Welcome to The CMTS
Welcome to the Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS) website. The CMTS is a Federal Cabinet-level, inter-departmental committee chaired by the Secretary of Transportation.
The purpose of the CMTS is to create a partnership of Federal departments and agencies with responsibility for the Marine Transportation System (MTS). The job of the CMTS is to ensure the development and implementation of national MTS policies that are consistent with national needs and to report to the President its views and recommendations for improving the MTS.
The MTS is essential to the American economy; it supports millions of American jobs, facilitates trade, moves people and goods, and provides a safe, secure, cost-effective, and energy-efficient transportation alternative. But because much of the system’s infrastructure is aging and constrained by capacity limitations, the CMTS is working to ensure that the MTS continues to meet the present and future needs of our nation... keep reading »
Bulletin Board
11
Jan
2017
Now Available: The CMTS report "Recommendations and Criteria for Using Federal Public-Private Partnerships to Support Critical U.S. Arctic Maritime Infrastructure"
The CMTS report “Recommendations and Criteria for Using Federal Public-Private Partnerships to Support Critical U.S. Arctic Maritime Infrastructure" puts forward 19 recommendations for the implementation of public-private partnerships (P3s) in developing, improving, and maintaining infrastructure in support of Federal maritime activities, national security, navigation safety, and stewardship of natural resources in the U.S. Arctic.
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16
Dec
2016
Announcing the Launch of the Maritime Topic on Data.gov
The CMTS Maritime Data IAT, in conjunction with the Data.gov program office, is proud to announce the launch of the
Maritime Topic on Data.gov. The Maritime Topic provides the Federal maritime community with a central location to archive and share datasets related to marine transportation. It includes an inventory of publicly available maritime datasets that are accessible through Data.gov as well as blog posts that allow agencies to highlight recent developments in the maritime data community.
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23
Nov
2016
CMTS-TRB 4th Biennial R&D; Conference Summary Now Available
The CMTS collaborated with the Transportation Research Board (TRB) to hold its fourth biennial research and development conference, “From Sail to Satellite: Delivering Solutions for Tomorrow’s Marine Transportation System,” at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, on June 21-23, 2016. The forum examined emerging and innovative technologies and practices in marine transportation and waterways management.
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16
Nov
2016
Updated MTS-Related Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) List Available
The CMTS has updated the list of MTS-Related Federal Advisory Committees (FACs), including the committee managers or Designated Federal Officer (DFO) contacts. There are currently 39 FACs that either deal with MTS-related issues or can impact the MTS under the Departments of Commerce, Transportation, Homeland Security, and Defense and other agencies.
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11
Oct
2016
Actions and Accomplishments of the CMTS: July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016
We are pleased to provide the CMTS Annual Report for July 2015 through June 2016 under the Coordinating Board leadership of VADM Manson K. Brown, USCG (Ret.) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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11
May
2016
Infrastructure Week 2016: Marine Transportation System #InfrastructureMatters
Infrastructure Week (May 16-23, 2016) is a collaborative effort by businesses, civic groups, organizations, and other infrastructure stakeholders to bring awareness to the importance of infrastructure in our nation. Through events, advocacy, webinars, and social media taking place around the country, participants will bring attention to infrastructure. Infrastructure Week is the largest, most diverse, non-partisan coalition of organizations dedicated to strengthening America by rebuilding our infrastructure. See how you can be involved at
http://infrastructureweek.org/.
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9
May
2016
NOW AVAILABLE! The CMTS report, "A Ten-Year Prioritization of Infrastructure Needs in the U.S. Arctic"
The CMTS report, "A Ten-Year Prioritization of Infrastructure Needs in the U.S. Arctic," presents a framework to address Arctic infrastructure gaps. It identifies critical requirements for a safe and secure U.S. Arctic Marine Transportation System (MTS) to be implemented over the next decade. There are 43 recommendations covering five core MTS components (waterways management, physical infrastructure, information infrastructure, response services, and vessel operations). These components, if integrated over time, support the establishment of a stronger, more resilient U.S. Arctic MTS.
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7
Jan
2016
Assessing Marine Transportation System (MTS) Resilience
There are numerous interpretations and applications of the term "resilience" as it relates to the Marine Transportation System (MTS) and to the individual Federal agencies working with the MTS. The U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS) MTS Resilience Integrated Action Team (Resilience IAT) reviewed the range of factors impacting MTS resilience. A summary report, "U.S. Federal Activities Analyzing Marine Transportation System Resilience," identifies and categorizes MTS resilience factors and pinpoints the priority environmental and non-environmental resilience factors for Resilience IAT member agencies.
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U.S. Federal Activities Analyzing Marine Transportation System Resilience
11
Dec
2015
Actions & Accomplishments of the CMTS: July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015
We are pleased to provide the CMTS Annual Report for July 2014 through June 2015. Under the Coordinating Board leadership of Major General John Peabody, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations for the US Army Corps of Engineers, the CMTS completed the first of three reports in support of the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, “10-Year Projection of Maritime Activity in the U.S. Arctic”; and it established two new interagency teams—the Maritime Data Integrated Action Team and the MTS Resilience Integrated Action Team. The CMTS continues to make great strides to support an active interagency partnership to support the MTS.
Actions & Accomplishments of the CMTS: July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015
1
Dec
2015
CMTS 10th Anniversary Leadership Roundtable: Reflecting Forward
The CMTS 10th Anniversary Roundtable: Reflecting Forward, held on Friday, November 20, 2015, at the Department of Transportation Headquarters, was attended by nearly 80 marine transportation system (MTS) partners and stakeholders. Two panels of past and present leaders of the CMTS discussed the Committee’s origins, its accomplishments over the past 10 years, and the future needs of the MTS. They also kicked off enhanced stakeholder engagement under the 2015-2016 CMTS work plan.
CMTS 10th Anniversary Roundtable: Reflecting Forward
18
Nov
2015
CMTS Webinar on Public-Private Partnerships in the U.S. Arctic
The CMTS was tasked by DOT Secretary Foxx to complete three tasks in the National Strategy on the Arctic Region Implementation Plan under Line of Effort 1. As part of the response to task three (1.1.3), the CMTS is hosting a webinar and conference call on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, 4:00-5:30 pm (EST), to learn of existing or planned infrastructure public-private partnerships (P3) related to the marine transportation system and to receive recommendations and ideas regarding the use of P3s.
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CMTS Webinar: Public-Private Partnerships and the Federal Arctic MTS
26
Oct
2015
Updated Federal Funding Handbook for Marine Transportation System Infrastructure
The US Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS), in conjunction with the White House Build America Initiative, has developed a Handbook of Federal Funding Sources for Marine Transportation System (MTS)-Related Investments.
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Federal Funding Handbook for Marine Transportation System Infrastructure
25
Oct
2015
The Cotton Club Public-Private Partnership Roundtable Proceedings Published
In May 2015, several representatives of the CMTS Coordinating Board met with the DC-based Cotton Club to share lessons learned and best practices for implementing public-private partnerships for infrastructure, particularly for MTS-related investments. The Cotton Club is a chartered organization comprised of the transportation and trade attachés from the embassies in Washington, DC, particularly from Western Europe and Asia. For additional information, contact Ms. Pat Mutschler at pat.mutschler@cmts.gov.
The Cotton Club Public-Private Partnership Roundtable Proceedings
25
Oct
2015
Compendium of Public-Private-Partnership (P3) Authorities for Infrastructure Investment Published
The Compendium of Public-Private-Partnership (P3) Authorities for Infrastructure Investment, developed by Mr. Mike Smitsky of the MARAD Office of Counsel on behalf of the CMTS, is a collection of the statutory citations and language for P3 investments within eight Federal Departments. The compendium addresses some of the commonalities and differences among the various authorities and highlights some of the foundational information for developing an understanding of how the US Federal Government enters into various types of P3 relationships.
Compendium of Federal Public-Private Partnership Authorities for Infrastructure Investments
23
Jun
2015
MG John Peabody Turns Over CMTS Coordinating Board Chairmanship to the Secretary of Commerce
The Sub-Cabinet CMTS Coordinating Board provides high-level policy and work plan guidance. At the Board’s June 23, 2015, meeting, Board chair Major General John Peabody, US Army Corps of Engineers, turned over the gavel to the Department of Commerce after reporting on the achievements of the CMTS during his term. Among many activities, the CMTS completed the “Ten-Year Projection of Maritime Activity in the US Arctic” report to the White House, proof-of-concept for a joint Notice to Mariners, a summary report on MTS performance measures, establishment of a maritime data team and an MTS resilience team, and an update of the Federal MTS Funding Handbook. An annual report for the 2014-15 term will be issued at the next Coordinating Board meeting. For more information on the CMTS Coordinating Board, contact Helen.Brohl@cmts.gov.
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15
Jun
2015
CMTS Hosts Speaker Series on the Build America Transportation Investment Center
On June 4, 2015, the CMTS hosted a Speaker Series on the Build America Transportation Investment Center (BATIC). The BATIC is a one-stop shop for state and local governments, public and private developers, and investors seeking to utilize innovative financing and public-private partnerships to deliver transportation projects.
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6
Jun
2015
Marine Transportation System Performance Measures Executive Summary
The CMTS has released the Marine Transportation System (MTS) Performance Measures 2015 Executive Summary, which summarizes an initial group of MTS performance measures developed from publicly available data sources and presented together for the first time. Each performance measure is accompanied by a graphic showing historical change or current status of the measure. The categories included are economic benefits, capacity and reliability, safety and security, environmental stewardship, and resilience. An interpretation of the measures in category is provided at the end of each section.
CMTS Marine Transportation System Performance Measures 2015 Executive Summary
24
Apr
2015
CMTS Hosts Second Military to Mariner Federal Workshop
The CMTS held a second Military to Mariner Federal Workshop on April 24, 2015, at DOT Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Workshop participants included senior officials from the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Maritime Administration, Military Sealift Command, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Navy.
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27
Mar
2015
Obama Administration Report Includes Summary of CMTS Efforts in Support of Arctic Policy Development
A summary of CMTS efforts in support of Arctic policy development was included in the Obama Administration report highlighting progress made by the Federal government in the Arctic during 2014.
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National Strategy for the Arctic Region Implementation Report
2
Mar
2015
CMTS Releases Report: “Innovative Technologies for a Resilient Marine Transportation System”
The CMTS has issued the summary report of the biennial Marine Transportation System (MTS) research conference, “Innovative Technologies for a Resilient Marine Transportation System,” held with the Transportation Research Board on June 24-26, 2014.
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Innovative Technologies for a Resilient Marine Transportation System
24
Feb
2015
CMTS Webinar: Federal Arctic MTS Activities Update
Over 60 participants joined the CMTS webinar Federal Arctic MTS Activities Update. Presentations were provided by Mr. Eric Cooper, Director, Arctic Region Policy, National Security Council, White House, regarding the recent Presidential Executive Order on the Arctic; CAPT John Mauger, Chief, Office of Design and Engineering Standards, USCG, regarding the IMO Polar Code; and Dr. Alyson Azzara, ICCT, and Mr. Gary Magnuson, CMTS, regarding the CMTS Ten-Year Projection of Maritime Activity in the US Arctic. View the presentations by CAPT Mauger and the CMTS by clicking the links below.
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26
Jan
2015
CMTS Releases Report: “A 10-Year Projection of Maritime Activity in the U.S. Arctic Region”
CMTS has completed the report, “A 10-Year Projection of Maritime Activity in the U.S. Arctic Region,” which provides estimates of vessel traffic (numbers of vessels and transits) based on modeling of current vessel activity patterns, growth potential, and vessel projection scenarios, including diversion from other routes, and oil and gas development. The report also completes the first milestone of the National Strategy for the Arctic Region (NSAR) 2014 Implementation Plan, which is intended to guide Federal activities related to the construction, maintenance, and improvement of marine transportation Arctic infrastructure.
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5
Dec
2014
CMTS Maritime Energy Task Team (METT)
The CMTS Maritime Energy Task Team (METT) was established in December 2013 as an interagency forum for exchanging information and offering opportunities for interagency collaboration to examine a number of promising fuel efficiency measures and technologies and to address the challenges of retrofitting and the availability of fuel infrastructure.
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23
Oct
2014
Dr. Julie Rosati Speaks to the CMTS on Resilience
Thursday, October 23, 2014, proved to be a very educational morning at the US Committee for the Marine Transportation System (CMTS). We had the honor of hearing Dr. Julie Rosati speak on “MTS Resilience: What is Resilience and How to Put it into Practice.”
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Dr. Julie Rosati Speaks to the CMTS on MTS Resilience
2
Oct
2014
2013-2014 CMTS Annual Report Now Available
This report represents the accomplishments of the CMTS under the Chairmanship of the USCG.
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2013-2014 CMTS Annual Report
1
Jul
2014
U.S. Coast Guard "Future of Navigation/21st Century Waterways—Listening Session Feedback" Survey
The U.S. Coast Guard has published its "Future of Navigation/21st Century Waterways—Listening Session Feedback" survey, and it is now available for input.
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17
Jun
2014
CMTS Adopts S-100 as Preferred Data Framework
The Coordinating Board of the U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System adopted the International Hydrographic Organization’s S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model as its preferred data framework for the dissemination and exchange of digital marine safety information and related MTS data collection requirements.
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CMTS Coordinating Board Resolution on the Adoption of the S-100 Marine Data Framework
30
Jul
2013
CMTS U.S. Arctic Marine Transportation System Report
CMTS U.S. Arctic Marine Transportation System Report Submitted by CMTS Chair Foxx to President Obama
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CMTS U S Arctic MTS Report
1
Feb
2013
CMTS Compendium Published
CMTS Publishes Compendium of Federal Programs in the Marine Transportation System
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20
Dec
2012
CMTS Authorized by Congress
On December 20, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No. 112-213). With this action, the CMTS is officially recognized by Congress and is authorized in law, giving our interagency Partnership new authority, new responsibilities, and new opportunities
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CMTS Authorizing Language