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Government Relations Priorities

Maritime Information

A Key Component of the U.S. 21st Century Freight Movement Network

Maritime “infrastructure” is generally thought of as maintains the nation’s suite of coastal nautical cranes, , dredged channels, locks, damsTitle ch arts, an essential tool for safe navigation. and other tangible structures. While the construc- tion, maintenance, and operation of “hard” infra- NOAA also manages the Physical Oceanogra- structure are essential to safe, efficient freight phic Real-Time System (PORTS), which is a movement, the same value has not historically source of critical real-time data related to tides been placed on “soft” or information infrastructure and currents. Accurate real-time information can that supports maritime freight movement. Also, in- increase safety, lower shipping costs and ulti- vestment in information technology can mitigate mately enhance our international competitive- the effects of limitations in the ability to invest ness and lower consumer prices. in (typically more expensive) by facilitating more efficient use of existing infra- Integrated Marine Safety Information (MSI) pro- structure. ject: CMTS has embarked on an effort to co- ordinate various government-provided navigation The federal Committee on the Marine Transpor- information services into an integrated navigation tation System (CMTS) brings together leaders of information service that can be accessed and over 20 federal agencies involved in maritime delivered electronically in a variety of formats to freight movement to develop a more integrated meet end user needs. Eventually, the consoli- set of federal information infrastructure capabili- dated MSI will be available as web services ties through: accessible via various devices (computer, smart- phone, tablet), integrated into existing navigation • Integrating systems, and logistics systems and transmitted via Auto- • Seamless data exchange, matic Identification System (AIS) to be displayed • Human-focused interfaces, on vessel navigation systems more quickly and • Decision-focused information, efficiently than can be done with current infor- • Improved connectivity, and mation systems and dissemination methods. • Interagency information coordination. FILS/FINDE: Federal-Industry Logistics Standar- EXAMPLES dization/Federal Initiative for Navigation Data Enhancement (FILS/FINDE) is a joint public- NOAA’s National Service PORTS pro- private effort by the federal government and gram: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric industry working together on common data Administration's (NOAA) National Ocean Service standards, identifying authoritative sources and provides information that is invaluable to mari- working towards “single window” reporting of ners for the safe navigation of vessels in and required data. The increased speed and accu- around federal navigation channels and nearby racy of the data exchange is expected to save waterways. For example, NOAA builds and time and money not only for the marine carriers and service providers but for other stakeholders tional Maritime Organization (IMO) has embarked such as port authorities as well. on development of the concept of e-Navigation, which they define as “the harmonized collection, ACTIONS REQUESTED: integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of maritime information onboard and ashore by • Expand NOAA’s PORTS locations and fund electronic means to enhance berth-to-berth navi- the system’s installation, operation and main- gation and related services, for safety and se- tenance per the Hydrographic Services Im- curity at sea and protection of the marine envi- provement Act of 1998 which states that ronment.” NOAA “shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, design, install, maintain, and The efforts of U.S. federal agencies, industry, and operate real-time hydrographic monitoring other stakeholders to implement efforts in support systems to enhance navigation safety and of the e-Navigation concept promises to provide a efficiency.” While Congress has appropriated positive return on investment and help reach the funds for installation and design, they have long-term global goals of e-Navigation. not provided funds for maintaining the system. Instead, port authorities and others in the FUNDING SUMMARY maritime sector are helping to pay for these AAPA calls on Congress to provide adequate systems, even service elimination due to funds for NOAA to ensure shippers have the mari- inadequate maintenance funding. Congress time information infrastructure needed for the 21st should fully fund NOAA's PORTS program. century. This includes: • Streamline the ability for federal agencies to implement public-private partnership (PPP) • Robust funding of NOAA’s Navigation, Ob- agreements to advance implementation of servations, and Positioning programs; and maritime information infrastructure initiatives. • Fully fund the , operation and maintenance of NOAA’s PORTS program.

The importance of maritime information infrastruc- March 2018 ture has been recognized worldwide. The Interna-

To learn more, visit AAPA's website at www.aapa-ports.org or phone 703-684-5700