Great Lakes Maritime Task Force releases annual report

December 7th – CLEVELAND – The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force released its annual report for 2021 on Monday.

The report covers the accomplishments of the GLMTF, including advances in the Great Lakes dredging crisis, efficient funding of the new large navigational lock in Marie, Michigan, and pending laws to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking performance, as well as funding for a new heavy Great Lakes icebreaker .

Other priorities for the task force include providing adequate federal funding for the state maritime academies, including the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan, intelligent ballast water regulations that are uniform across the Great Lakes binational navigational system, continued strict Jones compliance Act, which is a cornerstone of U.S. national security, increasing the use of waterways for short-haul shipping, and helping Great Lakes shipyards with state tax policies that encourage modernization with investment tax credits.

The report also highlights the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as the ports of Great Lakes continue to grow across the board as cargo volumes rise.

“Activity has increased in virtually every port in Great Lakes,” said Jim Weakley, the newly elected president of the GLMTF. “Maintaining this momentum is vital as the economy continues to recover from the COVID pandemic.”

The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, with 74 members, is the largest coalition in favor of the Great Lakes Navigation System. Its members are committed to national and international shipping and represent workers and executives of US flag ship operators, ship and coastal unions, port authorities, cargo shippers, terminal operators, shipyards and other Great Lakes interests.

The Great Lakes commercial maritime industry supports more than 147,000 American jobs in eight Great Lakes states and generates more than $ 25 billion in economic activity.

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