The Future Of The Merchant Marine :: essays research papers fc

From the very beginnings of the United States, its waterways have provided a way for Americans to increase their standard of living. Ports like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore all were great during colonial times and ar still im mienant today. US ways and waterways systems are truly a internal resource. US ports and waterways have historically performed a role as the critical lifeline for our nations internationalist and domestic sell since the birth of our country. Like any other national resource, it must be cared for and cultivated to meet the growing needs of its users, which intromit not only the direct users, but also each and every(prenominal) citizen. This cultivation must allow in consideration of future needs much(prenominal) as projected growth in waterborne commerce and characteristics and engine room instructions associated with its direct users (carriers, shippers, importers and exporters).The national transportation system was composed of rel atively discrete units of rail, path and water transportation sub-systems, which interfaced by necessity rather than by design. Today, due to increasing cargo volumes and competition from other national port systems, the cornerst sensation of our national port and waterways system must be the credit rating that intermodalism maximizes the efficiency of our system and provides the well marked pathways to future planning and development efforts. Intermodalism requires a seamless transportation system, which provides smooth transition of cargo from one transportation mode to the other. It also requires the recognition that the waterborne and land ground infrastructure must develop with the needs of the users in mind. These developments must include developing technology in the areas of ship design and onboard equipment, vessels traffic systems, aids, and port access programs that efficiently link marine transportation systems to their rail and road links.We as a nation benefited in itially from the water access to our trade and we benefit now. There was no need for any national reason on the subject ports needed to be deeper and channels needing to be unplowed clear. Using public funds through the use of the US forces Corp of Engineers solved much of the problem. Port access is alpha to taking into custody the change. A limitation in depth became a problem at many of the countrys ports. The corp. also used private contractors, which were funded through the Corps of Engineers budget. Maintaining the waterways was important for the nation commercially, nationally, the funds were used to accomplish the national objective. The Navy was evermore around various ports and that continues today.