Maritime Transportation

While seaports are more commonly the focus of our attention because of their economic as well as environmental impacts on the nation, USC Sea Grant is also invested in public education on the importance of our marine transportation system including issues involving vessels not owned or operated by US companies. The US maritime industry certainly is not as robust as those of other nations who retain large fleets of cargo vessels, yet despite the diminutive size of the US fleet our citizens and policy makers cannot make good judgments about the marine transportation industry until they understand its operations. For that reason, we retain a strong interest in elucidating the processes at work in the industry that brings many goods not only to the US shores but also to US dinner tables, homes, offices, hospitals and workshops. Moreover, the marine transportation system is not solely at sea, its landside impact is felt as goods move through cities and rural areas of the nation by truck and train as well. Our role is particularly felt here as we attempt to understand and recommend remedies to the problems wrought by this caravan of goods movement in the region.

Outreach Projects

• Symposium on Evolution of Maritime Fuels, Ship Speed and Operational Efficiency (July 21, 2014, Los Angeles, CA) 

Lecture and Education Material

• Marine Fuels & Cold Ironing:Saving Fuel and the Environment. Fawcett, J.A. (June, 2013).  
• Logistics Education in the United States Presentation. Fawcett, J.A. (September, 2012).
• Shipping Bulk Cargoes as an Indicator of World Economic Activity. Fawcett, J.A., Lin, K. and Hsieh, A. (October, 2009). Paper presented at the Department of Shipping and Logistics Management, China-Korea Logistics Cooperation Center, Chung Ang University, Seoul, Korea and the Department of Shipping and Transportation Management, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.  

Related Research

• Le, Hanh, D. (2006, February). Integrating Maritime Transportation Movements With The Urban Transportation System (UTS): A Corridor-Centered Approach. University of Southern California. 
• Fawcett, J.A. (2005, April). Harbor Safety in the 21st Century: The Influence of Short Sea Shipping. National Harbor Safety Committee Conference, Long Beach, CA.   

Teaching 

• ENST 370 Marine and Coastal Environmental Policy. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. (2009 - Present). Dr. James Fawcett
• PPD 694 Coastal Policy and Planning. USC Price School of Public Policy. (2004 - Present). Dr. James Fawcett 

National Focus Area

Sustainable Coastal Development