The Marine Environmental Task Force was formed in 2003. Its initial membership consisted of a mix of representatives from the academic, non-profit and maritime business communities. This diversity in membership has been a key characteristic ever since. The founding members of the Task Force had served on other TRB Committees and this experience proved valuable for its successful launch. Once established, the Task Force quickly organized itself with the filling of all leadership positions.

In 2005, the Task Force conducted a survey in order to identify the leading marine environment issues. At that time, the top three consisted of (i) quantifying the costs of marine pollution, (ii) discharges of pollutants from vessels, and (iii) invasive species. In 2006, after completing its initial three-year cycle, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) approved the Task Force's application to become a Standing Committee within the TRB Marine Group, and since then it has been operating as the TRB Standing Committee on Marine Environment (AW030).