“The carriers, unions, and associations belonging to the USA Maritime Coalition strongly support the SHIPS for America Act. This comprehensive maritime policy initiative will ensure our country has the U.S.-flag shipping capability and the American mariners needed to both support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the Department of Defense and to enhance and protect our nation’s economic security by increasing the carriage of America’s foreign trade on U.S.-flag commercial vessels.”
“Waterman Transport and US Ocean, subsidiaries of SEACOR Holdings, proudly support the SHIPS for America Act. This legislation is a bold initiative which will revitalize the U.S. maritime industry. At Waterman’s founding in 1919, there were approximately 5000 U.S.-flag commercial vessels in international trade. Today, there are only about 90 such vessels. U.S.-flag vessels and the American mariners of steadfast loyalty support the American economic and security objectives around the world. Most importantly, this fleet provides vital sealift for our military. The U.S. needs a growing U.S.-flag commercial fleet and mariner base as we face a more dangerous world, and the SHIPS for America Act is a crucial step.”
“The SHIPS for America Act is vital to unleashing U.S. maritime capacity and ensuring the continued competitiveness of American ocean carriers and merchant mariners in the global marketplace. We are grateful to Senator Kelly for introducing this bill and thank Congressman Waltz for his unrelenting efforts to enhance the U.S. flag fleet’s global competitiveness and raise awareness of America’s maritime industry and workforce. This proposed legislation unquestionably comprises the greatest boost to the United States flag fleet and the American maritime workforce in many decades. If enacted, in whole or in part, it will create new synergies and programs between the commercial and government sectors that improve, enhance and drive U.S. supply chain security and assured access to meet the Nation’s strategic maritime objectives.”
“The SHIPS for America bill is a once in a generation opportunity to meet head-on significant challenges the U.S. faces in the renewal of our Nation’s sealift capacity to not only provide substantial support to global projection forces but also to dramatically increase critical goods and materials transported to and from the United States, which today are shipped on foreign vessels.”
“Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC and its affiliates have owned and operated US flag vessels for over 100 years, proudly serving the US Government and employing US mariners. We are greatly encouraged by the SHIPS for America Act, its renewed focus on strengthening the US flag fleet, ensuring consistent funding for the Maritime Security Program and improving the recruitment, training and retention of US mariners. We look forward to working with Congress to help revitalize and further strengthen the U.S. maritime industry.”
“The proud seagoing men and women of AMO enthusiastically support the SHIPS for America Act, a landmark piece of legislation that takes a bold step toward revitalizing the U.S. maritime industry, strengthening our nation’s workforce, and enhancing global 11 competitiveness. AMO commends Senator Mark Kelly and Congressman Trent Kelly for their tireless efforts in championing this once-in-a-generation maritime policy bill as it addresses the critical role maritime plays in fortifying national security, safeguarding supply chains, and fostering economic resilience. This legislation ensures the sustainability of America’s maritime heritage and secures a brighter future for generations of U.S. seafarers and others in the maritime workforce.”
“The Seafarers International Union wholeheartedly supports the Ships for America Act, an extraordinary piece of legislation that stands to revitalize, strengthen and sustain our nation’s maritime industry. The Ships for America Act addresses critical gaps in shipbuilding, maritime workforce development, and the modernization of our commercial fleet. It is a bold step toward ensuring that the United States maintains a robust and competitive maritime presence, which is essential for both economic and national security. In my 51 years of working in this industry, I have not seen any legislation as comprehensive and impactful as the Ships for America Act. I urge labor and industry to join us in supporting this long-overdue bill, as it not only honors the legacy of our maritime industry but also paves the way for its future growth and sustainability.”
“The Masters, Mates & Pilots strongly supports the SHIPS for America Act. This comprehensive and pragmatic maritime policy initiative will create and support jobs for American mariners, ensuring that our country has the maritime manpower needed to protect and enhance our nation’s economic and military security.”
“A resilient maritime industry is the backbone of a strong nation. We are proud to endorse the SHIPS for America Act, which represents one of the most significant investments in the U.S. merchant marine in decades and aims to address critical shortfalls in our nation’s maritime and shipbuilding sectors that have long been neglected. I commend Senators Mark Kelly and Todd Young for their collaboration in prioritizing U.S. flag shipping and shipbuilding as vital components of our national security policy. This comprehensive legislation will revitalize our merchant marine through strategic investments, while also positioning the United States to compete economically against China and other foreign flag-of-convenience adversaries that have exploited an uneven playing field through the use of cheap labor and regulatory loopholes. Most significantly, America must maintain its independent ability to import and export cargo, if it is to remain free of foreign coercion in international trade.”
“On behalf of our U.S.-flag shipping company members, I want to express our strong support for the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act. This legislation, the most comprehensive and far-reaching maritime policy initiative to be considered by Congress in decades, will revitalize America’s maritime industry, thereby enhancing its role as our nation’s fourth arm of defense. We urge all Members of Congress concerned about the growing influence and domination of China in the international shipping arena to join with the sponsors of this legislation in order to strengthen and protect America’s economic and military security.”
“Transportation Institute is proud to support the SHIPS for America Act. As America enters an era of increased global competition, it is the right time to make significant investments in our U.S.-flagged merchant marine. As we’ve learned throughout history, the U.S.-flag merchant marine can be depended upon by the United States military for assured access to sealift, and trusted by the American people for the secure and reliable movement of goods. This trailblazing legislation will make America an even stronger maritime nation for future generations. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Kelly, Congressman Garamendi, Senator Young, and Congressman Kelly in recognizing the importance of a robust U.S.-flag maritime industry.”
“The American Maritime Congress (AMC) enthusiastically supports the SHIPS for America Act as a cornerstone of our nation’s future national and economic security. For nearly half a century, AMC has advocated and educated the American public and its political leadership on the critical role of the U.S. merchant marine—the SHIPS for America Act is a historic opportunity for our great nation to once again prosper while increasing national security.”
“The U.S.-flag carriers of American Maritime Officers Service (AMOS) strongly support the SHIPS for America Act. This critical legislation will bolster the U.S. Merchant Marine fleet, ensuring the security and safety of maritime operations vital to national defense 10 and economic stability. By expanding the number of U.S.-flagged vessels, the SHIPS for America Act will strengthen our maritime workforce and enhance our nation’s readiness for global challenges. We commend Senator Kelly and Congressman Kelly for their leadership and dedication to a strong American maritime industry.”