February 2023 Newsletter from American Maritime Voices
 
 

American Maritime Voices | Vol 19 - February 2023

 
 
Welcome Aboard
 
Invite Others to Come Aboard!
 
And welcome to the nearly 100 new VOICES that have signed up in 2023 to receive The VOICE.
 
Share The VOICE with your friends so they can keep up with the issues that matter most to the men and women of American Maritime.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
American Waterways Operators'
Jennifer Carpenter
Rebuts Jones Act Criticisms
 
While the Jones Act plays an important role in America's national security and is widely supported by the military, congressional leaders and policy analysts, not everyone agrees. On the first episode of the American Maritime Podcast for 2023, Jennifer Carpenter, President & CEO of the American Waterways Operators, rebuts criticisms of the law and highlights the benefits of reliable, American transportation on our waterways. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or watch the video on YouTube
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What's Bubbling
 
Fmr. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien: Chinese Spy Balloon is a Wake-Up Call
 
 
 
 
As China grows into an increasingly serious threat, former National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien writes in The Hill on the important role Congressional leadership has in preparing us for China's aggression.
 
In his piece, O'Brien distinctly calls the Jones Act a critical framework "for sustaining our shipbuilding posture."  
 
 
 
 

OSG CEO Sam Norton on the New England Fuel Crisis That Wasn't

 
 
On the American Maritime Podcast, President & CEO of the Overseas Shipholding Group Sam Norton, a leading expert on oil and gas markets, talks with host Jennifer Carpenter about the unjustified calls by politicians for blanket Jones Act waivers to deliver fuel to New England.
 
Norton discusses the fundamentals of the global energy market, how the U.S. fits into the global energy sector, why calls for waivers are not a long term solution for New England's perennial shortage concerns, and how American Maritime delivers critical fuels across the country.
 
 
 
 
 
Why China Wishes We Got Rid of the Jones Act
 
 
 
 
George Landrith of the Frontiers of Freedom institute writes on China's maritime strategy in The Defense Post and how a strong American Maritime keeps the U.S. safe.
 
While some seek to weaken or discard the Jones Act and throw away the careers of the men and women of American Maritime, many of these advocates seem to not understand that it would play into China's hands. 
 
Landrith: "Who in their right mind would want to allow Chinese built, crewed, and flagged ships to sail up and down the more than 20,000 miles of inland waterways?"
 
 
 
 
 
News To Know
Shipbuilders to Congress:
'We Have the Capacity, We Need Stability'
 
Matthew Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America, testified at the House Armed Services Committee on the state of the U.S. shipyard industrial base. In his testimony, Paxton, joined by other defense industry experts, emphasized how improved purchasing policies by Congress and the U.S. armed forces can allow American shipbuilding to meet the demand for a larger fleet. One challenge for America's shipyards is the need to retain and grow a skilled workforce. Paxton told lawmakers that because of inconsistent "demand signals" from the government, shipyards have not been able to invest as much as they would like into developing more and more men and women to join the industry. Read more.
 
 
 
 
American Maritime Delivers
for Ukraine
 
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, American Maritime has delivered security in support of Ukraine. Bremerton, Washington-based SAFE Boats is building and outfitting 8 Mark VI patrol vessels to support Ukraine — their first non-U.S. Navy application. A new video by King 5 News Seattle shows one of the vessels and talks with shipyard workers on this important work. 
 
 

 

How Cool is That?

 
 
 
Families in Norfolk, Virginia gathered to participate in the "Brick by Brick Shipbuilding Contest" and build life-like replicas of ships using nothing but LEGO pieces. The event allowed people across different skill levels to build both historical and currently operational U.S. Navy vessels. Opportunities like this help introduce children to not only America's Navy, but also the opportunities of American Maritime.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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