- Domestic maritime companies have the equipment at their terminals to handle the throughput at the terminals without overwhelming the shoreside and inland
- Domestic maritime roll-on/roll-off barges can immediately discharge cargoes while work is performed to restore power for cranes and other equipment at the
- Domestic maritime containerships can deliver cargoes from the S. mainland to Puerto Rico in three days.
U.S. maritime industry on the importance of the Jones Act to Puerto Rico recovery
posted by AJOT | Nov 20 2017 at 06:44 AM | Maritime | Liner Shipping
WASHINGTON – The American Maritime Partnership – the voice of the domestic maritime industry – today issued the following statement to set the record straight on the importance of American maritime for Puerto Rico recovery and the capacity and capability of Jones Act vessels to meet Puerto Rico’s present and future needs.
"While the American Maritime industry was delivering cargo to the docks of Puerto Rico with relief supplies within hours of the hurricane passing, familiar opponents worked to fan debunked myths about our industry and the Jones Act. The fact remains the Jones Act does not add costs to Puerto Rico; it provides stability, jobs and reliable transportation of relief and recovery items to our families and neighbors in Puerto Rico. We support those who march for the well being of Puerto Rico, as we have been working for the same cause since the storm, but we need to march for what will help not hurt the island. First understand the facts before the march." - The American Maritime Partnership
The following statements address the false claims reported by media and those in opposition to the Jones Act.
Fact Check on False Reported Claims in Media:
Claim: The Jones Act prevents cargo from foreign vessels to reach Puerto Rico.
False. Any foreign vessel can call on Puerto Rico. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted in a 2011 report that two-thirds of the ships serving Puerto Rico were foreign ships. 55 different foreign carriers provided imported cargo to Puerto Rico in a single month, as cited as an example by GAO. Foreign shipping companies compete directly with the American shipping companies in an intensely competitive transportation market.
Claim: Import costs are at least twice as high in Puerto Rico as in neighboring islands on account of the Jones Act.
There is no study that supports this statement in any way. In fact, anecdotal evidence about rates indicates that the opposite is true. For example, one analysis shows it is 40% more expensive to ship goods from the U.S. mainland on foreign vessels to the U.S. Virgin Islands (not subject to the Jones Act) than on Jones Act vessels to Puerto Rico. Moreover, the cost of shipping accounts for a tiny fraction of retail prices on the island. Waiving the Jones Act would have no affect on retail prices in Puerto Rico.
Claim: Jones Act vessels lack sufficient capacity to reach communities impacted by Hurricane Maria.
In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, one hundred percent of the island was without power, and roads were blocked by downed trees and debris. Goods are arriving to the island on vessels but bottlenecks on the roads are limiting arrival to the communities. The largest bottleneck is not getting goods to the island, but delivering goods once they arrive.