The Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced an organizational realignment that it said will strengthen the Agency’s ability to ensure the nation has sufficient capability to meet sealift needs during conflicts or national emergencies.
Former Office of National Security is now the Office of Strategic Sealift, with three areas of focus:
• Federal Sealift continues to be responsible for Ready Reserve Force vessels, Emergency Preparedness and the National Defense Reserve Fleet.
• Commercial Sealift will coordinate both the Cargo Preference and Maritime Security Programs.
• The Office of Maritime Workforce Development will evaluate mariner training needs, and enforce service obligations for maritime academy graduates.
According to MARAD, the realignment synchronizes the activities that support the vessels and crews that play a key role in our nation’s economic and national security.