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The U.S. and Vietnamese delegations also discussed multilateral issues of mutual concern such as
piracy, maritime-related environmental protection, security issues affecting both cargo and seafarers,
and cooperation on vessel tracking in Southeast Asia.
European Outreach
In June 2010, the Maritime Administrator spoke on U.S. maritime transport policies at a conference
organized by the Danish Maritime Authority: “Meeting the Challenges for Global Shipping: Policies and
Strategies.” In his presentation, he identified links between the President’s National Export Initiative and
DOT’s strategic goals for maritime freight transportation: helping U.S. industries compete globally,
creating jobs and economic growth; and reducing energy usage, carbon emissions and the adverse
livability impacts on affected communities. Administrator Matsuda also met with officials of the Port of
Rotterdam to discuss its role as the busiest European port, as well as both U.S. and Dutch interests in
expanding the use of short-sea shipping.
In July 2011, MARAD signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the European Union
(EU) on short-sea shipping. European Commission and EU member states have significant experience
developing short-sea shipping, and related intermodal links, as a means to improve transportation
efficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The MOC presents opportunities to share learning
experiences and opens the possibility of new areas of U.S.-EU cooperation in maritime transportation.
Gateways and Stakeholder Outreach
The Maritime Administration has a staff presence in 10 of the largest ports on the W est, East, and
Gulf Coasts, as well as the Great Lakes and inland waterways: San Francisco and Long Beach, CA; New
York, NY; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Norfolk, VA; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; St. Louis, MO; and
Seattle, WA. MARAD’s Gateway Offices use their local knowledge, experience, and stakeholder
relationships to identify issues, best practices, and opportunities to advance the marine transportation
system. These offices act as liaisons and bring DOT and MARAD expertise to the table when working
with local stakeholders. The Gateway Offices also work with public- and private-sector participants to
better understand the connections among improved cargo flow, economic vitality, community livability,
and environmental sustainability.
National Ocean Council
The Maritime Administration played a significant role in representing DOT in the working groups that
made up the President’s Ocean Policy Task Force. The task force issued comprehensive final
recommendations now embraced in Executive Order 13547, Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and
the Great Lakes, dated July 19, 2010. This Executive Order establishes a National Ocean Council that is
responsible for implementing a new national ocean policy.
Departmental programs, most of them MARAD oriented, will be affected by the new governance
structure for planning and conducting off-shore activities. In particular, MARAD initiatives —
National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF)/ Ready Reserve Force (RRF), marine highways, deepwater
ports, and port-development — will require consideration in the regional, coastal and marine spatial
plans mandated by the Executive Order. Since July 2010, MARAD has been actively engaged with the
Office of the Secretary of Transportation commencing implementation of the Executive Order on a DOTwide
basis.
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