Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (August 2024)

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Column

U.S. Maritime

America Must Renew its

Commitment to Maritime

By Jennifer Carpenter, President & CEO, American Waterways Operators; President, American Maritime Partnership the anniversary of this bedrock law and the founding of

The United States must renew its commitment to a strong, reliable American maritime America’s Merchant Marine. These institutions enable our capability to confront emerging threats. China’s aggres- nation’s industrial base and naval power to safeguard global sive shipping expansion poses signi? cant challenges to the supply chains, preserve military readiness and protect our

United States and our allies. Global tensions have high- homeland security.

lighted the vulnerability of maritime supply chains, and The Chinese Communist Party has long understood the our domestic waterways remain a potential pathway for importance of its maritime industry, funneling hundreds increasingly belligerent adversaries to cause harm. of billions of dollars in subsidies into its shipyards and

The Merchant Marine Act — commonly known as the shipping companies. China’s ambition to extend its in? u-

Jones Act — is vital to defending American interests and ence and control over the global supply chain has had an sovereignty amid these complex challenges. June marked immediate and pronounced effect. For example, the lead- © Llstock / Adobe Stock 22 | MN August 2024