[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 21812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10801]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA)/Joint Planning 
Advisory Group (JPAG)

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Synopsis of April 19, 2001 meeting with VISA participants.

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    On April 19, 2001, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the 
United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) co-hosted a meeting 
of the VISA JPAG at MARAD headquarters, Washington, DC.
    Meeting attendance was by invitation only, due to the nature of the 
information discussed and the need for a government-issued security 
clearance. Of the 55 U.S.-flag carrier corporate participants currently 
enrolled in VISA, 23 VISA carrier representative companies participated 
in the JPAG. In addition, JPAG attendance included representatives from 
the Department of Defense (DOD), the Military Traffic Management 
Command, Military Sealift Command, USTRANSCOM and MARAD.
    Following opening remarks by Acting Deputy Maritime Administrator 
Bruce J. Carlton and Mr. Daniel F. McMillin, Deputy Director, Plans and 
Policy Directorate (TCJ5) USTRANSCOM, Government representatives 
provided participants with an overview of expected outcomes. The JPAG 
objectives included: (1) Familiarization of VISA participants with the 
specific procedures to be used during a VISA activation; (2) validation 
of DOD planning assumptions for VISA carrier liner routes; (3) an 
examination of VISA carriers ability to fulfill potential contingency 
requirements as well as identification of equipment capabilities and/or 
shortfalls; and (4) an update on progress made toward training U.S. 
civilian mariners to operate in a chemical/biological warfare 
environment.
    During the JPAG, VISA participants convened in separate work groups 
with Government analysts to offer solutions and recommendations to 
satisfy DOD requirements. Afterwards, the groups met together to 
discuss the results. The VISA participants were also briefed on the 
USTRANSCOM sponsored Exercise ``Turbo Challenge 2001''.
    The full text of the VISA program is published in 66 FR 10938-
10947, dated February 20, 2001. One of the program requirements is that 
MARAD periodically publish a list of VISA participants in the Federal 
Register. As of April 19, 2001, the following commercial U.S.-flag 
vessel operators were enrolled in VISA with MARAD: Alaska Cargo 
Transport Inc., American Automar, Inc., American President Lines, Ltd., 
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier, LLC, American Ship Management, 
L.L.C., Automar International Car Carrier, Inc., Beyel Brothers Inc., 
Central Gulf Lines, Inc., Cook Inlet Marine, Crowley Liner Services, 
Inc., Crowley Marine Services, Inc., CSX Lines, LLC, Donjon Marine Co., 
Double Eagle Marine, LLC, E-Ships, Inc., Farrell Lines Incorporated, 
First American Bulk Carrier Corp., First Ocean Bulk Carrier-I, LLC, 
First Ocean Bulk Carrier-II, LLC, First Ocean Bulk Carrier-III, LLC, 
Foss Maritime Company, Gimrock Maritime, Inc., Lockwood Brothers, Inc., 
Liberty Shipping Group Limited Partnership, Lykes Lines Limited, LLC., 
Lynden Incorporated, Maersk Line, Limited, Matson Navigation Company, 
Inc., Maybank Navigation Company, LLC, McAllister Towing & 
Transportation Company, Inc., Moby Marine Corporation, Moran Towing 
Corporation, NPR, Inc., Ocean Marine Shipping, Inc., Odyssea Shipping 
Line LLC, OSG Car Carriers, Inc., Resolve Towing & Salvage, Inc., 
Samson Tug & Barge Company, Inc., Sea Star Line, LLC, Seacor Marine 
International Inc., Sealift Inc., Signet Maritime Corporation, Smith 
Maritime, STEA Corporation, Stevens Towing Co., Inc., Superior Marine 
Services, Inc., Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc., Trailer Bridge, 
Inc., TransAtlantic Lines LLC, Trico Marine Operators, Inc., Troika 
International, Ltd., U.S. Ship Management, Inc., Van Ommeren Shipping 
(USA) LLC, Waterman Steamship Corporation, and Weeks Marine, Inc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William F. Trost, Acting Director, 
Office of Sealift Support, (202) 366-2323.

    Dated: April 25, 2001.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-10801 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
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