Marine Science Affairs 



the trend continues, and that the share of water carriers in U.S. trade 

 continues, the absolute volume of cargo tonnage arriving and departing 

 from United States ports could increase several-fold during the balance of 

 the century. 



Such future potential must be considered however, in the light of three 

 present realities: U.S. foreign trade is increasing; ^ the ratio of exports to 

 imports has recently decreased ; * and the p>ortion of our foreign trade carried 

 by United States flag vessels is decreasing rapidly/' 



How fast this increase in trade will occur and how much of it will travel 

 in United States vessels, will depend considerably upon the policy of the 

 Federal Government with respect to ocean transportation. Such policies will 

 certainly recognize that foreign trade has an important impact on the na- 

 tional economy and that the cost of shipping is a significant factor in market 

 competition. Transportation of foreign trade cargoes by U.S. flag carriers 

 contributes to establishing and maintaining a more substantial "maritime 

 presence." This latter consideration is intangible and difficult to evaluate. 

 Moreover, the national defense role of our ports and our merchant marine 

 is significant and undergoes continuing critical review in relation to chang- 

 ing strategic concepts. New concepts and configurations, with particular 

 reference to perfonnance characteristics of rapid loading and discharge and 

 vessel speed underway, have military reserve utility added to their worth for 

 commercial service. 



On economic grounds, international trade is increasingly competitive. 

 Both suppliers (shippers) and markets (consignees) are ever more alert 

 to opportunities for cost-savings, time-savings, and service advantages which 

 may yield indirect savings or product preference. 



Marine science and technology can and should help in realizing all of 

 these opportunities, particularly in achieving greater flexibility and adapta- 

 bility in the transport system as a whole and ultimately in enhancing the 

 competitive position of the United States in world trade. Trends toward 

 specialized ocean transportation services are based on economies which 

 depend heavily on technological innovation. Understanding the system and 

 orienting marine science activities toward system improvements will become 

 increasingly important. 



^ Total water-borne U.S. foreign cargo trade almost trebled between 1950 and 

 1966 ; Source : Statistical Abstract of the United States. 



* Ratio of exports to imports (in tonnage terms) decreased from 1.55 to 1.42 be- 

 tween 1950 and 1966; Source, ibid. 



^ The percentage of total U.S. water-born foreign cargo trade carried by U.S. flag 

 vessels decreased from 39.3 to 7.3 percent between 1950 and 1966; Source: ibid. 



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