The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force was founded in November of 1992 to promote a strong U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes. Its labor/management membership comprise representatives from the domestic and international trades and encompasses carriers, maritime unions, longshoremen, shipyards, dredging companies, terminal operators...
Key to attaining the Task Force's goals are the Cabotage laws of the United States. Best know of these long-standing laws are the Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886. In essence, these laws (and others) require that all cargo and passengers moving between U.S. ports be carried in vessels that are owned by U.S. corporations, built and maintained in American shipyards and crewed by U.S. citizens.
The benefits of a U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes are many. The U.S.-Flag fleet of self-unloading vessels is the world's most efficient. The crews' training meets the world's highest standards. The ships are built to standards that reflect America's commitment to crew safety and protection of the environment.
And it can safely be said that virtually every region of the country benefits from Great Lakes shipping. More than 70 percent of the nation's steelmaking capacity is located in the Great Lakes basin. Coal from as far away as Montana and Wyoming moves across the Lakes. Grain harvested in the Dakotas begins its journey overseas at Great Lakes ports. All in all, U.S.-Flag "lakers" will haul more than 125 million tons of cargo in a typical navigation season (water levels permitting). When Canadian- and third-flag vessels are included, total Lakes commerce will approach 200 million tons in an average year. These cargos mean jobs for American mariners, longshoremen, shipyard workers... The Great Lakes Maritime Task Force is dedicated to increasing all kinds of trade on the Great Lakes so that even more jobs will be created.
Last updated on June 28, 2004.