Business View Magazine - July 2023

186 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7 Act – the federal law requiring that vessels transporting cargo between U.S. locations be American-built, American- owned and American-crewed – will be critical. Preventing foreign carriers from transporting cargo domestically ensures the reliability of the American supply chain, keeps foreign companies with lower safety and environmental standards from operating in the domestic trade, and allows the Coast Guard to undertake its already-complex homeland security mission without also having to monitor foreign vessels and crews on internal U.S. waters. Second, the United States should pursue public policies that recognize the environmental benefits of maritime commerce, support the movement of more cargo by water, and enhance the efficiency of the marine transportation system. These include policies that stimulate demand for marine transportation to improve sustainability across the U.S. transportation sector; continued investment in waterways infrastructure to enhance the marine transportation system’s efficiency, capacity and resiliency; and avoidance of policies that create regulatory patchworks, impose infeasible requirements, or otherwise inhibit the efficiency of marine transport. The people of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry are the quiet heroes of American commerce. They deserve our thanks, and our public policy support, for all they do to keep our nation prosperous, safe and secure. Jennifer Carpenter is President & CEO of The American Waterways Operators – the tugboat, towboat and barge industry’s advocate, resource and united voice for safe, sustainable and efficient transportation on America’s waterways, oceans and coasts.