The Washington DC-based Lexington Institute has released a report staunchly in defense of the federal legislation keeping the US merchant marine alive.
"The contribution of the Jones Act to US security" argues in favor of Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, which is better known as the Jones Act. Under that 1920 legislation, only U.S. built, owned and crewed vessels may transport cargo or passengers between two U.S. ports, which is a process called "cabotage."
The report states that the U.S. merchant marine fleet could decline rapidly without the Jones Act and military cargo would have to be moved on foreign ships, posing an obvious risk to national security.
David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer of the Seafarers‘ International Union and chair of the ITF seafarers' section, stated that the Jones Act is attacked at least once a year and that maritime groups "remain on constant watch" to thwart all attempts to repeal "this very important piece of legislation." The Jones Act ensures that there is an available pool of experienced and highly qualified mariners to meet the country's needs in times of national defense and emergency, he added.
Source: ITF
Category: Learn About The Jones Act
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