Maritime relief legislation passes through House

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Legislation intended to give relief to the maritime industry passed through the House of Representative Tuesday.

The legislation, the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act, introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and the Elijah E. Cummings Mariner Workforce Development Act, introduced by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), would provide relief to those in the maritime industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. The bills would also increase training opportunities for merchant mariners, authorize a competitive grant program for projects at smaller ports and terminals and establish a National Shipper Advisory Committee to give U.S. importers and exporters a formal process to interact with the Federal Maritime Commission.

“I am thankful to my House colleagues for stepping up today for the maritime industry,” DeFazio, the chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said. “The Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act would for the first time authorize the Maritime Administration to provide financial assistance to stabilize and ensure the reliable functioning of the U.S. Maritime Transportation System in the event of a national emergency or disaster, including, the current COVID-19 public health emergency. The hard-working men and women of the maritime industry have kept critical goods moving during the global pandemic, and for that our thanks are not enough. This bill gives them the same protections and relief given to other industries during COVID-19.”

DeFazio introduced the legislation as part of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.

“The coronavirus pandemic made it clear that the maritime industry needs more resources and more support to respond to catastrophes of any kind,” Maloney, the chair of the House subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, said. “I’m pleased the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, and look forward to this critical piece of legislation providing the United States Maritime Transportation System the reliable, comprehensive support it needs to respond to future emergencies and natural disasters.”