The Role of Marine Technology in the Global

Economy

The Role of Marine Technology in the Global

Economy

VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.)Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere NOAA AdministratorWorld Maritime Technology ConferenceMarch 6, 2006

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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Menu Slide

Marine Commerce Economics

A Growing Global Trade

Tools and Technologies

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Role in Reopening the Gulf Coast following Hurricanes

Importance of Marine Technology

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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Economic Importance of Marine Commerce

$2 trillion dollars in U.S. waterborne foreign trade

2.5 billion tons of domestic and international commerce

$32 billion dollars in gross output from U.S. water carriers

4.8 million direct and indirect jobs linked to U.S. ports

$16 billion dollars in federal, state and local taxes

More than 90% of global trade is carried by sea

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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Increasing Use of Ocean

Doubling of U.S. Trade by 2020

Growing Trade = Increased Traffic and Larger Vessels

Greater Importance of Marine Navigation Systems

“Without International Shipping, half the world would freeze and the other half would starve.”

-IMO

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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What are the technologies that

provide the tools for growing marine

commerce?

1’ of draft =

$3M in autos

$100K in coal

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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Technology and Tools

Tide Gauge

LiDAR Image of Moss Landing Harbor Channel

Physical Oceanographic Real Time SystemAutonomous Underwater Vehicle

Electronic Navigation Charts

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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Effects of Hurricane Katrina and Rita

Shut-in 100% of oil production –(1.5M barrels/day)

Shut-in 94% of gas production (10B cubic feet/day)

Mississippi Rivermouth closed

Many goods frozen: Grain for Europe and Africa 70 % of U.S. coffee in flooded

warehouse Bananas, Tires, Paint sat on

barges clogging riverways Gas Prices up 150% Trucking rerouted at a loss of

$1M/daty Fisheries Closed

Allianz, Europe’s largest insurer may pay out up to $550 billion

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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NOAA’s Role in Reopening the Gulf

CoastNavigation Response Teams

Damage Assessment Flights & Aerial Photography

Monitoring Water Levels with PORTS

Monitoring Health of Seafood

Navigational Response Teams

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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NOAA’s Role in Reopening the Gulf

CoastHazardous Material Response

Planning for Restoration

Ecosystem Monitoring Water Quality Fishery Stocks

The Role of Marine Technology in Returning the Gulf Coast to the Global Economy

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Commerce Returning to the Gulf and to World

Economy

Fisheries

Oil Industry

Levees

Hotels

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Marine Technology Drives Global

Economy Bridges the gap between ocean users and industry

The future of marine trade depends on global advancement in ocean observation systems

We can see the future in trade but need to expand knowledge of both real time and forecasted ocean changes

Air Gap Sensor, Port of Long Beach

Questions?Questions?