Budget ax whacks MARAD

The U.S. Maritime Administration has once again fallen victim to budgetary ax swingers. Only $352 million has been requested for the agency, which in FY 2010 actually got $433 million as opposed to the $363 million enacted. Gone from the FY 2011 is $118 million in small shipyard grants and only $10 million is requested for the ship disposal program (down from $15 million in FY 2010). Just $3.7 million is requested for the Maritime Guaranteed Loan Program (Title XI), to fund its administrative costs.

$164.4 million is requested for the Operations and Training account. This is a $14.6 million increase above FY 2010 enacted levels.

A request of $100 million for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) includes $30.9 million (a $15.9 million increase) to make needed renovations to existing campus facilities. It also includes $6 million to repay students for Midshipman fee overcharges.

$15 million will be dedicated for State Maritime Academies and their activities.

$49.3 million is requested for MARAD operations and programs.

The Maritime Security Program is pegged at the same level as FY 2010--$174 million ($2.9 million per ship) to ensure 60 privately owned militarily useful vessels are available to meet National Defense requirements and other national needs.