guam's aging port facilities was identified and obligated for years, and still no projects have started yet. Senator Ada states, "There cannot be a buildup without improvements to our port; it's as simple as that. Governor Calvo and I have the same message for MARAD: we want to see progress as soon as possible."

MARAD told the local officials they expect to begin work sometime in the last quarter of this year. Port Board of Director chairman Dan Tydingco states, "Some of this money should have been spent years ago. We no longer have the luxury of time. The Port Authority of Guam needs to start these projects. The federal government needs to start moving. We need to move."