Ann Phillips becomes head of the US Maritime Administration

US President Joe Biden has nominated Ann C. Phillips as Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration.

Phillips served in the US Navy from 1983 to 2014, most recently with the rank of flotilla admiral. At the end of her active service, she commanded Expeditionary Strike Group Two, which comprises all amphibious expeditionary forces on the US East Coast. Prior to that, she served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as deputy director and as director of the Surface Warfare Division. Phillips commanded both the destroyer USS MUSTIN and DESRON 28, the US destroyer squadron 28.

The White House praised Phillips as a "leader in understanding climate impacts on national security at the regional, national and international levels. She is currently focusing on the impact of rising waters and climate change on federal, maritime and other critical coastal infrastructure assets in the state of Virginia.

What is this MARAD?

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) was founded in 1950 with headquarters in Washington and has around 800 employees. It is responsible for waterway and maritime infrastructure, as well as harbour and ship operations in the United States. It is also responsible for national security and environmental protection. Its mission is to promote and develop the US maritime industry to meet the nation's economic and security needs. MARAD also maintains a reserve fleet of cargo ships to provide the necessary transport capacity in the event of war and national emergencies. MARAD also ensures that obsolete ships in this fleet and support units are disposed of properly.