The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved the formation of the International Maritime Advisory Committee with Dr. R. Bowen Loftin, vice president and chief executive officer, Texas A&M University at Galveston, as its first chairman.

The IMAC will serve as a liaison between the maritime, port and intermodal business sectors, the local and state legislatures, and the government agencies and departments that manage and develop maritime lands and facilities for maritime, port and intermodal transportation uses.

Bob Mitchell, BAHEP president, recognized the urgent need for the IMAC stating, “The maritime industry in Houston is much more robust and significantly larger than most realize. In fact, one out of every 10 ships that are destined for the United States use the Port of Houston as their primary port of entry. With changing global shipping patterns and the expansion of the Panama Canal, there are many opportunities that are emerging upon which this committee can capitalize. Additionally, I am very appreciative that Dr. Loftin, an educator who is widely recognized for his excellence, has accepted the chairmanship.”

There are potentially several areas of involvement in which the IMAC will work. These include: workforce development and maritime education; intermodal transportation issues associated with ship, barge, truck, and rail; and homeland security on water routes.

The BAHEP Business to Business page will release further information on the activities of the International Maritime Advisory Committee once it is fully formed and operational.