What Does the MTS Mean to Me?

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1 What Does the MTS Mean to Me? The MTS helps our economy to grow, strengthens our national defense and provides a higher standard of living for all Americans. The MTS facilitates our bulk exports and imports of agricultural, mining and energy products. The MTS is the major import method of 67% of the consumer goods purchased by the American public, including clothing electronic equipment and food. The MTS is environmentally friendly. In addition, the MTS affects the average American in many ways each day. This includes: Expanding our selection of products by providing greater access to domestic and world markets. Increasing the affordability and quality of products through low-cost and reliable transportation. The MTS Vision The U.S. Marine Transportation System will be the world's most technologically advanced, safe, secure, efficient, effective, accessible, globally competitive, dynamic and environmentally responsible system for moving goods and people. This vision will be guided by the following principles: Shared responsibility and accountability Federal leadership A balance between diverse interests System integration Technology deployment People are critical to success

2 Security The MTS serves a crucial role in the security and defense of the United States. The U.S. military defends and serves our national interests both at home and abroad through the use of vessels for projection of its forces which move through U.S. commercial ports. The logistical backbone for the rapid loading and transport of U.S. forces and materiel relies ultimately upon the marine transportation system. Challenges to the physical security of the MTS include detecting smuggling, theft, illegal immigration and other criminal activities. In addition, the potential for terrorism exists. Protection, defense and response plans must be implemented. To provide security to our nation, the MTS must be made secure from threats to U.S. citizens and its effective operation. Challenges The future challenges to our MTS are many. The total volume of domestic and international marine trade is expected to triple over the next 20 years. In that same time frame, the number of recreational users is expected to grow by over 65% to more than 130 million annually. Ferry passenger transport is experiencing rapid growth in response to landtransport congestion. Cruise ships are expected to attract 6.5 million passengers by Commercial fishing and military use of the MTS will continue to grow into the new millennium. Competitiveness How will all these increasing demands on our MTS be safely handled and balanced with environmental values in order to ensure that freight and people move efficiently to, from, and on our waterfronts? The U.S. Marine Transportation System is the nation's gateway to the global marketplace. As such: The MTS is an integral part of maintaining and improving U.S. competitiveness. Identification of gaps and elimination of conflicts should be part of the overall review of the system's efficiency. A public dialogue on the system's current function and future needs should be a part of an overall investment strategy.

3 Resource and institutions for MTS research, recruitment and education should be fostered. Environment The extensive network of waterways and adjacent shorelines that comprise the MTS is a national environmental treasure. They are the vital natural habitats for numerous species of both plants and animals. Safety The MTS is a complex, dynamic system with a variety of users. The safety and education of all system users are of critical importance in reducing damage to vessels, property, and the environment, and to preventing injuries and saving lives. As the number of commercial and recreational users continues to grow, and both commercial and personal watercraft increase in size and speed, technology and training must be utilized to increase the safety of our MTS. Recommended goals include: These valuable ecosystems and natural habitats must be protected in implementing any improvements in the MTS while ensuring the MTS remains competitive and continues to address safety and security. Widespread use of safety management systems in design and operations. Accurate, reliable and real-time information management systems that are tailored to user needs. Improved management and coordination to promote safe vessel

4 movements and facility siting. Improved management of operations and communications in congested areas. Prevention of maritime accidents associated with human factors. Infrastructure The physical infrastructure and information systems that support our MTS must be maintained and improved to respond to changes in vessel design, technology, and trade and passenger patterns. Key infrastructure concerns include: Dredging and marketing the harbor channels that connect our ports to the international sea lanes. Modernizing locks and dams to regulate water flow and facilitate commerce. Improving marine terminal capacity and access to rail, road and pipeline transport. Employing advanced computer and communications technology (ITS, DGPS, and VTS) to increase the productivity of the MTS. Coordination & Leadership Coordination, leadership, and cooperation are essential to the success of the MTS. As a result, the nation's mobility, safety, economic health, natural environment and security can all be enhanced. Raising the visibility of the MTS will encourage cooperation and information sharing among federal, regional, and local agencies, as well as private sector owners and operators. This kind of coordinated approach can more effectively meet the needs of the MTS than can piecemeal efforts by individual groups. Integration Methods Establish a National Council on the Marine Transportation System with responsibilities to support and coordinate development of a national MTS strategy and policy. Manage an Interagency Committee on the MTS with responsibilities to coordinate Federal MTS activities with the U.S. Coast Guard and other major MTS participants. Create local and regional

5 committees to build grassroots support of the MTS and to address MTS issues and recommend improvements.