Mid-America Freight Coalition technical contact, Mark Locker of the Ohio Department of Transportation, was asked to serve on the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) committee for two more years. Locker is one of 12 returning members of this committee, which will welcome 28 new members for the next term.

The Council is overseen by MARAD and is described as a chartered, non-federal body that advises the Secretary of Transportation on Marine Transportation System issues, including the effective use and expansion of America’s Marine Highways, sufficient shipbuilding capacity, and port development challenges. The MTSNAC is comprised of leaders from a variety of stakeholders including commercial transportation firms, labor, and public entities.

In his blog on Transportation.gov in April, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen, Maritime Administrator, gave credit to MTSNAC for providing inspiration for multiple initiatives including, Improvements to Title XI ship financing; Inclusion of marine highway corridors on DOT maps; and Establishment of maritime coordinators in state DOTs.