A collective response from every prominent American maritime union has been issued in opposition to a proposal by a think tank, to create a foreign-crewed registry, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
'The us maritime industry (like many other industries) is confronting serious workforce development challenges - mariner shortages - even with existing growth in domestic trade,' said the authors.
'The second-registry fleet would not be a substitute for the primary US flag fleet, which loyal American citizens would crew and which is essential to meeting core military sealift functions.'
In the long term, the proposal sees a policy-driven expansion of the first US-crewed, US-flag fleet, attracting more Americans to the mariner workforce.
The foreign-crewed second registry 'would strengthen American security interests in the domains beyond core sealift functions' and at 'a minimal cost to taxpayers'.
This proposal envisions the establishment of a parallel US registry for vessels crewed by foreigners, an initiative aimed at expanding the United States deep-sea merchant fleet.
The plan's overarching goal is to elevate the US flag fleet, which consists of 85 ships, to a total of 250 ships by 2030.
In addition to this expansion, it suggests creating a 'limited, top-tier second American ship registry' of another 250 ships.
Notably, this secondary registry would maintain most regulatory standards, but with one key exception: foreign crew members would be allowed.
Several limitations are associated with this second fleet concept. It would not serve as a sealift resource, nor could it transport US government cargo.
Only companies already involved in the primary US flag fleet would have the option to participate in this secondary fleet.
Furthermore, the secondary fleet's size would be capped at 250 ships, three times the current size of the US flag fleet.
The Hudson Institute's proposal was formulated by the American Maritime Security initiative director at Hudson, who had previously held a senior position at a prominent US-flag shipowning company before joining Hudson last year.
It's worth noting that the maritime department at Hudson has received support from four leading American shipping firms.
In a joint statement released last week, all major American maritime unions denounced the Hudson Institute's plan for a second fleet, characterising it as nothing more than a 'flag of convenience' scheme designed to facilitate the 'outsourcing of American maritime jobs.'
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'The us maritime industry (like many other industries) is confronting serious workforce development challenges - mariner shortages - even with existing growth in domestic trade,' said the authors.
'The second-registry fleet would not be a substitute for the primary US flag fleet, which loyal American citizens would crew and which is essential to meeting core military sealift functions.'
In the long term, the proposal sees a policy-driven expansion of the first US-crewed, US-flag fleet, attracting more Americans to the mariner workforce.
The foreign-crewed second registry 'would strengthen American security interests in the domains beyond core sealift functions' and at 'a minimal cost to taxpayers'.
This proposal envisions the establishment of a parallel US registry for vessels crewed by foreigners, an initiative aimed at expanding the United States deep-sea merchant fleet.
The plan's overarching goal is to elevate the US flag fleet, which consists of 85 ships, to a total of 250 ships by 2030.
In addition to this expansion, it suggests creating a 'limited, top-tier second American ship registry' of another 250 ships.
Notably, this secondary registry would maintain most regulatory standards, but with one key exception: foreign crew members would be allowed.
Several limitations are associated with this second fleet concept. It would not serve as a sealift resource, nor could it transport US government cargo.
Only companies already involved in the primary US flag fleet would have the option to participate in this secondary fleet.
Furthermore, the secondary fleet's size would be capped at 250 ships, three times the current size of the US flag fleet.
The Hudson Institute's proposal was formulated by the American Maritime Security initiative director at Hudson, who had previously held a senior position at a prominent US-flag shipowning company before joining Hudson last year.
It's worth noting that the maritime department at Hudson has received support from four leading American shipping firms.
In a joint statement released last week, all major American maritime unions denounced the Hudson Institute's plan for a second fleet, characterising it as nothing more than a 'flag of convenience' scheme designed to facilitate the 'outsourcing of American maritime jobs.'
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