The coalition USA Maritime, to which the SIU is affiliated, has expressed strong opposition to a misguided attempt to turn over the transportation of U.S.-government financed cargoes to foreign-flag, foreign-crewed shipping interests. Such a move would, according to USA maritime, severely weaken the U.S.-flag merchant marine, cost thousands of American maritime workers their jobs, and destroy the ability of the U.S.-flag industry to provide the commercial sealift readiness capability relied upon by the Department of Defense.
Two statements from the coalition are linked below. Here is a key excerpt that refers to two Senate concurrent resolutions:
“The resolutions dramatically overstate the cost of shipping American. All ocean shipping under the Food for Peace program — foreign-flag and U.S.-flag combined — accounts for only 8% of program costs. The premium for using U.S.-flag ships accounts for less than 1% of program costs.”
Read the USA Maritime statements below:
Keep American Rules for U.S.-Flag Shipping Support Our Merchant Marine
Do Not Support S.Con.Res 37 or 38 Waiving Ship American Rule (PDF)
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