Cargo Business Newswire

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Maritime Administration announces internal reorganization

This week the Maritime Administration announced an organizational realignment that will help ensure the U.S. is ready to meet future sealift needs during conflicts or national emergencies, according to an agency statement

MARAD reports that the former Office of National Security is now the Office of Strategic Sealift, with three areas of focus: Federal Sealift, Commercial Sealift, and Maritime Workforce.

Federal Sealift will continue to be responsible for Ready Reserve Force vessels, emergency preparedness and the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Commercial Sealift will coordinate both the cargo preference and maritime security programs, according to the statement, and the Office of Maritime Workforce Development will evaluate mariner training needs and enforce service obligations for maritime academy graduates.

MARAD notes the realignment synchronizes the activities that support the vessels and crews, bolstering U.S. economic and national security.