Connaughton: U.S. involvement in international maritime must grow

Connaughton: U.S. involvement in international maritime must grow    New U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton told attendees at a Southern California luncheon Monday that his agency will focus on four main objectives under his watch, among them promoting increased U.S. involvement in the international maritime industry.
   Connaughton, named to head MarAd five weeks ago, said other priorities are:
   * Facilitating transportation development to ease congestion nationwide.
   * Helping the industry meet new and augmented government compliance standards.
   * Expanding the agency's national security reach to extend to domestic emergencies.
   'We will focus on the promotion of American involvement in the maritime industry,' Connaughton said at the luncheon, held by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association in San Pedro. 'It's not just about how many U.S.-registered vessels there are, it's about how much U.S. involvement there is in the industry. It's about involvement in the financial aspects of the industry. It's about involvement in ship operations. It's about involving America in each segment of the industry.'
   Connaughton also said he hopes MarAd will eventually develop into a voice for the maritime community when dealing with other federal agencies, particularly in the arena of compliance, like environmental regulations.
   The new MarAd chief is on a tour of the nation's major ports — he's due to meet with Oakland officials today, then travel to the Gulf Coast — and expects to meet with port officials of the nation's 10 biggest seaports by year's end.