Statute requires additional mariner identification and background checks
Sweeping legislation aimed at improving security at U.S. seaports and preventing terrorist acts was approved by Congress on November 14 and is expected to be signed by President Bush.
On October 16, U.S. District Judge William Alsup invoked the provisions of the anti-Union Taft-Hartley Act and issued an injunction that prohibits strikes or lockouts during an 80-day ?cooling off? while representatives of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) attempt to reach agreement for a new contract. Alsup?s decision followed a temporary restraining order issued on October 8, which compelled waterfront employers to open up 29 affected West Coast ports and allow longshoremen to return to work.
The Maritime Administration (MarAd) launched an investigation that led to recommendations designed to stop the transportation of American military cargoes aboard foreign-flag vessels.
In the wake of the award of eight Large Medium-Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) vessels to Maersk Lines, Ltd. by the Military Sealift Command early this month, Patriot Contract Services, a division of American Ship Management, filed a protest with the General Accounting Office requesting that the award be suspended pending a thorough review and investigation.
The House Armed Services Committee?s Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine on July 16, held its first in a series of hearings aimed at reauthorizing the Maritime Security Program (MSP) prior to its expiration on September 30, 2005.
On May 29, Matson Navigation Company signed a contract with Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard for two new containerships. The first vessel under construction is scheduled for delivery in June 2003. The second in April 2004.
In response to the national concern for maritime security and legislation that is pending in Congress, the SUP last month, upon request, submitted written testimony to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The death of a ship's captain on the high seas has brought questions of international law and maritime labor abuse to a U.S. court.
In testimony this month before the House Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine, Maritime Administrator William Schubert reaffirmed the Bush Administration?s support of the Maritime Security Program.
In the wake of the IMO's decision not to fully enforce the International Convention for STCW 95 until July 31, 2002, and the U.S. Coast Guard?s determination that the vast majority of American merchant mariners must have been in compliance with the Convention by February 1, the Coast Guard called a meeting of seagoing maritime labor.