Maritime Transportation Research and Education Centers

Heather Nachtmann
MarTREC Director
Bell 4190
Phone: 479-575-6021
martrec@uark.edu

MarTREC Website

Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center is a U.S. Department of Transportation Tier 1 University Transportation Center funded through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.  MarTREC is working to preserve the nation’s transportation system through efficient, resilient, and sustainable maritime and multimodal logistics and infrastructure. The MarTREC consortium consists of renowned maritime transportation researchers dedicated to transferable research and inclusive education and workforce development.

Maritime and multimodal transportation research is a national priority that is critical to future economic competitiveness. Waterborne freight directly and indirectly contributes to U.S. economic growth by contributing to economic value, earnings, and employment. The nation’s waterways are used to transport approximately 20 percent of America’s coal, 22 percent of U.S. petroleum products, and 60 percent of the nation’s farm exports. Better information about economic benefits of waterborne freight can inform private and federal investment in port development and infrastructure improvements, which can increase competitive advantages without negatively affecting social and environmental outcomes.  The center's vision is to be recognized as the nation’s premier source for expertise on maritime and multimodal transportation research and education.