MARAD's Jaenichen Reminds Students 'Logistics Matter'

In a speech at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, Acting Maritime Administrator Paul "Chip" Jaenichen reminded students that "logistics matter." The business of moving, supplying, and maintaining our joint forces is critical to their success.

Acting Administrator Jaenichen also made it clear to students that, when it comes to logistics, MARAD has their backs. He explained that MARAD works with the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) and the Military Sealift Command (MSC) to ensure that our nation has sufficient ships and merchant mariners to meet its strategic deployment and sustainment requirements. MARAD programs ensure that both government and privately owned vessels are available to TRANSCOM and MSC when needed.

Through the Ready Reserve Force of MARAD-owned ships, the U.S. flagged private ships of the Voluntary Intermodal Shipping Agreement (VISA), and the Maritime Security Program (MSP), the American maritime community makes its vessels and its mariners available for national service whenever our joint forces need logistics support.

He added that, for example, these efforts resulted in effective and seamless sealift delivery during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. MSP vessels have been a key contributor to US efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, moving more than 50 percent of all military cargo.  And since 2009 alone, MSP ships have carried more than 90 percent of the cargo needed to support U.S. military operations and rebuilding efforts in both countries.