The international trend in commercial shipping is toward fewer but larger vessels. With more detailed and up-to-date information about water levels, currents, and obstructions, the newer, deeper-draft ships can operate more efficiently and safely enter U.S. harbors, carrying more cargo for export.
--On March 24, 1989, heading out
from the port of Valdez, Alaska, the fully loaded EXXON VALDEZ strayed from the shipping
channel and struck Bligh Reef, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William
Sound.
Maritime commerce is critical to the health of the U.S. economy. More than 98 percent of our nation's foreign trade by weight consists of waterborne cargo. Today, foreign trade accounts for more than 20 percent of our nation's gross domestic product. By the year 2000, this figure is expected to climb to 30 percent.
The international trend in commercial
shipping is toward fewer but larger vessels. With better information about water levels, currents,
and obstructions, the newer, deeper-draft ships can enter U.S. harbors and carry more cargo for
export.
The Association of Maryland Pilots recently raised Baltimore's maximum draft from 39.5 feet to 41 feet--a direct result of the pilots' use of real-time water-level data from NOAA gauges in the Chesapeake Bay. Similar impacts have been seen in Delaware River and Bay System, in Portland, Oregon, and in Tampa, Florida. Estimated revenue increases range from $36,000 to $288,000 for each additional foot of draft for large bulk and container ships.
National economic models indicate that if port shoaling or uncertainty about water levels added one percent to the cost of crude petroleum imports, $3.1 billion would be lost from our gross domestic product, along with 61,000 jobs.
Although maritime accidents aren't as frequent as road accidents, when they do happen, they take a substantial toll: lost lives and cargo, damage to species and sensitive ecosystems, port and fishery shutdowns, and increased insurance premiums. For this reason, commercial shipping lines depend on reliable positioning systems, accurate charts, tide tables and current data.
The international trend in commercial shipping is toward fewer but larger vessels. With better information about water levels, currents and obstructions, the newer, deeper-draft ships can enter U.S. harbors and carry more cargo for export. Inches matter.
New technologies can provide commercial ship operators with the information they need--even in real time.
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U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center
Local Notice to Mariners
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Navigation Data Center
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Navigation Information Connection
Interactive Marine Observations
Marine Weather
National Transportation Safety Board
American Association of Port Authorities
Maritime Administration
Smart
Forum
Listing of Marine Web Sites
Listing of Maritime Companies
Listing of Cargo Port Links
