The Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC) has 25 new members, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced this week.
DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the appointments June 8, the DOT reports. Members of MTSNAC "will advise the Secretary, through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Administrator, on ways to identify and address impediments hindering the effective use of short sea transportation," DOT states in the announcement.
"The MTSNAC’s counsel comes at a critical time when the Biden-Harris Administration’s top economic priority is tackling inflation and reducing costs for American families," DOT states in the report. "The new members will serve on the MTSNAC during the implementation of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, when addressing supply chains and moving goods to market has never been more important."
Committee members are chosen from private and public sectors, including state and local public entities, environmental groups, commercial transportation companies, trade associations, academic settings and labor organizations, according to the DOT. The MTSNAC also included five senior federal employees, DOT reports.
“The diverse and inclusive perspectives of these leaders will truly make a difference in the maritime industry,” Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips said in the announcement. “We look forward to the energy they will bring to help tackle the urgent challenges business, labor, and federal and state governments face addressing bottlenecks at ports and speeding the movement of people and goods.”
MTSNAC members, "dynamic individuals with in-depth knowledge of their respective industries or government sector," according to the DOT, are tasked with advising the DOT secretary on best actions to make sure the U.S. marine transportation system can keep up with ongoing trade increases, the system's synthesis with the rest of the transportation system and the role of the U.S. Merchant Marine.
“Our maritime industry plays a central role in our supply chains and our economic strength as a nation,” Sec. Buttigieg said in the announcement. “These new members will help us deliver the maritime investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, fighting inflation and reducing delays for the American people.”
