The Impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” on the Jones Act and U.S. Maritime Growth
By VOICES Staff. On July 4th, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB), a massive reconciliation package that includes significant provisions for the maritime industry. The bill delivers critical funding to enhance U.S. maritime security, shipbuilding, and defense capabilities, while fostering economic growth and job creation in maritime-related sectors. The […]
Crowley Tug Repowers Boost Maritime Readiness in America’s Busiest Ports
By VOICES Staff. Two of the hardest-working tugboats on the West Coast are back in action—smarter, cleaner, and more powerful than ever. Crowley has completed full repowers of the Master and Leader, its ship assist and escort tugs serving the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These modernizations are helping ensure the ports — […]
A Cleaner Fleet Starts at the Shipyard
By VOICES Staff. As America charts a course toward building, crewing and sailing more U.S. ships, maritime innovators are stepping up to meet the need to protect our inland waterways, Great Lakes and ocean territory. Among them is Florida-based Seascour, a company revolutionizing one of the most overlooked, and potentially environmentally harmful, aspects of ship […]
Muscular new escort tug supports a resurgent Port of Baltimore
By Casey Conoly, Professional Mariner. McAllister Towing & Transportation’s multiyear fleet renewal gained momentum this spring with the arrival of Isabel McAllister in the Port of Baltimore. The 6,770-hp tug is the fourth delivery in a six-boat series from Washburn & Doughty Associates in East Boothbay, Maine. The shipyard also designed Isabel using its proven […]
USACE Navigation mission critical to Armed Forces’ strategic readiness
By Kathryne Gest. WASHINGTON – When the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) needs to move over 1,000 trucks, trailers, and tons of equipment for a large training exercise, they rely on the cost-effectiveness and convenience of the nation’s waterways. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains an extensive network of inland and intracoastal […]
Why the Jones Act matters—to both Connecticut and Puerto Rico
by Jaime Santiago, CT Mirror. I’ve spent my career in the maritime industry, working with several shipping companies across Puerto Rico. Born and raised on the island, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to its port operations for decades. Today, I serve as Vice President and General Manager of McAllister Towing in Puerto Rico. From […]
How USVs Are Transforming U.S. Maritime Safety and Efficiency
By VOICES Staff. Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) are already rapidly transforming the defense sector, assisting in everything from offshore inspections to port security and beyond. However, as USVs become more prevalent in American waters, the question remains: how do we integrate this technology while upholding the principles of the Jones Act, ensuring that American mariners […]
Wave of Support Voiced for Jones Act
By Seafarers International Union. America’s freight cabotage law – a crucial part of national, economic and homeland security for more than a century – recently received strong backing from several prominent sources. During a March 5 hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Randall Reed, USAF, commander of the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), […]
Jones Act Debate Takes Center Stage on Leading Podcast – Bloomberg’s Odd Lots
By VOICES Staff. The Miracle Theatre, Washington, DC’s oldest movie theater, was packed with an engaged audience as one of the nation’s leading podcasts – Bloomberg’s “Odd Lots” – recorded its first-ever episode on the Jones Act. Hosted by analysts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway, this was also the show’s first live event in the […]
Column: Anti-Jones Act attacks don’t hold water
By Captain Ed Enos. It’s curious why some are pushing so hard against the Jones Act in Hawaii lately (“Jones Act hurts more than it helps,” Island Voices, Star-Advertiser, Feb. 23). Contrary to what Grassroot Institute-affiliated scholar Colin Grabow writes, the Jones Act doesn’t impact the cost of fuel in Hawaii because our island refinery […]
