The Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute (GLMRI), a joint effort by the University of Wisconsin-Superior and the University of Minnesota Duluth, will receive $2 million in federal funding. This is the second year of funding for the GLMRI collaboration, which now totals $2.75 million. Congressman James L. Oberstar (MN-8) secured the original authorization for the initiative, and Congressman Obey secured the funding in the recently-passed transportation appropriations bill.
The Institute’s goal is to help maintain and promote maritime transportation on the Great Lakes. Initial research will focus on the economics and development of the Great Lakes marine transportation system, the economics of port development in the Great Lakes, security issues, inter-modal transportation opportunities and marine transportation and port environmental issues. An advisory board, composed of Great Lakes maritime and shipping experts, has been established to provide input into the annual research agenda. The co-directors of GLMRI are Dr. Richard Stewart, from UW-Superior's Transportation and Logistics Research Center, and Dr. James P. Riehl, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at UMD. (Source: Business North.com)