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



connections and deep harbors to accommodate the larger, newer vessels. He warns that the Port 

 Authority of New York/New Jersey could lose 20 percent of its international cargo by 2015 

 unless its channels are deepened beyond 40 feet. 



The Center for Naval Analysis' notes that responsibility for managing U.S. ports and hs 

 waterways system is spread among various federal agencies and stakeholders. Management is 

 fragmented and there is no mechanism for coordination. The Center further indicates that unless 

 all entities work together in unison, it will not be possible to ensure that all ships and cargoes can 

 move efficiently into and out of U.S. ports, global prices will rise, and U. S. global 

 competitiveness will drop. 



Actively involving waterway users and stakeholders in comprehensive planning will aid 

 in consensus building that balances the needs of all. Waterways management is currently the 

 product of a loosely coupled system of customers and stakeholders. Analyses show that 

 waterways management policies, procedures, and standards are inconsistent from port to port, 

 from region to region, and from nation to nation. Waterway users want a seamless transportation 

 system from the point of origin to destination. Waterway managers, speaking with one voice and 

 working together, can achieve this objective. At the local level, ports need to be more customer- 

 focused to give waterway users a greater degree of consistent, "one stop-shopping" for port 

 information, services and to satisfy all regulatory requirements. 



As demand for use of limited waterway space increases, the public expects the 

 government to ensure the safety of the marine transportation system and to protect the marine 

 environment. The public also expects an infrastructure that adequately meets the nation's needs, 

 even though much of the landside facilities are provided by non-federal entities. Coordination of 

 public and private efforts is needed to meet this challenge. 



Marine Transportation and National Defense 



As a military and economic superpower, the United States must be prepared to respond to 

 regional conflicts around the globe that threaten U.S. national security or economic interests. The 

 Department of Defense (DoD) will deploy smaller, but more efficient, military forces to protect 

 vital national interests and rely on "just-in- time" logistics for improved defense equipment 

 inventory management and force projection capability. 



To maximize DoD's logistics capability and minimize its cost, future defense 

 transportation requirements will be met by increased reliance on the U.S. commercial 

 transportation sector. As security threats or natural disasters occur, the United States will use not 

 only sealift, but the entire intermodal transportation system, to deploy quickly and sustain its 

 forces. 



For general (dry) cargoes, the Maritime Security Program, and the Voluntary Intermodal 

 Sealift Agreement program, assure a cost-effective way to provide DoD with a worldwide 

 network of container ships, terminals, and experienced personnel for sealift requirements. 



A-10 



