Doyle rejects foreign Ro/Ro pact

Federal Maritime Commissioner William P. Doyle voted to reject joint contracting authority for Roll-on/Roll-off foreign carriers to negotiate collectively for U.S.-flagged tug services. Doyle's statement notes new rules go beyond the scope of the Shipping Act and shipping practices harmful to U.S. domestic maritime trades. The maritime business community operating in and around American waterways raised objections to the joint contracting and procurement language, he said. “Tens-of-thousands of family wage jobs are supported by these service providers and the U.S. coastal and inland waterways fleet.” (Source: Maritime Logistics Professional 01/25/17