65th Anniversary: The Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Industry
This year, The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, celebrates its 60th anniversary. AWO members, representing the inland, coastal and harbor sectors of the industry, recently marked this milestone at its Spring Convention, recalling the reasons for the association's founding and recognizing the remarkable evolution of the industry over the past six decades. AWO was formed in 1944 in the midst of emerging regulations, priorities and demands for transportation during World War II. Today, AWO members account for 80 percent of the towing industry's active fleet.
Jones Act Reform Coalition Head Resigns
Rob Quartel announced his resignation as president of the Jones Act Reform Coalition, the lobbying group that seeks modifications in maritime laws that require domestic waterborne cargo to be transported in U.S.-owned, -built and -crewed ships. He said he was leaving to pursue other unspecified opportunities. No new head of the Jones Act Reform Coalition has been announced, but it is expected that the group will continue to work to reform the Jones Act during this session of Congress.
Administration Proposes Jones Act Reform
The Clinton Administration, long an opponent of Jones Act reform, has proposed a one-year waiver to allow the use of foreign-built ships to transport U.S. food aid abroad, most notably to Russia. The plan would add up to seven dry-bulk and breakbulk ships suited to carry food aid, according to U.S. Marad estimated. "This waiver," said Rob Quartel, president of the Jones Act Reform Coalition (JARC), "would bring Jones Act reform to foreign consumers, while American businesses and consumers continue to bear the burden that may approach $17 billion annually. The waiver proposal, attached to this year's Marad authorization bill, would allow foreign-built bulk ships immediate eligibility to carry U.S. food aid, as long as the ships are registered under the U.S. flag and employ U.S. crews.
Shippers Form Working Group On Jones Act Conflict
The Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) and the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League have reached agreement on the establishment of a joint working group which will address Jones Act service issues between U.S.-flag carriers and American shippers. The offer of creating such a group was made by the MCTF in a meeting hosted by the NIT League last week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At its core, the MCTF offer was an effort to engage the shipper community in a dialogue which goes beyond merely debating the merits of the Jones Act. The objective is to explore common areas of interest between shippers and carriers and to develop operational solutions to logistics problems.
Carriers, Shippers Create Working Group on Jones Act Conflict
The Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) and the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League have reached agreement on the establishment of a joint working group which will address Jones Act service issues between U.S.-flag carriers and American shippers. The offer of creating such a group was made by the MCTF in a meeting hosted by the NIT League in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At its core, the MCTF offer was an effort to engage the shipper community in a dialogue which goes beyond merely debating the merits of the Jones Act. The objective is to explore common areas of interest between shippers and carriers and to develop operational solutions to logistics problems.
