Bill Introduced to Put Exporting Ships At Front of Line
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., the lead Democratic sponsor of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, has introduced a second bill aimed at helping agricultural exporters, called the American Port Access Privileges Act.
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If it passes, it would give vessels that are carrying "significant cargo bookings" of U.S. exports, or ships that are heading to multiple U.S. ports, priority to both load and unload, but would not give them priority ahead of military or U.S.-flagged ships.
To get the preferential berthing, the vessels would have to report at least seven days in advance to port operators.
The sponsors believe it would motivate carriers "to make second-leg voyages to ports like the Port of Oakland, which is critical for California’s agricultural exporters."
Garamendi said, "Foreign exporters’ access to the American market and our consumers is a privilege, not a right. Cargo ships looking to offload foreign-made products and profit off West Coast ports must provide opportunities for American exports in return."
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was also designed to achieve this, by saying that carriers cannot "unreasonably decline" export shipments.
The bill also would ask the Department of Transportation to collect data on berthing and cargo practices at U.S. ports, to quantify how exports are being treated, and how the bill is affecting the flow of goods.