Maritime Transportation System Security Recommendations for the National Strategy for Maritime Security

摘要

The Marine Transportation System (MTS) generates nearly $750 billion of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product and handles 95% of all overseas trade. The MTS makes it possible for goods from other countries to be delivered to our front door step. It enables the U.S. to project military presence across the globe, creates jobs that support local economies, and provides a source of recreation for all Americans. Fundamentally, the Nation's economic and military security are closely linked to the health and functionality of the MTS. As a Nation, we must do more to protect the MTS. We must prevent terrorist attacks which could destroy critical infrastructure and key assets in the maritime domain, and disrupt the MTS. That is why Maritime Transportation System Security is an essential component to the National Strategy for Maritime Security. Improving security of the MTS while maintaining its functionality will not be an easy task. A complex system, the MTS is geographically diverse and composed of many types of assets, operations, and infrastructure that are operated and influenced by a diverse set of stakeholders, all of which play an important role in the system. In addition, the MTS is an open system which enables many users to use and benefit from it at minimal cost. The complexity and openness of the MTS make it efficient, however these characteristics also present many challenges to those trying to improve system security.