4.3: Marine Transportation
Safe, efficient and environmentally sound marine transportation Other Information:
The Marine Transportation System (MTS) spans ports and inland waterways across U.S. coastal waters and oceans to support commerce,
recreation, and national security. MTS supports the Nation's economy, with more than 77 percent by weight and 95 percent by
volume of U.S. overseas trade carried by ship. By 2020, the value of domestic maritime freight is forecasted to nearly double.
MTS is increasingly vulnerable to natural and human-caused disruptions that will potentially impact the viability of the economy.
Increased maritime activity can stress sensitive marine and freshwater environments and increase the risk of maritime accidents.
Improving the reliability and resilience of MTS will decrease risks to the economy and the environment. To achieve this objective,
NOAA will support operational decisions for oceans and coasts with such fundamental services as marine weather forecasts,
nautical charts, surveying and mapping data, real-time oceanographic information, oceanographic predictions and forecasts,
and an accurate national positioning framework. NOAA will bring science and search and rescue functions to bolster emergency
preparedness and response to the MTS, helping to save lives and mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of hazardous
incidents, including oil spills. To ensure efficient and environmentally sound operations throughout MTS, NOAA will continue
to work with Federal, State, and local partners to boost technology and bring improvements to MTS products and services, reducing
the hydrographic survey backlog in navigationally significant areas. NOAA will strengthen international partnerships to encourage
the production and distribution of navigation information, and ensure that global standards and policies are consistent with
U.S. interests. Over the next five years, evidence of progress toward this objective will include: * Reduced maritime incidents
in U.S. waters through timely and accurate navigational information; * Increased capacity in MTS to promote greater efficiency
and economic growth; * Improved national geospatial framework for increased accuracy of navigation products and services;
* Reduced hydrographic survey backlog in navigationally significant areas; * Increased percentage of national ports with access
to real-time navigation products and services; and * Increased preparedness and response to maritime incidents and emergencies.
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