The Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program provides the
defense community with "assured access" to commercial intermodal capacity to
move sustainment cargo during time of war or national emergency. The VISA program
can also be used for initial deployment or "surge" equipment.
The VISA is authorized under MARAD's authorities under the Defense
Production Act of 1950, and the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, and was approved as
a Department of Defense (DOD) sealift readiness program on January 30, 1997.
The VISA provides for a time-phased
activation of state-of-the-art commercial intermodal equipment to coincide with DOD
requirements while minimizing disruption to U.S. commercial operations. The VISA has
three activation stages, Stages I, II and III.
Commercial operators can volunteer capacity in VISA Stages I and II, but
in Stage III participants must commit at least 50 percent of their capacity.
However, Maritime Security Program enrolled vessel capacity must be
committed at 100 percent. Enrollment in the VISA is conducted during an "open
season" window. Notification of the "open season" is published in the
Federal Register.
Please direct all questions to
Taylor E. Jones II, Director, Office of Sealift Support at (202) 366-3423, fax
at (202) 493-2180 or e-mail to sealift.marad@marad.dot.gov
VISA Document
Download: PDF format
VISA Activation Process
Download: PDF format
