MARAD Report: Energy Efficiency & Battery Compartment Design
MARAD released an Energy Efficiency White Paper. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of the Energy Efficiency White Paper that provides marine vessel owners and operators information on how to evaluate potential investments in efficiency measures and technologies. The white paper outlines the latest energy efficiency measures currently available for marine vessels, including how the technology works, potential fuel savings, applicability to various vessels types, and lifecycle costs. If implemented, these types of energy efficiency measures may also assist owners of vessels undergoing a major conversion to comply with the Energy Efficiency for Ships Regulations contained in Chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI.
MARAD to Host META Program
The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in cooperation with the Maryland Environmental Resource Center, will hold an open forum to solicit input on the Agency’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program and key environmental issues facing maritime transportation. Specific topics of discussion will include how MARAD might be able to better focus requests for proposals, and how to address various levels of technology readiness. Input received will inform MARAD and Department of Transportation decision making regarding possible future research, development and demonstration projects. The META program seeks to foster collaborative efforts among Federal agencies, academia, industry and the public to address critical marine transportation environmental issues.
Second National Maritime Strategy Symposium
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) will publish a Federal Register Notice on March 24, 2014 inviting the public and Marine Transportation System stakeholders to participate in the agency’s second symposium intended to develop a robust national maritime strategy. The purpose of this second public meeting is to gather ideas to improve the utilization, vitality and competiveness of the Nation’s marine transportation system. The principal focus areas will include, but are not limited to, U.S. ports, domestic shipping, and U.S. Shipyards.
DOT's Foxx Names Two Marine Highways
Secretary Foxx Designates Two New Marine Highways. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has designated two new Marine Highways. The Occoquan, Potomac, and Anacostia Rivers make up the “M-495 Marine Highway Crossing,” and is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and This marine highway connects ports in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Maryland for passenger services. The upper Missouri River is designated as the “M-29 Marine Highway Connector,” and is sponsored by the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri.
MARAD Seeks Input on Cruise Security and Safety Training Certification
The Maritime Administration is proposing that organizations seeking to have their cruise vessel security and safety training programs certified by MARAD may voluntarily submit their programs for review and approval by the MARAD Administrator. The proposed policy is in keeping with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, and may be viewed in the Federal Register at (LINK). Comments may be submitted to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-12300 or by mailing or hand delivering comments to: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, D.C., 20590.
MARAD Deputy Matsuda Resigns
David Matsuda, the U.S. Maritime Administrator, announced that he is stepping down. In a statement released by Marad spokesperson Kim Strong, Matsuda's career highlights and accomplishments were also listed. "Matsuda, who previously worked as the primary transportation counsel to Sen. Frank Lautenberg, was responsible for overseeing more than $1 billion in federal assistance to modernize over 100 of America's small shipyards, upgrade 25 U.S. ports, and build new vessels in the U.S.
