MARAD
09-03
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Contact: Sharon Jenkins
Tel.: (202) 366-4610
MARAD
Honors Shippers for Support of Merchant Marine
As part of the celebration of National Maritime Day, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration today honored five shippers and freight forwarders for supporting the U.S. merchant marine.
In a noonday ceremony at the Propeller Club of America in Washington, DC, Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert presented Merchant Marine plaques of appreciation to the recipients for shipping a significant portion of their commercial cargo on U.S.-flag vessels.
“By giving a substantial portion of their international business to U.S. carriers these exporters are not only helping to maintain a merchant fleet that supports America’s economic and defense security, but also are helping to promote American export services at a time when it is vitally important for our nation,” Schubert said.
“It is critical to have a strong U.S. merchant marine, particularly in light of the current war efforts and the need for immediate access to U.S.-flag vessels to transport cargo,” he added. “These shippers are doing their part to ensure that our merchant fleet remains a viable force in today’s environment.”
More than 80 percent of the military cargo shipped to the Middle East in support of U.S. Armed Forces during the Iraqi conflict was shipped on U.S. flag commercial or government vessels. The recipients were the Monsanto Company of St. Louis, MO; the Government of Israel - Ministry of Defense office in New York; Toys "R" Us, Inc. of Paramus, NJ; Transoceanic Shipping Company, Inc. of Kenner, LA, and the U.S. Department of State’s Despatch Agency.
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