Salt Shipment Reaches New Jersey, "Lesson Learned Should Not Be to Repeal or Blame Jones Act"
New Jersey Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker released a statement Wednesday in response to the delivery of much-needed salt to state ports whose delay was largely but not necessarily accurately attributed to the Jones Act. In their statement, the senators warn against prematurely seeking to place blame on the century-old cabotage law.
Sens. Menendez, Booker Statement on Efforts to Address NJ’s Rock Salt Shortage
(NEWARK, N.J.) – U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today released the following joint-statement regarding New Jersey’s shortage of rock salt:
“We are pleased to hear that the first shipment of rock salt arrived at Port Newark last night. When we first heard about the emergent nature of the State’s salt shortage in media reports, we immediately contacted the appropriate federal agencies on behalf of the health, safety and well-being of New Jersey residents seeking help in expediting procurement and delivery of much needed rock salt.
“What has become clear is that the State Department of Transportation has fallen short in planning for and addressing its dwindling salt supply. There were numerous opportunities to enlist our help, including at least one direct conversation with Commissioner Simpson, in which the apparent salt crisis wasn’t even mentioned. In the face of an emergency, citizens of New Jersey expect its officials to do everything possible to protect the public from potential harm and in this case, the State fell short.
“It is our understanding that NJDOT’s request to waive the Jones Act was denied because it was determined that American vessels were readily available to transport the salt from Maine to New Jersey, a development we were glad to help facilitate and expedite.
“We stand ready to act and to advocate for our fellow New Jerseyans at the federal level, but can only do so when we are informed of a potential issue. It doesn’t matter if it’s John Q. Public, a local mayor or in this case, the State. Had offers for help not been ignored, we could have worked in partnership, provided appropriate guidance on the best way to achieve their intended goal, and most likely avoided this unnecessary situation.
“We would caution those who would recklessly call for the abolition of the Jones Act, which has served for nearly a century to protect our national and economic security. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920—which prohibits use of a foreign-flagged vessel for transporting goods between U.S. ports—was designed to support America’s strong shipping industry, while ensuring our country’s readiness to defend itself against a national security threat.
“The lesson learned here should not be to repeal or blame the Jones Act, but to work in partnership to achieve a common goal. The State’s poor planning should not become New Jersey residents’ emergency.”
Nonetheless, public opinion regarding whether the Jones Act should have been waived, if it could have allowed salt to arrive sooner, remains divided. Sample comments following a NJ.com article on the subject, notably written by American Maritime Partnership chairman Tom Allegretti, read as follows:
"There's no doubt as to the value of the Jones Act and of our Maritime industry.
But I think that demand for road salt was unusually high this season given that many states were experiencing widespread snow and ice storms...states that typically don't require large volumes of salt. Atlanta, Georgia comes to mind as an example.
My experience in ordering bagged rock salt by the pallet for my workplace is that I can replenish it during the winter if necessary, even with minor delays after a big storm. Not so this year. I've received several additional shipments until the end of January. Since then, no dice.
Poor planning by the state? Maybe not. I think that the salt wasn't available when typically it would be.
So a one-time waiver of the Jones Act has its value too, imo, and I don't really understand its refusal by the Federal agencies.
This isn't about waving the US flag and patriotism. It's about solving a temporary road salt shortage in a state that is in dire need." [Link]
"I support the Jones Act however when a situation comes up where safety of citizens is in jeopardy a waiver should be issued just like was done after Katrina. It should not matter if it was caused by poor planning." [Link]
Regardless of one's position on the Jones Act, hopefully the past weeks' events will facilitate a dialogue on how we might better utilize both the national and international maritime industries.
