Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

good business sense, and to support them to buy ships in the United States. While the

National Shipbuilding Initiative was a worthwhile endeavor, we still haven't had a real

chance to build for our own citizens and that, in part, is why the shipbuilding industry is

struggling as it is.

I am suggesting that you include in the MSP reauthorization a continuation and

strengthening of the preference for U.S.-built vessels found in Section 652(0)(4) of the

current law. Section 652(p) of the current law also contains a notice provision to U.S.

shipbuilders before MSP operators can contract for new vessels in a foreign shipyard. I

would urge you to retain this provision but modify it to require MSP operators to notify

U.S. shipbuilders sufficiently far in advance of contracting with a foreign shipyard to give

us an opportunity to put together a deal, but I would also ask you to consider

strengthening the notice provision by including recently built vessels (e.g. less than two

years old or under construction). At the very least, I believe MSP operators should be

required to provide U.S. shipbuilders with a genuine opportunity to see if a deal can be

made to work before they get a “green light” to purchase new vessels outside the

country. In order to enforce this provision, I would suggest that MSP operators be

required to certify to Marad which U.S. shipbuilders they have contacted, the dates of

those contacts and the results of those contacts before Marad permits them to bring a

foreign-built vessel into the MSP program.

I would also suggest that you consider coupling the U.S.-built preference with a larger

MSP payment for a U.S.-built vessel to take into account the difference in capital costs

between U.S. and foreign-built vessels. While the amount would have to be worked out among your colleagues, and would be dependent on budgetary constraints, I would

anticipate a differential of approximately $4-5 million per year, per U.S.-built vessel over

the life of an MSP contract would create a financial inducement to purchase a vessel in

the U.S.

It seems to me that if we combined the statutory preference for U.S.-built vessels,

higher MSP payments for the U.S.-built vessel, Capital Construction Fund (CCF) tax

benefits and Title XI guarantees this would significantly reduce the net cost of the vessel

for the operator and would provide good jobs for American citizens and help to revitalize

an important National Security industry.

| also believe that the CCF program should be opened to domestic operators who must

build vessels in U.S. shipyards. The prohibition appears to me to be an historical

anomaly that is restricting recapitalization of the domestic fleet, and possibly stifling the

creation of a coastwise container service. Venture capital is scarce in the maritime

world, and ships are expensive. Why not utilize a proven mechanism to allow the

domestic operators to build up the funds necessary to re-build their fleets?

The Jones Act is indispensable to our survival as shipbuilders, as evidenced by the

customers that all of us see as our “core” business. I know, Mr. Chairman, you are a

strong supporter of the Jones Act, I thank you for that and I know you will prevent any

weakening of its U.S.-build provisions from occurring.

Finally, the continual battle over funding for Title XI, which is the only federal program that supports all owners to build vessels in the U.S., must end. We need a Title XI

program that operators know will be in existence over the next ten years, which is

funded adequately, and on which they can depend as a stable source of financing.

Mr. Chairman, we are truly one industry, and I would urge you to approach this matter in

a way that insures all parts of this industry; operators, builders and labor alike are

supported. That is the way our country has operated for many years, the Merchant

Marine Act of 1936 is explicit in citing shipyards along with labor and operators as co

equal parts of the maritime industry and I see no reason why that should change today.

Thank you for your time and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

JULY 23, 2002

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »