Great Lakes Maritime Task Force

TOLEDO, OH – Increases in cargo movement on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway in 2017 were but two of several positive developments last year. The 2017 Annual Report of Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) released today highlights progress on maintaining the Jones Act as the foundation of America’s domestic maritime policy; building a second Poe-sized lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; construction of another heavy icebreaker for … Continue reading →

Toledo, OH – Companies and organizations dependent on Great Lakes shipping are urging the Senate to quickly approve the Coast Guard Authorization Bill (S.1129) when it comes before them next week. The bill would set funding for all U.S. Coast Guard operations this year and next. Key Great Lakes missions that would be funded include search and rescue, law enforcement, aids to navigation, pollution response and icebreaking.

Of particular importance is … Continue reading →

TOLEDO, OH – Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) has been named 2017 Great Lakes Legislator of the Year by the largest labor/management coalition representing shipping on America’s Fourth Sea Coast. The award is presented annually by Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) to a legislator who has helped advance waterborne commerce on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and will be presented at a ceremony at Bay Shipbuilding Company … Continue reading →

TOLEDO, OH – The year 2016 was one of steady progress towards making shipping on our nation’s Fourth Sea Coast as efficient and reliable as possible declares Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) in its 2016 Annual Report issued today. GLMTF, the largest labor/management coalition ever assembled to promote shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway cites progress on the dredging crisis, construction of a second Poe-sized lock, … Continue reading →

TOLEDO, OH – The much-needed second heavy icebreaker for service on the Great Lakes has taken another step toward reality with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) including $2 million for initial survey and design work for a vessel that is at least as capable as the current MACKINAW in the committee report on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 had previously authorized a … Continue reading →

American Great Lakes Ports Association / Great Lakes Maritime Task Force / Lake Carriers’ Association

May 20, 2016

 Statement on Ballast Water Provisions in National Defense Authorization Act
Passed by U.S. House of Representatives

The Great Lakes shipping community is praising inclusion of the provisions of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the House of Representatives on May 18.  VIDA would finally … Continue reading →

TOLEDO, OH – Ohio Congressman David Joyce (R) has been named a 2016 Great Lakes Legislator of the Year by the largest labor/management coalition representing shipping on America’s Fourth Sea Coast. Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) annually presents the award to legislators who have promoted shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. Rep. Joyce received his award at a ceremony in Washington on April 12.

“Rep. Joyce’s deep … Continue reading →

TOLEDO, OH – Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson (R) has been named 2016 Great Lakes Legislator of the Year by the largest labor/management coalition representing shipping on America’s Fourth Sea Coast.  The award is presented annually by Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) to a legislator who has helped advance waterborne commerce on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and will be presented at a ceremony at Bay Shipbuilding Company … Continue reading →

TOLEDO, OH – The Ohio House of Representatives has passed a resolution that urges the President of the United States, Congress, and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to support plans for upgrading the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, that connect Lake Superior to the Lower Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.  House Resolution 263 was sponsored by Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-7), cosponsored by 43 bipartisan members and passed … Continue reading →

TOLEDO, OH – Insufficient U.S. and Canadian icebreakers and reliance on a single Poe-sized lock to connect Lake Superior to the Lower Lakes and Seaway threaten the future of shipping on America’s Fourth Sea Coast warns Great Lakes Maritime Task Force in its 2015 Annual Report released today. “Another near arctic winter significantly impacted navigation, and then a 20-day closure of the MacArthur Lock in late summer gave us an … Continue reading →