MARAD EXTENDS VOLUNTARY INTERMODAL SEALIFT AGREEMENT
The U.S. Maritime Administration said it has extended the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement for two years, through Feb. 13, 2005.
VISA makes intermodal shipping services and systems — including vessels and spaces on ships — intermodal equipment and related management services, available to the Department of Defense as required to support the deployment of U.S. military forces. There are 115 U.S.-flag oceangoing vessels in VISA.
According to the agreement, participants from the private sector will assist the Defense and Transportation departments in “a coordinated, seamless transition from peacetime to wartime” by providing “predetermined capacity in designated stages.”
The agreement allows “necessary Jones Act waivers as required.” The DOT will provide “non-premium government war risk insurance” if such insurance is not otherwise available “on reasonable terms and commissions.”
