Friday, April 11, 2014

MARAD Schedules Maritime Symposium

By Mark Edward Nero

The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) says it is seeking leaders in all segments of the US maritime industry to participate in a National Maritime Strategy Symposium scheduled for Tues., May 6 at MARAD headquarters in Washington, DC.

The agency says its seeking participants to help it identify concerns, opportunities and issues facing the US maritime industry.

The symposium’s focus is on domestic US maritime issues. Principal focus areas are planned to include: US ports, domestic shipping, US shipyards, environmental compliance & maritime energy use, and labor/workforce.

In January, MARAD conducted the first of two National Maritime Strategy Symposiums, where over 200 maritime stakeholders came together to discuss and respond to the issues facing US-flag vessels. The purpose of initial meeting was to solicit input from individuals that will be used to generate ideas to improve, strengthen, and sustain the cargo opportunities and sealift capacity of the US-flagged fleet engaged in international commercial trade.

The second symposium is planned for MARAD Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, 20590. It’s open to the public, but seating is limited and advance registration is required. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Following this initiative, MARAD says it will develop new policies to: “keep America’s sealift capability robust; protect our long-term economic interests; and maintain the strategic assets of the US Merchant Marine.”