MARAD Staffing Shortages Threaten Shipping Oversight and Security

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is facing staffing shortages that could impact its ability to oversee shipping, port, and vessel operations, as well as national security efforts, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). With only about 800 employees, MARAD needs to address workforce vacancies and skill gaps in the coming years. The report highlighted a 12.3 percent vacancy rate and a trend of more employees leaving than being hired over the past decade, making it challenging for the agency to fulfill its mission.

The report also noted that a significant number of MARAD staff are eligible for retirement, with the percentage expected to increase from 24 percent in 2024 to 43 percent by 2029. To address these challenges, the GAO recommended that MARAD use hiring flexibilities to attract qualified candidates, engage employees, and develop a recruitment and outreach plan. While MARAD has hired a contractor to develop a strategic workforce plan, the report found that key workforce planning principles have not been fully implemented.

In response to the report, the GAO made four recommendations for MARAD to improve its workforce planning efforts. These include ensuring that managers, employees, and stakeholders are involved in developing the strategic workforce plan, assessing critical skills needed for future goals, building capability to support workforce strategies, and establishing a process to monitor and evaluate progress towards workforce goals. By implementing these recommendations, MARAD can better address its current staffing challenges and prepare for future workforce needs.

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