Formed May 24, 1950 Website www.marad.dot.gov | Preceding agency Maritime Commission Founded 24 May 1950 | |
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Agency executives Paul Jaenichen, Administrator
Michael J. Rodriguez, Deputy Administrator Parent agency Department of Transportation Headquarters Washington, D.C., United States Predecessor United States Maritime Commission Parent organization United States Department of Transportation | ||
United states maritime administration
The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation.
Contents
- United states maritime administration
- History
- Functions
- Leadership
- Maritime Academies
- Subsidies
- Maritime Security Program
- Past leadership
- References
Its programs promote the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, and the viability of the U.S. merchant marine. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety. The Maritime Administration is also charged with maintaining the health of the merchant marine, since commercial mariners, vessels, and intermodal facilities are vital for supporting national security, and so the agency provides support and information for current mariners, extensive support for educating future mariners, and programs to educate America’s young people about the vital role the maritime industry plays in the lives of all Americans.
MARAD also maintains the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) as a ready source of ships for use during national emergencies, and assists the NDRF in fulfilling its role as the nation's fourth arm of defense, logistically supporting the military when needed.
On June 4, Deputy Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen was named Acting Maritime Administrator. He will serve in this role until the appointment and confirmation of a new Maritime Administrator. Acting Maritime Administrator Jaenichen has been with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration since July 2012 when he was appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator by President Obama.
History
When the United States Maritime Commission was abolished on May 24, 1950, its functions were split between the Federal Maritime Board which was responsible for regulating shipping and awarding subsidies for construction and operation of merchant vessels, and Maritime Administration, which was responsible for administering subsidy programs, maintaining the national defense reserve merchant fleet, and operating the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
In 1961, the Federal Maritime Board regulatory functions were assumed by the newly created Federal Maritime Commission, while the subsidy functions were assigned to the Maritime Subsidy Board of the Maritime Administration.
On August 6, 1981, MARAD came under control of the Department of Transportation thereby bringing all transportation programs under one cabinet-level department.
Functions
MARAD administers financial programs to develop, promote, and operate the U.S. Maritime Service and the U.S. Merchant Marine; determines services and routes necessary to develop and maintain American foreign commerce and requirements of ships necessary to provide adequate service on such routes; conducts research and development activities in the maritime field; regulates the transfer of U.S. documented vessels to foreign registries; maintains equipment, shipyard facilities, and reserve fleets of Government-owned ships essential for national defense.
Leadership
Vacant, Administrator
Vacant, Deputy Administrator
David Tubman, Chief Counsel
Michael Novak, Director, Congressional and Public Affairs
Kevin Tokarski, Associate Administrator, Strategic Sealift
Rear Admiral James Helis, USMS, Superintendent, United States Merchant Marine Academy
Delia Davis, Associate Administrator, Administration
John P. Quinn, Associate Administrator, Environment and Compliance
Lauren Brand, Associate Administrator, Intermodal System Development
Owen Doherty, Associate Administrator, Business and Finance Development
Maritime Academies
The Maritime Administration collaborates extensively with stakeholders from all transportation sectors and modes in order to accomplish its mission to improve and strengthen the U.S. marine transportation system. MARAD operates one federal service academy and administers a Grant-In-Aid Program for six state-operated maritime academies:
Students at these academies can graduate with appropriate United States Coast Guard licenses (Mate or Engineer) if they choose to take the Coast Guard License exam, and may become commissioned reserve officers in any branch of the service when graduating from USMMA or a ROTC scholarship from one of the other maritime schools.
Subsidies
The Maritime Subsidy Board negotiates contracts for ship construction and grants operating-differential subsidies to shipping companies.
Maritime Security Program
The Maritime Administrator is vested with the residual powers of the Director of the National Shipping Authority, which was established in 1951 to organize and direct emergency merchant marine operations.
The Maritime Security Program (MSP) authorizes MARAD to enter into contracts with U.S.-flag commercial ship owners to provide service during times of war or national emergencies. As of 2007, ten companies have signed contracts providing the MSP with a reserve of sixty cargo vessels.