Grill Retires, Maritime Cabotage Task Force
The Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) is thanking its retiring Chairman, Philip M. Grill, for his 14 years of leadership of the labor/management coalition that promotes the Jones Act and other U.S. maritime cabotage laws in Washington. Grill, who is retiring as Vice President – Government Relations for Matson Navigation Company, Inc., on July 31, has chaired MCTF since its founding in September 1995. Under his leadership, three Administrations and eight Congresses have consistently supported the Jones Act and a strong U.S.-flag merchant marine. “The Jones Act and other U.S.
MarAd Authorization Clears Committee
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and transportation approved by voice vote, a bill to authorize appropriations for the Maritime Administration for FY 00. A subsititute to S.937, the Maritime Administration Authorization Act for FY 00, was offered by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), chair of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee. Sen. Hutchison introduced the original bill, which authorized appropriations for FY 00 and FY 01. Codify existing regulations regarding Title XI, by permitting the secretary of transportation to accept the hold in escrow a portion of the proceeds of guaranteed funds during the construction period of a vessel.
MarAd Enhancement Act Moves Along
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously reported The Maritime Administration Enhancement Act of 2005. The bill establishes a grant program to assist small shipyards for capital improvements and improve maritime training programs for small communities largely served by the maritime industry. The bill also allows the Maritime Administration (MarAd) to use a portion of funds for the operation of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) and proceeds recovered from vessel accident litigation and arbitration to be placed in a reserve fund to cover the costs of vessel maintenance, repairs, and replacements.
Senate Committee OKs Ballast Water Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today voted unanimously to approve the “Ballast Water Management Act of 2005” (S. 363), introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and co-sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland), and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii). The legislation would amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish a new, national approach to addressing invasive species in ballast water. Under the Manager’s Amendment approved today, the Coast Guard is authorized to direct $20 million annually, in fiscal years 2006 through 2010, toward invasive species mitigation.
