Overview and Priorities for Action 2013
The United States is an Arctic nation.Due to climate change, the Arctic is warming faster than any other region on Earth. As the loss of sea ice creates a more accessible Arctic, we must consider:
Risks and opportunities for commerce and economic growth;
Security of our maritimedomain;
Indigenous peoples and their subsistence cultures; and
Marine resource management,particularly along the Alaskan coast
Safe marine transportation is fundamental to each of these pursuits. For this reason, the region and the United States need an Arctic Marine Transportation System (MTS).
The Arctic MTS should be capable of meeting the safety, security, and environmental protection needs of present and future Arctic stakeholders and activities.
The international Arctic Council, comprising eight circumpolar states (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States), has recognized the incontrovertible links among marine transportation, environmental protection, and sustainable Arctic development.
A report published by US Committee on the Marine Transportation System, entitled as ” US Arctic Marine Trasportation System: Overview and Priorities for Action 2013″ describes the 16 elements of the US Arctic Marine Transportation System (MTS), identifies current and planned federal activities, including milestones and timeframes, in support of the Arctic MTS and calls for the CMTS to take a leadership role to oversee, coordinate, and manage these actions in collaboration with other stakeholders
For more information, please click at the report CMTS U S Arctic MTS Report 07-30-13.pdf