Page 24: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2025)

Inland Insights

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LOOKING BEYOND

MARITIME’S “MOMENT”

By Jennifer Carpenter, President & CEO, The American Waterways Operators t’s been said that American maritime is “having a mo- safety and environmental quality. But, the law’s perennial crit- ment” in Washington, DC. From President Trump’s Ex- ics – from the opportunistic to the uninformed – are persistent, ecutive Order on Restoring America’s Maritime Domi- and we can’t afford to be complacent.

Inance, to introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral SHIPS At the federal level, we need to build on that foundation by for America Act in Congress, the U.S. maritime industry has promoting policies and investments that enhance safety, ef? - been a subject of focused attention at the highest levels of gov- ciency and innovation – by working with the Coast Guard to ernment, and rightfully so. At their core, these initiatives are ensure a practical and consistent approach to Subchapter M en- driven by recognition that a strong maritime industry is not forcement; securing timely issuance of Coast Guard regulations only vital to the American economy, but also fundamental to implementing the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act to replace the our national security, particularly as China continues its rapid unworkable patchwork of federal and state regulation that has maritime expansion to further its own geopolitical ambitions. plagued our industry for two decades; advancing legislation that

Add to that the Trump administration’s goal of unleashing ensures engine room watchstanding standards keep pace with the American economy by streamlining regulatory burdens, technological innovations onboard ATBs; protecting naviga- and it all adds up to a real convergence of opportunity for the tional safety through policies that keep commerce moving safe- domestic maritime industry. ly through low and high water on the Mississippi River, fund

In this environment – as the tugboat, towboat and barge modernization of waterways infrastructure, prevent dam breach- industry’s advocate, resource, and united voice for safe, sus- ing on the Columbia-Snake River, and establish safe navigation tainable and ef? cient transportation on America’s waterways, fairways on the Atlantic and Paci? c coasts; and much more.

oceans and coasts – AWO is working hard to ensure that our We must also take our advocacy to the states, where policy- nation’s reinvigorated commitment to a robust American making can be equally consequential to the safe and ef? cient maritime industry endures beyond a single “moment,” and is movement of maritime commerce. In California, an industry not limited to what happens in DC. We need to translate this coalition recently convinced the state to drop a draconian In- renewed focus into tangible action that will strengthen our direct Source Rule that could have shut down our nation’s industry and enable us to continue advancing vital national busiest ports in favor of a cooperative agreement between the interests for generations to come. ports and state regulators, but we must continue to work with

That starts with continuing to fortify and expand longstand- the California Air Resources Board to implement its Commer- ing, bipartisan support for the Jones Act, the statutory founda- cial Harbor Craft rule in ways that protect mariner safety and tion of American maritime. At a time when policymakers are embrace practicable timelines for compliance.

able to agree on precious little else, today’s widespread sup- Whether we are working to ensure sensible emissions frame- port for the Jones Act re? ects commonsense understanding of works in California, educating legislators in Illinois and Missouri its importance to our national security, economic resilience, on the impact of mandatory paid leave requirements on vessel 24 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2025

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