America’s more than 25,000 miles of coastal and inland waterways (many of which are underutilized) present our nation with a significant opportunity to improve the efficiency our country’s entire transportation network, and we at MARAD are working hard to unlock their potential.
Our 21st century transportation system must better integrate waterborne transportation if we are to handle the challenges of the coming decades.
Under the authority granted to USDOT under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, MARAD and our sister modes of transportation will be working closely to identify potentially viable transportation routes in which the marine transportation system could alleviate growing landside congestion problems.
The Maritime Administration is taking a lead role in the advancement of our marine transportation system. Such a system must accommodate growing international trade by easing congestion throughout the entire transportation network—from door to door.
We are working to enhance America’s leadership and prominence in the international marine transportation community while continuing to promote a strong domestic merchant marine, a highly skilled workforce, and make better use of the nation’s marine highways.
MARAD is also stimulating competition, innovation, and efficiency by involving the private sector more fully in the financing, development and management of transportation infrastructure. Improving our marine transportation system will help create a seamless network of transportation services that will help grow our economy in the century ahead.
-Administrator Sean T. Connaughton
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