Great Lakes Maritime Task Force releases annual report
The following article was released by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, a coalition of which American Maritime Officers and American Maritime Officers Service are members.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - On March 10, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) released its annual report for 2020.
The report includes the significant investments GLMTF members made protecting their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure our readiness, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force updated our priorities. Again, number 1 is the health and safety of our workforce, of which economic security is a critical piece. Great Lakes commercial maritime supports 147,000 good paying U.S. jobs, family supporting jobs providing nearly $10.5 billion in annual wages. It generates $25.6 billion in economic activity in the U.S. and supports local, state, and federal programs, with more than $4.6 billion in taxes that are paid because of the business done, purchases made, and paychecks taken home.
Other priorities include support for the Great Lakes Winter Commerce Act of 2021, which was recently reintroduced in the both the House and Senate and codifies the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) icebreaking mission into law, mandating accurate performance measures that illustrate the impacts of an inadequate icebreaking fleet. Funding for another heavy Great Lakes icebreaker at least as capable as the USCGC MACKINAW remains a key component to providing the USCG with adequate capabilities to meet the reasonable demands of commerce during the winter months.
GLMTF supports programs that increase commercial shipbuilding and repair at Great Lakes shipyards. Full funding of State Maritime Academies to support their role in the education of the next generation of licensed mariners. Strict adherence to the Jones Act and all existing maritime cabotage laws crucial to America's national, homeland, and economic security. Ballast water regulations that are protective of the environment, maintain efficient waterborne commerce on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, and are binationally compatible. Ensure that the 60 federally maintained deep-draft ports and connecting waterways in the Great Lakes navigation system are adequately funded for dredging through the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Continued efficient funding for the second Poe-sized lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Finally, support for short sea shipping by enacting a narrow exemption from the Harbor Maintenance Tax for non-bulk cargoes moved on the Great Lakes.
About Great Lakes Maritime Task Force
The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, with 70 members, is the largest coalition to speak for the Great Lakes Navigation System. Advocating for domestic and international shipping, its members represent labor and management from U.S.-flag vessel operators, shipboard and longshore unions, port authorities, cargo shippers, terminal operators, shipyards, and other Great Lakes interests. The Great Lakes commercial maritime industry supports more than 147,000 American jobs in eight Great Lakes states and generates more than $25 billion in economic activity.