MARAD OPENS TO VISA CARRIER ENROLLMENT

MARAD OPENS TO VISA CARRIER ENROLLMENT    The U.S. Maritime Administration has announced its enrollment period for commercial ocean carriers to place their U.S.-flag military-useful vessels in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement for fiscal 2003.
   The purpose of the VISA program is to provide the Defense Department with “assured access” to commercial vessel capacity and related-intermodal infrastructure to move sustainment cargo during times of war or national emergency. There about 50 carrier participants with a combined 115 vessels currently in the program.
   The enrollment period is open until May 31. Current participants in the VISA program are not required to apply and will be automatically extended to fiscal 2003 enrollment.
   For more information or applications, contact Frances M. Olsen, chief of MarAd’s Division of Sealift Programs, at 202-366-2323.