The Maritime Minute Newsletter

News From The Maritime Cabotage Task Force
February 7, 2011

LATEST NEWS: The New Orleans Times Picayune writes the National Oil Spill Commission’s report on the Deepwater Horizon disaster flatly rejected claims that the federal government was forced to turn away foreign offers of assistance because of the Jones Act. “This report confirms what Admiral Thad Allen and so many others have been saying all along: The Jones Act in no way, shape and form hindered the BP clean–up effort,” said James Henry, chairman of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force. “Thousands of American vessels were already at work cleaning up oil in the Gulf and, when necessary, qualified foreign vessels identified as suitable by unified command participated in the effort. We are pleased the president’s commission has concluded the Jones Act did not obstruct efforts to clean up the worst oil spill in U.S. history.” Click here to read more.

GREAT LAKES MARITIME TASK FORCE ANNUAL REPORT ADDRESSES JONES ACT: The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, a founding member of MCTF, recently released its 2010 Annual Report. With regard to false claims that the Jones Act hindered the Gulf oil spill clean–up, the 830member labor/management coalition declared: “Our final thought must address the nonsense about the Jones Act hindering the clean–up of the Gulf oil spill that was bandied about this past summer. The criticism was pure invention. The Jones Acts‘ jurisdiction ends three miles out. The spill was nearly 50 miles from the U.S. shoreline. We are so thankful facts ruled the day, otherwise our country would have begun the process of handing over yet another American industry to foreign owners and workers.”

REP. STEVE SCALISE ATTENDS CHRISTENING OF TOWBOAT NAMED IN HIS HONOR: WorkBoat reports Rep. Steve Scalise (R–LA) was on hand to christen a New Orleans towboat named after him in January. During his remarks, he said the maritime industry plays a vital role in the U.S. economy. “It’s really special that we’re standing here on the foot of the Port of New Orleans looking at a vessel that will be traversing the Mississippi River among others, because this waterway is so important to the economics of our entire country”, said Scalise. ”I‘ve always appreciated the importance of the maritime industry, but, especially what it means to our economy and our community . the fact that you�fve got thousands of people who work in this industry moving commerce throughout our nation”. Click here to read more.

GREAT LAKES FREIGHTERS CARRY MORE CARGO IN 2010: U.S.–flagged Great Lakes freighters, commonly called “lakers”, carried 88.7 million tons of dry–bulk cargo in 2010, an increase of 33.4 percent over 2009. The largest increase came in iron ore cargos for the steel industry. Shipments in U.S. bottoms totaled 42 million tons, an increase of 75 percent compared to 2009. Coal cargos carried in U.S.–flag hulls totaled 21.5 million tons, an increase of 4.1 percent compared to 2009. Shipments of limestone (aggregate and flux stone) totaled 20.4 million tons, an increase of 19.6 percent over 2009. Cement cargos slipped by about 80,000 tons. Salt loadings increased by 130,000 tons. Sand cargos dipped slightly, and grain loadings were a virtual repeat of 2009.

DID YOU KNOW? Vessels are the most environmentally friendly form of transportation. They use less fuel and produce fewer emissions than trains or trucks. According to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report, a cargo of 1,000 tons transported by a Great Lakes freighter produces 90 percent less carbon dioxide as compared to the same cargo transported by truck and 70 percent less if moved by rail.

American Maritime Partnership was founded in 2011 to promote the U.S.–flag fleet engaged in domestic waterborne commerce. Its roots trace back to the 1995 founding of Maritime Cabotage Task Force. With more than 450 members, AMP is the largest coalition ever assembled to represent the domestic segment of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Nationwide, there are more than 40,000 vessels engaged in domestic waterborne commerce and they annually move more than 1 billion tons of cargo and 100 million passengers. The Act has been broadly supported by every Congress and Administration since its passage in 1920 and is considered a key element in the nation’s defense capabilities. For additional information on the American Maritime Partnership, please visit http://www.americanmaritimepartnershhips.com