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May
by Patrick Naughton
The May meeting of the Chesapeake Section was treated to a presentation by Mr. Alex Landsburg (MARAD), Dr. Bruce Parker (NOAA), and Dr. Henry Marcus (MIT). Additionally, Mr. Paul Mentz (BMT-Syntek) acted as a moderator for the afternoon's presentation. In the presentation the authors provided a brief outline of past innovations in the Maritime Industry and provided a picture of possible technological and societal changes in the coming decades. The authors noted the results from a recent report to congress on maritime technology and innovation and presented ideas received from both industry and government on areas where research needs were deemed critical.
With respect to the necessity for R&D in the maritime industry it was noted that current projections indicate a potential for a 200-300% growth in international trade. However, there is a need to recognize that R&D alone will not accomplish change and there is a need to work collaboratively and think "Holistically" when addressing R&D issues (that is, how a specific issues fits within the larger whole, including how the maritime transportation system fits within an overall intermodal transportation system).
With respect to transportation R&D it was noted that the highway and rail systems have been reasonably well funded through a program called T-21 and that work is ongoing on trying to put together similar programs for the Marine Transportation System (Called Sea-21). The events of last September I Ith have also moved...