Third Annual Short Sea Shipping Conference 2004

The Maritime Administration will sponsor the Third Annual Short Sea Shipping Conference in New York City, October 13-15, 2004. The objective of the conference is to build on recent accomplishments to advance the growing short sea shipping industry in the Americas through the exchange of knowledge and insights. The Conference will convene a broad representation of experienced leaders from the transportation industry and state and federal agencies, as well as representatives from Mexico, Canada and Europe.

Much progress has been made since the First Annual MTS Short Sea Shipping Conference held in New York City in 2002. Working together, government and industry leaders have:

· Established the MARAD Conference as the only official U.S. Government sponsored Short Sea Shipping event that brings together industry stakeholder representatives and government officials from our NAFTA and European trading partners.

· Launched the Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program (SCOOP) comprised of more than 60 public and private participants

· Obtained U.S. DOT policy support for Short Sea Shipping initiatives

· Received a generous grant from the I-95 Corridor Coalition to fund a Short Sea Shipping study project through MARAD

· Entered into Memoranda of Cooperation (MOC)—one between MARAD, the Gulf of Mexico States Accord; and the Gulf of Mexico States Partnership, Inc.; and one between the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States

· Developed Conference Report findings from the 2nd Annual Short Sea Shipping Conference(PDF 500KB)held last November in Sarasota, Florida

· Developed a study of European Union Short Sea Shipping system development and practices(PDF 7MB)

· Initiated the MARAD Short Sea Shipping Task Force These exciting developments are just the beginning and represent the momentum that is growing for this economical and environmentally-friendly freight transportation alternative.