Gateway Presence

There is no better way to gain insight into the challenges facing the industry and finding ways to address them than by having a presence "on the ground."

The Maritime Administration is providing a presence at major U.S. gateway ports, starting with 10 of the largest ports on the West, East and Gulf Coasts, the Great Lakes and the inland river system. Offices are planned or already located in these critical areas. Replicating the model of the Agency's Gateway Office in Southern California, these offices work with headquarters staff, state and local authorities and a broad range of port, shipper and carrier stakeholders to cooperate on projects, identify Federal and state funding, and work on environmental and community challenges in the ports and their intermodal connections.

These offices identify bottlenecks and ways to improve freight movement. They work with stakeholders to promote collaboration among Federal, state, local and private partners on challenges facing the Marine Transportation System in their areas of responsibility, focusing particularly on planning and environmental issues. These offices act as liaisons for the Agency to help ensure that measurable progress is made on specific projects as well as to bring Agency and Departmental expertise to the table.

The potential for these offices has been clearly demonstrated in the Maritime Administration's first Gateway Office in Southern California. That office has worked with public and private sector participants to better understand the connection between improved cargo flow, economic vitality, community improvement and environmental sustainability. The effort has led to an interagency agreement to specifically address congestion in and around our nation’s busiest port area.

The Gateway Offices are the Agency's day-to-day presence throughout the Marine Transportation System. They are critical to the viability and effectiveness of the Maritime Administration and its future programs.

View contact information for all Gateway Offices