Horizon Lines backs legislation to boost coastal shipping

U.S. Jones Act carrier Horizon Lines Inc. has lent its support to legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate that the Charlotte-N.C.-based company said will encourage coastal shipping.

The legislation, introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., would exempt coastwise shipping of containerized cargo from the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT). The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Gordon Smith, R-Ore., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and David Vitter, R-La.

Horizon Lines said the exemption would eliminate both the tax and associated paperwork burdens that discourage shippers from routing U.S. cargo by sea.

This is the bipartisan legislative progress we need to make coastwise shipping a reality in America,?said Charles G. Raymond, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Horizon Lines.

New coastwise services will mean economic growth with less impact on the environment and job growth for maritime labor. We can use our existing marine infrastructure to mitigate highway congestion and improve the overall efficiency of our national transportation infrastructure for sustainable growth.

America is looking for new initiatives to save fuel, improve efficiency and protect the environment. Coastwise shipping would help meet all those goals and an HMT exemption will help bring it into reality. We applaud Senator Lautenberg and his co-sponsors for this initiative, he said.

Raymond also noted Horizon's continued support for similar legislation pending in the House, sponsored by Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., with bipartisan support.

With support now in the Senate as well as in the House of Representatives, we are hopeful Congress can pass this important legislation, Raymond said. 

Source: American Shipper