Roads around the New York metro area, and up and down many parts of the East Coast, are increasingly congested. The congestion increases air pollution, leads to poor roads, and slows the flow of people and goods throughout the region.

Nearly everything a person touches, uses and eats is transported by a ship. Shipping, and the ports, terminals and railways that support global commerce, form an industry whose economic impact is measured in the trillions of dollars.

For the third year in a row, SUNY Maritime College is the top four-year public institution in the nation for graduates’ salary potential, according to PayScale.