More than 120 maritime industry leaders, including numerous USA Maritime carrier, union, and association leaders and representatives, participated in the twelfth Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In on April 10th. The Sail-In, which also included representatives from the American Maritime Partnership and the domestic shipping industry, the State Maritime Academies, the USMMA Alumni Foundation, and related maritime associations and organizations, provided the participants with the opportunity to meet with more than 125 Congressional offices to discuss the importance of the U.S. flag merchant marine to our Nation’s economic, military and homeland security. As the only event of its kind that brings together a united maritime industry, the participants, speaking with one voice, emphasized the importance to our Nation of having the U.S.-flag shipping industry and the cadre of American merchant mariners needed to counter China’s control over the ocean shipping supply chain, and to provide the commercial sealift readiness capability needed by the Department of Defense to support American troops deployed overseas.
In addition, the 2024 Maritime Sail-In served as the vehicle for the USA Maritime Coalition to present its Maritime Leadership Award to Congressman Rob Wittman in recognition of his support for the U.S.-flag fleet operating in the U.S. – foreign trades. As noted by USA Maritime Chair Chris Johnsen when presenting the award to Congressman Wittman, “the U.S.-flag deep sea fleet and its cadre of American mariners have no better friend and stronger supporter than Congressman Rob Wittman.”
Also during the 2024 Maritime Sail-In, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force honored Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow with the organization’s first lifetime achievement award, recognizing her longstanding dedication to safeguarding the Great Lakes Navigation System and bolstering American jobs within the U.S.-flag Great Lakes shipping industry. Jim Weakley, Vice President of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force and President of the Lake Carriers’ Association, highlighted, that the “Task Force is grateful for Senator Stabenow’s service to our country, the Great Lakes Region, and the State of Michigan. Senator Stabenow is truly a champion for the Great Lakes watershed and the healthy marine transportation system it supports.”