Clyde J Hart News

Shipbuilding leaders convened in Washington D.C. last week to discuss the means and methods to propel the U.S. Shipbuilding market at the dawn of the new millennium. By Regina P. Under the auspices of the seeking a candid and creative discussion regarding the country's shipbuilding future, the U.S. Maritime Administration sponsored a seminar dubbed Marketing Issues and Challenges Facing the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry last week. Attended by industry executives from most of the country's premiere facilities, the conference was held on Wednesday, April 5, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pentagon City, Va. Stressing the pressures of competition form the lucrative Asian shipbuilding powerhouses of Japan, China and Korea, many conference speakers mulled and brainstormed ways that the U.S.

The initial members of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) established to advise the U.S. Secretary of Transportation were announced by U.S. Maritime Administrator Clyde J. Hart, Jr. The council will address strategies to ensure a safe, environmentally sound, and secure Marine Transportation System (MTS) that improves the global competitiveness and national security of the U.S.; issues and concerns raised by the marine transportation industry; and other matters at the Secretary's request.

Shipbuilding leaders convened in Washington, D.C. recently to discuss the means and methods to propel the U.S. shipbuilding market at the dawn of the new millennium. Under the auspices of seeking a candid and creative discussion regarding the country's shipbuilding future, the U.S. Maritime Administration sponsored a seminar on April 5, dubbed, "Marketing Issues and Challenges Facing the U.S. Attended by industry executives from most of the country's premier facilities, the conference was held on Wednesday, April 5, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pentagon City, Va. Stressing the pressures of competition form the lucrative Asian shipbuilding powerhouses of Japan, China and Korea, many conference speakers mulled and brainstormed ways that the U.S. shipbuilders could recapture market share.

Addressing a projected increase in waterborne commercial vessel traffic that is expected to double or triple over the next 20 years, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater issued a major report, An Assessment of the U.S. Marine Transportation System, outlining recommendations to meet the growing challenges to the nation's marine transportation system (MTS). The recommendations include improved vessel traffic management to ensure safety and greater focus on operational efficiencies, research and intermodalism, and better coordination and development of adequate financing mechanisms to ensure the growth of seaports and waterways. "The MTS is the lifeline that links American producers, farmers and manufacturers to global markets," said Secretary Slater.

Addressing a projected increase in waterborne commercial vessel traffic that is expected to double or triple over the next 20 years, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater issued a major report, An Assessment of the U.S. Marine Transportation System, outlining recommendations to meet the growing challenges to the nation's marine transportation system (MTS). The recommendations include improved vessel traffic management to ensure safety and greater focus on operational efficiencies, research and intermodalism, and better coordination and development of adequate financing mechanisms to ensure the growth of seaports and waterways. "The MTS is the lifeline that links American producers, farmers and manufacturers to global markets," said Secretary Slater.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater, leading a trade mission in support of President Clinton's commitment to a well-integrated Western Hemisphere transportation system, joined with Brazilian Transport Minister Eliseu Lemos Padilha in signing a major three-year maritime agreement ensuring each country's shipping lines will be treated equally when carrying cargo from the other country. "On behalf of President Clinton and Vice-President Gore, we are pleased we've reached an agreement that promotes the principle of reciprocity in the shipping relations between the U.S. and Brazil," Secretary Slater said. The agreement ensures each country's national-flag shipping lines equal access to commercial cargoes and to cargoes whose shipment is controlled by the other country's government…