MarAd Reorganization Supports Maritime Initiatives

Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena and the Maritime Administrator Albert J.

Herberger announced the reorganization of the Maritime Administration (MarAd) to support the President's maritime revitalization and shipbuilding initiatives. The changes also reflect the Secretary's priorities in the areas of intermodalism, port development, job creation, economic development and the environment, as set forth in his strategic plan for the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Following enactment of maritime revitalization legislation, a new Office of Sealift Support will be established to implement the Administration's proposed Maritime Security Program. Under the reorganization, other Associate Administrators are: Associate Administrator for Shipbuilding Technology and Development, with an Office of Shipyard Revitalization.

Associate Administrator for Ship Financial Assistance and Cargo Preference.

Associate Administrator for Port, Intermodal and Environmental Activities, including Offices of Intermodal Development and Environmental Activities.

Associate Administrator for Policy, International Trade, and Marketing, including an Office of Statistical and Economic Analysis consolidating functions previously spread over several organizations. Also reporting to the Administrator will be the Coordinator of Research and Development, reflecting increased emphasis throughout the agency in helping private industry use technology to enhance competitiveness. In addition, safety promotion has been added to the functions of the Office of Maritime Labor and Training, which has been renamed the Office of Maritime Labor, Training, and Safety.

Other changes at the headquarters level include redesignating the Office of External Affairs as the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, and assigning responsibility for Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act activities to the Chief Counsel.

Boundaries of MarAd's five regions also are being adjusted. The Atlanta office will be reassigned to the South Atlantic Region, and each region will have responsibility for ports, marketing, intermodal development and environmental activities within its geographic area. A new marketing field office will be established in Miami, and a new field office for marketing, ports and domestic shipping will be created in St. Louis. Mr. Herberger said personnel assignments under the reorganization will be announced shortly. MarAd's new organization chart and region map are available from the Office of Public Affairs, tel.: (202) 366-5807.