Table 5-3
Maritime Security Program Participants, 2001
| Participants | Number of vessels |
|---|---|
| American Ship Management, LLC | 9 containerships |
| Automar International Car Carrier, Inc. | 3 roll-on/roll-off vessels |
| Central Gulf Lines, Inc. | 3 roll-on/roll-off vessels |
| E-Ships, Inc. | 3 containerships |
| First American Bulk Carrier Corp. | 2 containerships |
| First Ocean Bulk Carrier-I, II, III, LLC | 3 containerships |
| Maersk Line, Ltd. | 4 containerships |
| OSG Car Carriers, Inc. | 1 roll-on/roll-off vessel |
| U.S. Ship Management, Inc. | 15 containerships |
| Waterman Steamship Corp. | 3 LASH (barge-carrying ship) & 1 roll-on/roll-off vessel |
| Total | 47 vessels |
NOTE: Liner regularly scheduled service provider.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Office of Sealift Support, 2001.
- The Maritime Security Act of 1996 (MSA) established the Maritime Security Program (MSP) under Title VI, Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended. The MSP replaced the operating-differential subsidy (ODS) program for liner operators.
- The MSP has been authorized through fiscal year 2005, and provides for $100 million annually, subject to annual congressional appropriations.
- The MSP supports 47 ships in international trade at a cap of $2.1 million per ship per year, which is less than half the cost of the ODS program. As of May 1, 2001, 12 U.S.-flag carriers were receiving MSP payments.
- The MSP fleet's average ship age is less than 14 years old. Fourteen foreign-flag vessels, all less than 10 years old, have been changed to U.S. registry and entered in the MSP. One newly built vessel was substituted for a 25-year old MSP vessel in 1999.