• MARAD
• Mariners
• National Maritime Strategy Symposium

The Marine Transportation System is a core component of the United States’ economic and national security. While it has proven to be strong and resilient, there is a need to improve and grow the industry to ensure the availability and viability of a U.S. merchant marine in the future.

The Maritime Administration is developing a National Maritime Strategy that will provide recommendations aimed at supporting the growth of the U.S. maritime industry and ensuring the availability of U.S.-flag vessels for our nation’s economic and national security.

In January 2014, MARAD held a three-day National Maritime Strategy Symposium, where more than 200 maritime stakeholders came together to discuss and respond to the issues facing U.S.-flag vessels. The purpose of this initial public meeting was to generate ideas that will improve, strengthen, and sustain the cargo opportunities and sea-lift capacity of the U.S.-flagged fleet engaged in international commercial trade. To build on that initial effort, MARAD is currently engaging regional leaders in all segments of the U.S. maritime industry to identify concerns and issues facing the domestic side of our maritime industry.

Another symposium was held in May which focused on domestic shipping, shipbuilding, ports and the needs of maritime stakeholders on the inland waterways, great lakes, gulf and coast-wise trade. MARAD will continue soliciting input from maritime industry stakeholders over the next few months as to what should be addressed by a new National Maritime Strategy. The result should be a policy that keeps America’s sea-lift capability; protects our long-term economic interests; and maintains the strategic asset of the U.S. Merchant Marine. We invite you to continue submitting your comments and ideas as we develop a national maritime strategy.

Submitting Your Comments and Ideas
Members of the public can still make comments using the Federal Register docket. To submit comments go to www.regulations.gov and type “MARAD-2013-0101” in the “SEARCH” box.

First National Maritime Strategy Symposium Documents

Agenda
National Maritime Strategy Symposium Agenda 14-16 January, 2014

Webcast
National Maritime Strategy Symposium Webcast 14-16 January, 2014

Presentations

Second National Maritime Strategy Symposium Documents

Agenda
Second National Maritime Strategy Symposium Agenda 6 May, 2014

Webcast

Second National Maritime Strategy Symposium Webcast 6 May, 2014

Presentations
Transcript of the National Domestic Maritime Symposium May 6, 2014