Innovation, Research, and Technology

A strong, competitive U.S. maritime industry is vital to the national and economic security strategy of the United States, and both modernizing and expanding our ports and waterways and intermodal connections calls for innovative solutions.

The Maritime Administration is advancing the research, development, assessment, and demonstration of emerging marine technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of U.S. maritime transportation. As a clearing house for the latest information on advanced safety and other cutting edge technologies, we help the U.S. maritime industry achieve improved cost effectiveness, competitiveness, and profitability. Through programs such as META, and working in partnership with academic, public, private, and nongovernmental organizations, our goal is to evaluate and utilize emerging technologies and provide the public and our maritime stakeholders with innovative solutions to the toughest problems they encounter at sea and on land.