Maine Maritime Academy Interim President Craig Johnson ’91 Reappointed to US Department of Transportation Advisory Committee
Johnson to Serve Second Term on Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee
CASTINE, Maine, Thursday, February 6, 2025 – Maine Maritime Academy is pleased to announce that Interim President Craig Johnson ’91 has been reappointed to the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC). Interim President Johnson is the only President from a State Maritime Academy to be selected.
“It is an honor to continue serving on the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee, which plays an important role influencing policy with crucial implications for the entire maritime industry,” said Johnson. “I have enjoyed applying my decades of industry experience to the other incredibly talented men and women who serve along with me. The issues on the horizon in the maritime field over the next few years will have a fundamental impact globally.”
The Committee advises the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and is tasked with helping enhance the efficiency, security, and sustainability of the nation’s maritime transportation system. MTSNAC also focuses on strengthening U.S. ports, infrastructure, and the Merchant Marine, while addressing industry challenges such as workforce development and environmental impact. Maine Maritime Academy and its leadership are uniquely qualified to contribute to this initiative given the industry leading workforce development work MMA is pioneering in the state through Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard collaborations. MTSNAC plays a key role in shaping the future of U.S. maritime commerce.
The U.S. Department of Transportation indicated in his appointment letter that Johnson’s “work representing the views related to workforce development will greatly benefit the MTSNAC and the Department’s efforts to address the challenges facing the maritime transportation system, to expand the capacity and productivity of America’s gateway ports, and to help the U.S. maritime industry meet the economic and security needs of the nation.”
The United States is currently experiencing the largest shortage in licensed mariners since World War II. MTSNAC and others within the State Maritime Academies are uniquely focused on meeting this demand. ###
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