1998 Year of the Ocean The U.S. Marine Transportation System 



shift investment toward maritime and rail service; however, without greater public appreciation 

 of the importance and value of marine transportation, public funds will continue to be directed 

 tov»/ards the immediate needs of land transportation. The increased globalization of the U.S. 

 economy and increased demand for transportation services must be factored into transportation 

 investment decisions. 



Vessel Technology 



New vessel designs and propulsion and energy sources will produce larger, faster, more 

 efficient ships, particularly in the high-volume line-haul trades from the Far East to Europe and 

 the United States. Containerships introduced into service in the 1960s with capacities of less than 

 500 TEUs, have been replaced by ships that can carry approximately 6,000 TEUs. Carriers 

 planning for increased cargo volume have ordered vessels that can carry over 8,000 TEUs. By 

 2010, ships carrying 13,000 TEUs are possible. However, this prospect raises concerns about 

 port capacity and the ability of intermodal connections to move cargo away from a port to its 

 destination. The limited charmel depth of many ports will create more demand for vessels with 

 smaller draft, including tug-barges, to transship cargo to final regional distribution ports. 



Component miniaturize has applications in vessel technology. The capability to produce 

 higher amounts of power with smaller generators will result in a significant fuel savings and a 

 reduction in noxious emissions. Fuel cell development could lead to an environmentally friendly ' 

 propulsion alternative for the future. 



Integrated navigation and communications systems ufilizing global positioning, 

 electronic chart display, improved data and voice transmission capabilities, and the military's 

 "glass cockpit" technology' will improve safety. Onboard automation will further increase 

 productivity. A ship with a crew of 50 seafarers in 1960 and 8, 16, or 21 today could have as few 

 as 4 by 2020. 



Human Resources/Training 



Even as ships become larger and average crew sizes smaller, the current shortage of 

 adequately trained mariners will continue worldwide as trade triples by 2020. As ships and 

 transportation systems become more complex, training requirements will grow. Advances in 

 human factors technology and applications of system safety principles will demand better 

 training and performance testing of persormel. Highly trained people will be required for most 

 positions and this will result in a demand for skilled U.S. seafarers, especially as the difference 

 between U.S. and foreign wages decreases. 



' Heads-up display where information is projected or appears on the glass window or cockpit through which the operator is 

 looking. 



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