[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 25266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12128]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


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

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Synopsis of April 23-24, 1998 meeting with VISA participants.

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    On April 23-24, 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 United States Transportation Command, 
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
    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 27 U.S.-flag carrier corporate participants enrolled 
in VISA at the time of the meeting, 9 were represented, as well as 
representatives from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department 
of Transportation (DOT).
    Government representatives provided operational briefs for the 
USTRANSCOM command post exercise Turbo Challenge 98 which was the 
principal focus of the JPAG. During the exercise, VISA Stage III was 
activated and VISA capacity was allocated. In addition to evaluating 
previously developed Concepts of Operation, the exercise tested VISA 
carriers' ability to position vessel capacity to meet VISA Stage III 
requirements for a major regional contingency.
    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 April 28, 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, Dixie Fuels II, Ltd., 
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., Osprey Shipholding Corp., LLC, RR & VO L.L.C., Sealift, 
Inc., Sea-Land Service, Inc., Smith Maritime, Totem Ocean Trailer 
Express, Inc., Trailer Bridge, Inc., TransAtlantic Lines LLC, 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: May 4, 1998.

    By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-12128 Filed 5-6-98; 8:45 am]
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