A national conference in the fall of 1998 will address key issues identified in the regional listening sessions, develop solutions, and explore potential strategies. The conference also will develop a vision for an improved and more cooperative approach to the delivery of federal services. Marine transportation currently carries 95 percent of U.S. overseas trade, and projections show that U.S.-foreign ocean borne trade is expected to more than double by the year 2020. Commuter ferries, recreational boating and other recreational uses of the waterways also are expected to increase, placing greater demands on the marine transportation system. Transportation Department participants emphasized the role intermodal connectors play in moving goods to and from port facilities.
Most international commerce passes through ports and terminals.
Making sure we can efficiently transfer our commercial cargoes from water to land modes of transportation has the added benefit of providing an effective transportation system to meet defense transportation needs as well. Many federal agencies, state and local governments, port authorities, labor, and private industry share responsibility for the marine transportation system. Economic, safety and environmental implications of aging infrastructure, inadequate channels and congested intermodal connections are expected to become more critical as marine traffic volume increases. Failure to plan now for these challenges could reduce U.S. competitiveness and increase risks to safety and the marine environment. 1320 Port of New Orleans Place.