The Industry Overview section of this report provides context for the Agencys work. MARADs activities are closely involved with the waterborne -transportation industry in all its aspects. This section outlines the magnitude of commercial trade, both foreign and domestic, the growth of the cruise industry and the overall financial and employment picture for the industry.The Expanded Opportunities section outlines the agencys activities with reference to our Nations economic recovery funded through the Recovery Act. The Small Shipyard Grants Program issued $98 million in grants6, and the Agency also has oversight responsibility for another $21.4 million in port infrastructure improvements funded from the Recovery Acts highway funding.7 The Security, Preparedness, and Response section outlines the Agencys high-profile role in combating piracy off the Horn of Africa, marine domain awareness, the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), the Maritime Security Program (MSP), and other sealift programs. The United States Merchant Marine Academy and the State Maritime Academies produced 715 graduates in fiscal year 2009. The Environmental Stewardship section highlights two issues that are most prominent within the global maritime industry. The first issue is how to reduce the risk of environmental damage caused by invasive species that may be transported in a ship's ballast water. The second issue is how to dispose of obsolete ships in an environmentally sound manner when they are no longer worthy of retention. The Reduced Congestion section describes the Agencys contributions to alleviating congestion in the overall transportation system. In this regard, the agencys Deepwater Ports Program works to provide a safe and efficient means for delivering liquefied natural gas and oil into the United States. The Marine Highways Program works to better use our Nations waterways to alleviate congestion on U.S. roadways. This section also provides a report on the Maritime Guaranteed Loan Program, which is mandated by Congress.