MARAD Enhances Web Site for Humanitarian Food Aid Program

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) Office of Cargo Preference has enhanced its Humanitarian Food Aid Program web site to include a detailed listing of the amount of food aid distributed under each program to each foreign country.

The MV Liberty Sun loads grain for Agency for International Development program.

The newly-developed reports, which are categorized by program and vessel type, give a breakdown of the actual amounts of total metric tons of US vs foreign shipments contracted to recipient countries. To view the latest information, click on http://www.marad.dot.gov/offices/capos%20reports/html; scroll down to the vessel type, such as liner, and double click.

By clicking on the vessel type, a window opens that contains applicable information on the individual country shipments. The detailed reports by country by vessel type are in portable document format (pdf). The reports must be viewed via a browser, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, which may be obtained free of charge from its web site.

Within MARAD, monitoring of agricultural cargoes falls under the auspices of the Cargo Preference program as cited by Titles I, II and III of P.L. 83-480; Section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949; and the Food for Progress Act of 1985.

Using U.S.-flag vessels has not only strengthened America’s economic security but also provided available vessels and training to America’s seafarers, who stand ready to protect our defense security.

The Office of Cargo Preference is responsible for monitoring and ensuring adherence to the U.S.-cargo preference laws and regulations. These laws are part of the overall statutory program to support the privately owned and operated U.S.-flag merchant marine. In addition, the laws require that a certain percentage of Government-impelled cargo be carried on U.S.-flag vessels.

To learn more about the overall cargo preference laws, regulations, and programs, visit us on the web at http://www.marad.dot.gov/offices/cargo_pref.html; or via email at cargo.marad@marad.dot.gov; or telephone us at (202) 366-4610 or 800-9US-FLAG.

# # #