To support a journal
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Maritime Unions Remember D-Day, Oppose Readiness Downgrade
As the world remembered the importance of sealift logistics eighty years after D-Day, the SUP and other maritime unions resisted a new plan to layup prepositioned ships. A coalition of House members urged full funding of the Maritime Security Plan in action ahead of appropriations for FY 2025. The beleaguered containership Dali returned to berth in re-opened port of Baltimore and the restricted crew was helped by labor. The shadow fleet of tankers sailing under new flags-of-convenience was revealed to carry no real insurance and much much more in the June WCS.
Maritime Industry Converges on Capitol Hill
At the annual focused lobbying effort called the "Sail In," maritime industry representatives blitzed Congress for support for the U.S. merchant marine. A bipartisan group of pro-maritime lawmakers put out a far reaching maritime strategic plan and the Union mourned recent losses on the Workers Memorial Day. The UAW won in Tennessee, TRANSCOM recognized American mariners at a meeting of the MTD, AFL-CIO, and the SUP celebrated Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians on this Maritime Day.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Kills Workers
A foreign-flagged ship hit the Key Bridge in Baltimore, and the collapse killed workers and closed the port. At the same time, Congress passed key maritime legislation, a new great powers brinkmanship re-surfaced in Asia. A Watson wage increase, attacks by billionaires on the NLRB, and ancient maritime history were all noted along with SUP sadness at the passing of long-time member Duane Nash.
First Merchant Sailors Killed in Houthi Attacks
Houthi missiles hit unarmed merchant ships off Yemen and the first fatalities were reported. The action drew another swift response from the coalition naval forces, and American and international labor unions expressed outrage. Chinese-built container cranes were found with deep security flaws putting the U.S. maritime system at risk. The Coast Guard issued a new MMC document and the SUP celebrated Women's History Month and the 138th anniversary of its founding.
Members of Congress Call for Action on U.S. Maritime Policy
Spurred by the attacks on merchant shipping, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers demanded new focus on long-neglected U.S. maritime policy. Supply-chain security and U.S.-flag ship operations in contested waters and the reserve vessel capacity and workforce readiness were called out for review and support. In Congress, U.S. seagoing Unions testified that American sailors would deliver the goods come what may, as they have done since 1775.
APL Begins U.S.-Flag Fleet Renewal
APL formally announced a U.S.-flag fleet replacement program begining in February. At the same time forces hostile to shipping launched many attacks, mostly in the Red Sea. Container rates rose in response as ships were diverted and delayed. The importance of tonnage critical to the U.S sealift logistics of tanker operation and fuel - and the SUP's role in it - became increasingly clear. SUP activations accelerated as mariner recruitment and retention was again in the news. Steady as she goes and full ahead for 2024!
Among the Union's objectives is "to support a journal which shall voice the sentiments of the seafaring class, and through its columns seek to maintain the knowledge of and interest in maritime affairs." The first issue of the West Coast Sailors, in June of 1937, noted that "Common sense, fearlessly applied, brings success to a Union."