In the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, some legislators and others of influence in the media were quick to claim the Jones Act was preventing foreign-flag vessels from helping with the oil cleanup efforts. That charge was completely and utterly false, but some opportunistic politicians and special interest groups wanted to use this event and misguided public perception to push their agenda to repeal, or modify, the act. We expect some of these sentiments to remain in 2011, making it critically important that the U.S. maritime industry remain vigilant and steadfast in protecting this important legislation.
Here’s why: The Jones Act is vitally important to U.S. military and economic security. The act, passed in 1920, ensures the U.S. has world-class vessels to meet military sealift needs; has professional, experienced seafarers to man the U.S. government sealift ships in times of national emergency; and has a modern shipyard industrial base to meet the shipbuilding needs of the nation’s military.
Domestic waterborne commerce supports 343,000 U.S. jobs, generates $63 billion in annual economic impact and $11.6 billion a year in taxes. U.S.-flag carriers are investing billions of dollars in new vessels, hiring and training U.S. merchant mariners and working with the Defense Department, all in support of the U.S. economy, industry and national defense.
U.S. maritime cabotage laws also enhance safety and environmental protection, because U.S.-flag vessels are built and operated to the world’s highest safety and environmental standards. And, because companies engaged in domestic waterborne commerce receive no subsidies, the Jones Act ensures a competitive and level playing field, both among vessel operators and other modes of transportation.
Now is the time to build up our U.S. maritime industry, not tear it down.