MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND R&D TEAM MEETING MINUTES

 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2002

DOT HEADQUARTERS - ROOM 3200

WASHINGTON, D.C.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

 

 

 

ATTENDEES

NAME	REPRESENTING
Henry Marcus	MIT
Carl J. Seiberlich	Transystems Corp
Chris Holdgreve	National Grain and Feed Association
Lisa Himber	Maritime Exchange - Delaware River
Karl Bohlman	All Set
Russell Mortenson	All Set
Sandra Knight	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -Engr. Research & Dev. Center
Ivan Caplan Carderock	Division - NSWC
Andrew Silver	Carderock Division - NSWC
Alex Landsburg	U.S. Maritime Administration
Richard Lolich	U.S. Maritime Administration

The meeting was convened at 1:15 pm by the Chair, Hank Marcus.  All attendees were asked to introduce themselves.  The Chair then asked Carl Seiberlich to brief the group on the recent MTSNAC Security Team meeting.  Mr. Seiberlich reported that the Security Team recommended that the Secretary of Transportation study container security prior to issuing regulationsrelating to empty containers.  The Team also reviewed two Navigation Information Circulars (NVIC) - one on vessel security and one on waterfront security.  The issue of security grants was discussed and a recommendation that security grant funds be included in the fiscal year 2004 budget was made.  Lisa Himber noted that the original amount of $125M had been reduced to $83M over a period of three years.

 

A presentation of an electronic sealing system for freight containers was made by Mr. Russell Mortenson and Mr. Karl Bohlman of All Set.  This system is based on short range radio transmission in an encrypted format, using a small metal sealing device which is permanently affixed to the inside corner of the container. Any unauthorized opening of the container is noted and reported by this device.  The cost of the devise and the infrastructure is relatively low - $100 per container for the infrastructure (i.e. a device that fits onto a global cell phone) and up to $50 per container for the seal.  It was noted that this system would avoid some of the proprietary problems inherent with the ISO 18185 proposed standards (but All Set had problems with the way the proposed  standards were written).

 

Mr. Andrew Silver reported on the Interagency Committee for the MTS (ICMTS) activities and noted that the ICMTS is looking for a partnership to establish a National Cooperative MTS Research Program.  He also advised the group that the ICMTS had been tasked by the MTS National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) to produce a study of MTS Needs. Performance of the study would be the responsibility of the Marine Board. The Statement of Work is being development and the study is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2003.

 

Alex Landsburg reported that there is a new emphasis at the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on R&D.  R&D was a line item in the recent budget request.  Near term:  MARAD is adding an R&D section on the MARAD website.

 

A review and discussion of the draft research tasks for the SEA-21 proposal ensued.  The draft covered 8 broad R&D topics.  Topic #6 generated some discussion, specifically concerning who would facilitate the dialogue on the development and application of technology between labor and management.  The University of California - Long

Beach and the Marine Exchanges were among the suggestions. Lisa Himber offered to provide comments.   Hank Marcus asked the group to review the draft and send comments/suggestions to him prior to the next MTSNAC meeting in New York on November 14-15, 2002.  

 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 pm.