In the 1950s, there were more than 1,000 U.S. ships engaged in international trade. Each of these vessels employed and trained a pool of U.S. mariners we could rely on in a time of war to sail our forces to the fight. Today, there are only 78.
President Obama signed omnibus spending legislation approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate that includes much needed and significant new funding levels for the Maritime Security Program.
Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), the parent company of American President Lines, confirmed this month that it is in preliminary and separate negotiations with Denmark’s A.P. Moller-Maersk and France’s CMA CGM for the possible sale of the company.
The maritime community is in mourning after the tragic sinking of the El Faro, a U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off and lift-off vessel owned by TOTE.
The failure by Congress to renew the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States is costing American workers, including American maritime workers, jobs.
President Obama signed into law a bill renewing Trade Promotion Authority, known as "fast-track" which grants the administration the authority to negotiate trade pacts with other nations and present final deals to Congress without the possibility of amendment.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Temasek Holdings, a Singapore owned investment company, has put Neptune Orient Lines, the parent company of APL, up for sale.
Legislation that would gut the collective bargaining rights of maritime labor, both shoreside and seagoing, was introduced on June 4, by Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado).
Matson stated that since the transaction was a "merger" the company would honor Horizon’s existing collective bargaining agreements.
"If asked about the Jones Act – I am an ardent supporter of the Jones Act. [The Act] supports a viable ship building industry, cuts cost and produces 2500 qualified mariners. Why would we tamper with that?" said U.S. Air Force General Paul J. Selva, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command.