As
a former seaman of the merchant navy, I continue to address issues
related to the shipping industry in general, with a particular interest
in matters relating to the survival of the merchant marine of the United
States. I
was surprised to find out recently that Senator John McCain, a man I
admire, has introduced legislation in the United States Senate to repeal
the Jones restrictions on foreign-flagged ships carrying goods between United States. Its
bill, entitled the Open America's Waters Act of 2017, would allow
foreign flag vessels to compete in US waters for goods moving between US
ports. I can not help but wonder why the honorable senator believes that such a derogation is a good policy, maritime or otherwise.
Senator McCain is certainly not concerned about the inequalities between American ships and their foreign competitors. You should certainly know that the overwhelming majority of maritime trade between the United States and our foreign trading partners enters or leaves our coasts on foreign flag vessels. These vessels employ cheaper crews and their owners benefit from favorable tax treatment in their country of registration; As a result, these vessels operate at cost levels that US operators simply can not match. Recognizing this reality, Congress has historically reserved maritime trade in the United States. UU. To American ships as a means of ensuring the survival of any appearance of an American merchant navy. Call it protectionism or whatever, the Jones Act serves to ensure the existence of a US commercial fleet of ships.
My own education and experience in maritime affairs convinces me that this is a good policy. A viable US merchant marine is an essential part of our national security, which is generally ignored until it is necessary to find vessels to transport the goods to supply troops that have been sent abroad to protect American interests.
Without the restrictions imposed by the Jones Act on foreign-flag vessels carrying domestic cargo, our merchant fleet, which is already insignificant, may be reduced to virtually nonexistent levels. Fortunately, Senator McCain's bill seems to have gained almost no interest in the Capitol; No other senator has chosen to co-sponsor its legislation. However, I wonder why a former naval officer like Senator McCain would attack the very ships we would need to protect interests far from our shores.
Senator McCain is certainly not concerned about the inequalities between American ships and their foreign competitors. You should certainly know that the overwhelming majority of maritime trade between the United States and our foreign trading partners enters or leaves our coasts on foreign flag vessels. These vessels employ cheaper crews and their owners benefit from favorable tax treatment in their country of registration; As a result, these vessels operate at cost levels that US operators simply can not match. Recognizing this reality, Congress has historically reserved maritime trade in the United States. UU. To American ships as a means of ensuring the survival of any appearance of an American merchant navy. Call it protectionism or whatever, the Jones Act serves to ensure the existence of a US commercial fleet of ships.
My own education and experience in maritime affairs convinces me that this is a good policy. A viable US merchant marine is an essential part of our national security, which is generally ignored until it is necessary to find vessels to transport the goods to supply troops that have been sent abroad to protect American interests.
Without the restrictions imposed by the Jones Act on foreign-flag vessels carrying domestic cargo, our merchant fleet, which is already insignificant, may be reduced to virtually nonexistent levels. Fortunately, Senator McCain's bill seems to have gained almost no interest in the Capitol; No other senator has chosen to co-sponsor its legislation. However, I wonder why a former naval officer like Senator McCain would attack the very ships we would need to protect interests far from our shores.
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