[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7333]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) / Joint Planning 
Advisory Group (JPAG) (63 FR 4687)

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Synopsis of February 10-12, 1998 Meeting with VISA 
Participants.

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    On February 10-12, 1998, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and 
the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) co-hosted a 
meeting of the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) Joint 
Planning Advisory Group (JPAG) at the MARAD Emergency Operations 
Center, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
    Meeting attendance was by invitation only, due to the nature of the 
information discussed and the need for a government-issued security 
clearance. Of the 23 U.S.-flag carrier corporate participants enrolled 
in VISA at the time of the meeting, 18 were represented, as well as 
representatives from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department 
of Transportation (DOT).
    Following opening remarks by Mr. John E. Graykowski, Acting 
Maritime Administrator, Government representatives provided briefings 
to VISA participants on military operation plans and VISA activation 
procedures. VISA carriers then convened in separate work groups with 
Government analysts to discuss the strategic lift requirements and to 
review draft VISA concepts of operations (CONOPS) for future refinement 
and validation. These VISA CONOPS will be used to model intermodal 
sealift capacity planning for the upcoming TURBO CHALLENGE 98 VISA JPAG 
exercise scheduled for April 1998.
    Only one stated goal of the February 1998 VISA JPAG was not 
accomplished. This was the development of VISA carrier draft capacity 
commitment levels for VISA Stages I & II. However, VISA Stage III 
capacity commitments of 50% of each participant's militarily useful 
U.S.-flag capacity (100% of capacity for Maritime Security Program 
[MSP] ships) has been adopted. VISA Stage I & II commitment levels as a 
percentage of each VISA participant's militarily useful U.S.-flag fleet 
total capacity will be determined following the successful completion 
of the VISA Rate Methodology Working Group (RMWG) analysis.
    The full text of the VISA program is published in 62 FR 6837-6845, 
dated February 13, 1997. One of the program requirements is that MARAD 
periodically publish a list of VISA participants in the Federal 
Register. As of March 10, 1998, the following commercial U.S.-flag 
vessel operators are enrolled in VISA with MARAD: Alaska Cargo 
Transport, Inc., American Auto Carriers, Inc., American Automar, Inc., 
American President Lines, Ltd., American Ship Management, LLC, Central 
Gulf Lines, Inc., Crowley Maritime Corporation, Falgout Brothers, Inc., 
Farrell Lines Incorporated, First American Bulk Carrier Corp., Lykes 
Lines Limited, L.L.C., Maersk Line Limited, Matson Navigation Company, 
Inc., Moby Marine Corporation, NPR, Inc., OSG Car Carriers, Inc., RR & 
VO L.L.C., Sealift, Inc., Sea-Land Service, Inc., Smith Maritime, Totem 
Ocean Trailer Express, Inc., Trailer Bridge, Inc., Van Ommeren Shipping 
(USA) LLC, and Waterman Steamship Corporation.

CONTACT PERSON FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Raymond R. Barberesi, 
Director, Office of Sealift Support, (202) 366-2323.

    Dated: March 17, 1998.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-7333 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
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