Interlake President Mark W. Barker had the honor of speaking at the National Maritime Day Observance in Washington, D. C.

“The Jones Act is critical for our national and economic security. We are not the lowest cost provider, nor should we be. We build our ships under the highest safety and environmental standards, and we pay good wages and benefits to the incredible women and men who build and operate these ships. We cannot compete, nor should we try to compete, against ships that are built with foreign government subsidies that do not hold safety, people, the environment, or good wages as a priority,” he said. “As we look to the future, we need to level the playing field and ensure that we are supporting shipyards and the workforce that builds and operates them.”

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and U.S. Transportation Command Deputy Commander LTG Jered P. Helwig also spoke at the national event that recognizes maritime as one of our country’s most important industries.

Mark W. Barker, president of the Interlake Steamship Company

In 1933, Congress declared National Maritime Day to commemorate the American steamship Savannah’s voyage from the United States to England, marking the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion.

During World War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 6,700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships being sunk or damaged.

Each year, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country recognize Maritime Day and the hard-working and dedicated people our maritime nation depends on. hashtag#MaritimeProud hashtag#MadeinAmerica hashtag#shippingmatters

You can watch the full ceremony here: National Maritime Day Observance with Secretary Duffy | U.S. Department of Transportation – YouTube https://lnkd.in/dYaRMjwH

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