A systems engineering approach is applied to redefine the maritime transportation system through a holistic perspective. The view presented in this paper allows the identification of constituents of the maritime transportation network along with external factors and constraints that affect the network's operation. The maritime network is considered at a system-of-systems level of abstraction, and a maritime transportation system of systems is defined. On the basis of characteristics of the system of systems and network management theory, a model for governing the maritime transportation system of systems is presented that addresses four key questions of effective governance: (a) What can be influenced? (b) Why is the influence needed? (c) How should the influence be exerted? (d) When is the purpose of influencing served? The model presented serves as a systems foundation for a new paradigm of maritime transportation governance.