The Marine Transportation System, or MTS, consists of waterways, ports, and intermodal landside connections that allow the various modes of transportation to move people and goods to, from, and on the water. The MTS includes the following:
The Marine Transportation System (MTS) is an incredibly complex and diverse system, which operates on basically three levels: local, regional, and national. The people and groups at each level are valuable to the work, maintenance, and governance of the entire MTS.
The importance of working together at all levels cannot be stressed enough. Unlike other countries, the government cannot simply decree that ports be built or that waterways are maintained. We must all work together in cooperation to ensure that our MTS meets our vision:
"The U.S. Marine Transportation System will be the world's most technologically advanced, safe, secure, efficient, effective, accessible, globally competitive, dynamic and environmentally responsible system for moving goods and people."
National - The national level of the MTS is concerned with issues that affect the entire country and/or require the participation of decision-makers at the national level. These include the Cabinet Level Committee on the MTS, which is composed of federal government partners, and the MTS National Advisory Council, which is composed of industry representatives. Additionally, an area that is unique to the national level is that of national security. National security is important in that much of the United State’s borders front the ocean and other major waterways, and also many military supplies are transported by ship in times of war or international disturbances.
Regional - The regional level of the MTS is concerned with the areas and interests where local concerns overlap. This could be areas where multiple cities, states or even countries are involved, such as along the Columbia or Mississippi rivers or in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway. Generally, issues being addressed are wider ranging such as the prevention of pollution and disaster response planning.
Local - The local level of the MTS is the most visible to the public. It is comprised of the docks and ports where ships and barges load and discharge cargo. It also involves the loading and unloading of trucks and trains taking containers and bulk cargo from the production centers and to the distribution centers. The organizations working at this level are the Marine Exchanges, Harbor Safety Committees, local port authorities, environmental groups, and everyone else who has an interest in the waterways and how they are used right down to the local boating club.
In addition to these geographic levels, the MTS also has many distinct facets to it. Among these facets are economic value, security, safety, environment, infrastructure, and competitiveness
The MTS is an essential component of the United States' extraordinary growth and prosperity. America's business depends on the MTS to ensure that goods, from manufactured items to agricultural products, are available to U.S citizens and consumers around the world. More than 95% of the overseas trade that comes in or out of the US moves by ship. U.S. ports and waterways also handle more than two billion tons of domestic and foreign commerce each year.
The MTS also provides tens of millions of Americans directly and indirectly with employment and recreational pleasure. It plays a key role in State and local government’s economic development and job creation efforts. The MTS also provides the means by which private MTS service providers earn a profit.
The
MTS serves a crucial role in the security and defense of the United States.
The U.S. military defends and serves our national interests both at home and
abroad through the use of vessels that move through U.S. commercial ports for
projection of its forces. The logistical backbone for the rapid loading and
transport of U.S. forces and materiel relies ultimately upon the marine transportation
system.
Challenges to the physical security of the MTS include detecting smuggling, theft, illegal immigration and other criminal activities. In addition, the potential for terrorism exists so protection, defense and response plans must be implemented. To provide security to our nation, the MTS must be made secure from threats to U.S. citizens and its effective operation.
The extensive network of waterways and adjacent shorelines that comprise the MTS is a national environmental treasure. They are the vital natural habitats for numerous species of both plants and animals. These valuable ecosystems and natural habitats must be protected in implementing any improvements in the MTS while ensuring the MTS remains competitive and continues to address safety and security.
While public and private efforts need to be made to minimize the adverse environmental effects of MTS activities, marine transportation is an environmentally responsible method of transportation. Ships and barges have the fewest accidental spills or collisions of all forms of transportation. Ferries also provide an environmentally sounds alternative to cars. In Puget Sound for example, ferries carry over 23 million passengers each year. Many port and waterways improvement projects, including beneficial uses of dredged material, enhance the environment, and many port areas also provide for public access to recreational opportunities on the waterfront and the MTS.
The MTS is a complex, dynamic system with a variety of users. The safety and education of all system users are of critical importance in reducing damage to vessels, property, and the environment, and to preventing injuries and saving lives. As the number of commercial and recreational users continues to grow, and both commercial and personal watercraft increase in size and speed, technology and training must be utilized to increase the safety of our MTS.
Some recommended goals to improve safety in the MTS include widespread use of safety management systems in design and operations.
The physical infrastructure and information systems that support our MTS must be maintained and improved to respond to changes in vessel design, technology, and trade and passenger patterns. Key infrastructure concerns include:
The U.S. Marine Transportation System is the nation's gateway to the global marketplace. As such:
The future challenges to our MTS are many. The total volume of domestic and international marine trade is expected to triple over the next 20 years. In that same time frame, the number of recreational users is expected to grow by over 65% to more than 130 million annually. Ferry passenger transport is experiencing rapid growth in response to land-transport congestion. Commercial fishing and military use of the MTS will continue to grow into the new millennium.
How will all these increasing demands on our MTS be safely handled and balanced with environmental values in order to ensure that freight and people move efficiently to, from, and on our waterfronts?
Coordination, leadership, and cooperation are essential to addressing the challenges faced by the MTS. Information on the nation's mobility, safety, economic health, natural environment, and security information must be shared among federal, regional, and local agencies, as well as private sector owners and operators. This kind of coordinated approach can more effectively meet the needs of the MTS than can piecemeal efforts by individual groups.
The Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS) is the latest Federal effort to coordinate the myriad partners involved in the MTS. The CMTS will work closely with local, regional, and national stakeholder groups to identify challenges, craft solutions, and shape the MTS to meet this country’s future needs.