Maritime Data

Maritime Data Integrated Action Team

Purpose

The purpose of the Maritime Data IAT is to serve as the CMTS's body of experts in regard to the discovery, access, and sharing capacity of data related to the operation and governance of the MTS. The work of the Maritime Data IAT includes facilitating the identification, archiving, linking, and integration of authoritative data from agencies with equities in maritime data. Access to interoperable and shareable authoritative data will assist CMTS member agencies in making timely and well-informed decisions that enhance the capabilities of the MTS as well as fulfill strategic analysis and reporting requirements.

Value

Efforts by the Maritime Data IAT will benefit the Nation by (1) improving maritime data discoverability and access through common standards, (2) enhancing informed decision-making through access to authoritative data, and (3) optimizing CMTS member mission effectiveness through shared services and interoperability.

Integrated Action Team Leads

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Maritime Administration

Participating Agencies

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
U.S. Department of Transportation - Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation Statistics, Bureau
U.S. Maritime Administration
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Navy
Transportation Security Administration
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Department of Energy

Activity and Milestones

March 2019: AIS Task Team completed report entitled Enhancing Accessibility and Usability of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data: Across the Federal Government and for the Benefit of Public Stakeholders.
August 2018: Hosted open meeting at TRB Annual Meeting on the topic of Automatic Identification System (AIS) accessibility and requirements across public and private stakeholders.
Fall 2017: Established the AIS Task Team to assess gaps and challenges in the acquisition and use of AIS data, with the goal of eliminating resource overlaps, increasing data accessibility, and sharing developed capabilities and expertise between agencies.
August 2016: A Maritime Data topic was created at Data.gov to increase discoverability of maritime data topics.
August 2016: The Performance Measures website (under Marine Transportation, Performance Measures) was launched in coordination with the R&D IAT to help understand how maritime components are functioning within the larger, complex MTS.
2016: The Marine Transportation System Performance Measures Research, including historical context and a discussion of how the first generation performance measures describe the MTS as an integrated system and fit into a larger freight flow plan, was published in June 2016 by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).
August 2015: The Data IAT coordinated interagency review and participation in the development of the maritime-related sections of the Department of Energy's Quadrennial Energy Review. The Data IAT facilitated coordination and communication between the DOE and the relevant Federal Agencies that collect and analyze energy commodity and movement data, including USACE, the USCG, and the FHWA.
July 2015: Team leads are reviewing the draft work plan.
June 2015: The Coordinating Board approved the CMTS Maritime Data IAT Terms of Reference and directed the IAT to create a work plan.
March 2015: The CMTS Coordinating Board voted to reinstate the Maritime Data IAT.

Resources

BTS Port Performance Freight Statistics Program: This program provides an annual report to Congress, interactive port profiles, and performance metrics on the top 25 US ports by tonnage, TEU, and dry bulk.
Marine Transportation System Performance Measures Research (2016)
Data.gov provides public access to government data for research and consumer applications.
USACE Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center provides data on vessels, ports and waterways facilities, commodity indicators, as well as general waterborne statistics.
MARAD Maritime Data & Statistics is an open data portal which includes statistics and reports on various maritime transportation related topics (e.g. trade, recreation, etc).
USCG AIS Overview provides the basics on AIS as a source of data.
Marine Cadastre is a data repository developed by BOEM and NOAA originally for offshore energy and marine planning is moving toward providing data for broader uses, including AIS data sharing