On February 9, 2021, The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, had its second hearing of the 117th Congress. This hearing featuring experts witnesses that make up the four major components of the maritime system. These components include, U.S. Domestic ships (covered under Jones Act), U.S. International fleets, the port authorities and ship builders.
The Members of the Subcommittee spoke about the importance of competing with China in all aspects of the maritime system and the supply chain in general. Both sides of the aisle were concerned with personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing among those deemed essential and onsite.
Full Committee Chairman DeFazio (D-OR) was especially concerned with the notion that in 2020 China built 1,200+ ships and the United States built eight. Chairman DeFazio and Democrats spoke about the importance of the Jones Act and the Mariners that support U.S. efforts in the economy and national security spaces.
Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Gibbs (R-OH) spoke about American exports, and backhauling of containers to China, and how that effects agricultural exports in the United States.
Across both sides of the aisle Members spoke about the importance of upgrading and improving the connectivity of ports and those who utilize these authorities, including 3PLs. These are all changes that will have to be made in a long-term transportation bill as the current authorization expires in September.
You can view the hearing in its entirety, here
You can view the testimonies from today’s hearing, here:
Lauren K. Brand
PRESIDENT
National Association of Waterfront Employers
Ben Bordelon
CHAIRMAN
Shipbuilders Council of America
Mario Cordero
CHAIRMAN
Board of Directors,
American Association of Port Authorities
C. James Patti
PRESIDENT
Maritime Institute for Research And Industrial Development
Michael G. Roberts
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Crowley Maritime
Del Wilkins
PRESIDENT
Illinois Marine Towing