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The Future Of The Merchant Marine

From the very beginnings of the United States, its waterways have provided a way for Americans to increase their standard of living. Ports like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore all were important during colonial times and are still important today. US ports and waterways systems are truly a national resource. US ports and waterways have historically performed a role as the critical lifeline for our nation's international and domestic trade since the birth of our country. Like any other national resource, it must be cared for and cultivated to meet the growing needs of its users, which include not only the direct users, but also each and every citizen. This cultivation must include consideration of future needs such as projected growth in waterborne commerce and characteristics and technology developments associated with its direct users (carriers, shippers, importers and exporters).
The national transportation system was composed of relatively discrete units of rail, road and water transportation sub-systems, which interfaced by necessity rather than by design. Today, due to increasing cargo volumes and competition from other national port systems, the cornerstone of our national port and waterways system must be the recognition that intermodalism maximizes the efficiency of our system and provides the well marked pathways to future planning and development efforts. Intermodalism requires a seamless transportation system, which provides smooth transition of cargo from one transportation mode to the other. It also requires the recognition that the waterborne and land based infrastructure must develop with the needs of the users in mind. These developments must include developing technology in the areas of ship design and onboard equipment, vessels traffic systems, aids, and port access programs that efficiently link marine transportation systems to their rail and road links.
We as a nation benefited initially from the water access to our...