Mts National Advisory Council News

Raymond Barberesi, most recently Director of the Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd), retired effective June 26, 2004 after 28 years of Federal service. As a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service, Barberesi lead major MarAd and Departmental programs including the Marine Transportation System (MTS) initiative, having served as Executive Director of the MTS National Advisory Council for the past three years (www.mtsnac.org). Recognized as the leader of the MTS program at MarAd, Barberesi was instrumental in influencing the comprehensive maritime industry program proposals being advanced at the Department of Transportation under the now familiar title of SEA-21.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Maritime Information Service of North America, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further develop the Marine Transportation System (MTS). MISNA is a non-profit maritime organization established to provide communications, information and services to ensure safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible maritime operations. MISNA's membership is largely composed of marine exchanges. Some of the products and services MISNA provides to its clients, governmental entities, and the interested public are vessel monitoring, information on arrivals and departures, vessel traffic analysis, ship tracking, and port and terminal utilization studies.

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.

John Gaughan, Vice President of the American Maritime Congress, has been selected as the new chairman of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC). Gaughan served in the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, White House Military Office, for Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. He also served at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as Maritime Administrator from 1985-1989 and as DOT Chief of Staff from 1989-1991. The MTSNAC is a chartered, non-federal body that advises the Secretary of Transportation on Marine Transportation System issues. The Council's membership is comprised of leaders from 30 commercial transportation firms…

MTS National Advisory Council to Meet in NY The Marine Transportation System (MTS) National Advisory Council, sponsored by the Secretary of Transportation, will meet in New York on November 14 and 15, 2002. Items on the agenda include review the Council's Team Reports and its SEA-21 proposal.