Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Formed. A new government-industry partnership is forming to promote the establishment of a water transportation alternative that will give motorists and industry relief from congestion on American highways and railroads. The Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program, or SCOOP, held its organizational meeting at DOT Headquarters in Washington on Oct. 15. Its membership includes vessel owners and operators, shippers, trucking and railroad companies, environmental and health interest groups and labor organizations. The cooperative will be lead by DOT's Maritime Administration, which is sponsoring a conference on Short Sea Shipping in Sarasota, FL, Nov. 4-6 for more information contact: Keith Lesnick (202) 366-5807 or visit http://iei-corp.com/shortsea2003.html.

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