AWO Letter - August 7, 2025

AWO Letter - August 7, 2025

dwisniewski 08/07/25

AWO Releases Midyear Impact Report. AWO is has issued its Midyear Impact 2025 Report, highlighting results and progress in our work as the tugboat, towboat and barge industry's advocate, resource and united voice over the first half of 2025. It's been a busy and productive start to the year, and we have much more to accomplish on your behalf in the coming months.  AWO thanks all members for your engagement and support in helping us maximize the opportunities and navigate the challenges of this dynamic time. We are here to serve YOU!  
 

AMP Files Motion to Dismiss Jones Act Legal Challenge. After being granted intervenor status by the court, the American Maritime Partnership, joined by the Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, recently filed a motion to dismiss with prejudice Koloa Rum Company's lawsuit claiming the Jones Act is unconstitutional. In its motion, AMP -- with AWO as a leading member -- argued that Koloa lacks standing, failed to adhere to the statute of limitations for bringing a claim, and failed to articulate how the Jones Act violates the Port Preference Clause or any of Koloa's Due Process rights. The federal government and Matson Navigation, another intervenor in the case, made similar arguments in their own motions to dismiss. Koloa's opposition to the motions to dismiss is due September 12 and AMP's reply is due October 3.
 

Coast Guard Will Not Delay Implementation of Cybersecurity Regulations for U.S. Vessels; Publishes FAQs. The Coast Guard has informed AWO that the compliance deadlines for its cybersecurity regulations will remain as stated in the final rule issued in January. When the final rule was published, the agency solicited comments on a potential two-to-five-year implementation delay for U.S.-flagged vessels, which AWO and our industry coalition partners strongly supported. The Coast Guard advised AWO that a recent Maritime Commons blog post outlining the rule's implementation timeline serves as its notice that they have decided not to delay implementation and that vessels regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act must conduct a Cybersecurity Assessment and submit a Cybersecurity Plan by July 16, 2027. The Coast Guard has also published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to the final rule.

AWO has formed a member working group to guide the development of a Cybersecurity Annex to the AWO Alternative Security Program and will be kicking off that process in the coming weeks. Additionally, AWO will release a working group-developed training template next month to support members' compliance with the cybersecurity training requirements, which must be met by January 12, 2026.

If you have any questions about the Coast Guard's cybersecurity regulations and how AWO can help your company comply, please contact Liam Morcroft.
 

NMC Updates Guidance on Time-and-a-Half Credit. Following recent member discussions in the Mariner Credentialing Working Group, AWO recently raised concerns with the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center (NMC) about the rate of applications receiving Awaiting Information letters and errors in calculating sea time for mariners working 12-hour days. Based on those conversations, the NMC has now updated its guidance document on time-and-a-half credit for mariners working 12-hour days instead of 8 hours, and has retrained all evaluators on that guidance. The NMC will begin monitoring evaluators through its quality control processes and training check-ins to ensure that training is being implemented correctly. The NMC also clarified to AWO that to minimize errors, sea service letters must clearly state that 1) the mariner stood watch for 12 hours and that 2) the vessel was authorized for a 2-watch system. If your mariners are experiencing challenges with applications related to 12-hour days or if you'd like to join the AWO Mariner Credentialing Working Group, contact Patrick Parsons.
 

Online Application Status and Credential Verification Tools Restored. To address the functionality lost when Homeport was taken offline, the National Maritime Center recently launched new Mariner Credential Application Status and Mariner Credential Verification self-service tools. AWO had strongly advocated for the Coast Guard to restore the functionality of these lost tools, particularly given the unsustainable response time of the temporary processes established as an interim measure. Early reports from AWO members are positive and indicate that the new tools provide rapid responses. If you have feedback or concerns with the new tools, please contact Patrick Parsons.
 

Recent Accidents Highlight Importance of Multi-Use Waterways Safety. Two events on July 29 underscored the importance of safe boating practices and awareness. In Miami, a tragic accident claimed the lives of three young sailors when their small sailboat collided with a tug and crane barge underway in Biscayne Bay. Later that day, another collision claimed the life of an adult recreational boater when he struck a tug in the Sabine River. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to investigate both of these accidents.

These tragic accidents underscore the critical need for waterways users to exercise heightened situational awareness on multi-use waterways where recreational and commercial traffic meet - a need AWO is committed to supporting through educational products and safety resources developed by our Recreational Boating Safety Working Group. We share these resources with Harbor Safety Committees and partners such as the National Safe Boating Council, in AWO's online resource library, and in forums across the country. 
 

AWO PAC and Inside Elections. AWO has partnered with Inside Elections for another special edition featuring insights on 2026 Senate races.

AWO PAC is the connected political action committee for The American Waterways Operators and serves as the trade association's separate segregated fund. As a trade association, AWO is prohibited from using general treasury funds or membership dues to make federal contributions. AWO is one of the most effective advocacy associations in Washington, DC, and relies on voluntary personal contributions to fund AWO PAC.

AWO PAC supports federal candidates who are champions of the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry and who are leaders on issues important to our industry. AWO PAC is dedicated to protecting AWO members' investments in the safest, most environmentally responsible and most economical mode of freight transportation and safeguarding the integrity of the Jones Act to protect the bottom lines of our members.

AWO PAC may solicit contributions from individuals of a member company once the member representative gives AWO written prior approval.
 

USACE Releases Updated Navigation Strategic Framework. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has released its updated Navigation Strategic Framework. The Framework aims to support a robust and resilient marine transportation system through inland navigation modernization, sustainable coastal navigation, and USACE floating plant asset management.

USACE breaks down the strategy into four categories: support navigation; innovate; strengthen the USACE workforce; and grow partnerships. The report also lays out the development and execution of a 20-year construction and operations and maintenance plan, emphasizes promoting the benefits of our nation's marine transportation system to the public, and includes a plan to pilot regional innovation hubs to explore new technologies and methods for USACE navigation infrastructure and operations.  
 

DOE to Hold Alternative Maritime Fuels Research Workshop. The Department of Energy's (DOE) National Laboratories are holding a virtual workshop to review research needs to increase the production and use of alternative maritime fuels. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27 from 8am to 11am EDT. During the event, participants will be given a detailed list of research needs and the DOE will collect anonymized feedback. AWO members are encouraged to participate to ensure that the particular needs and unique challenges of our segment of the maritime industry are represented. The deadline to register is Sunday, August 17. 
 

USACE Announces Mississippi River Commission Low-Water Inspection Trip. The Mississippi River Commission (MRC) will commence its low-water inspection trip in St. Louis, MO on August 15 and include scheduled stops in Caruthersville, MO; Memphis, TN; and Greenville, MS, concluding in Morgan City, LA on August 22. Public meetings at each location will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The meetings, which are open to all, offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with the MRC and Board President Major General Kimberly Peeples and contribute to discussions regarding river management and stakeholder needs. AWO encourages members to participate by attending, providing oral remarks, or submitting written testimony to ensure the MRC is informed of the towing industry's needs on the river.
 

AWO Welcomes New Commander to Coast Guard Heartland District. AWO Vice President - Southern Region Jill Bessetti and many AWO members attended the Coast Guard Heartland District Change of Command on August 1. Rear Admiral Will Watson assumed responsibility for the Heartland's District 26 states from Rear Admiral David Barata in a ceremony at the WWII museum in New Orleans, LA. Vice Admiral Nathan Moore, USCG Atlantic Area Commander, presided over the ceremony. 
 

Reminder: Join AWO for a Safety Standdown Day to #StopFallsOverboard. To raise awareness and reinforce safety practices to prevent falls overboard, AWO is leading a call to action on August 28 for the Falls Overboard Safety Standdown Day. AWO is asking all U.S. towing vessel operators to participate by holding brief discussions with crews and shoreside teams to: 

  • Review falls overboard prevention procedures. 
  • Reinforce safe deck behavior, buddy systems, fall restraint use, and proper PPE. 
  • Encourage mariners to post to social media about their discussion, using the tag #StopFallsOverboard to show industry unity and raise awareness. 

Participants are urged to use AWO's Falls Overboard Prevention Report and the Falls Overboard Safety Standdown Day Discussion Sheet to help guide their conversation. Both are available from AWO's Resource Library. 

This unified industrywide pause is an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, engage mariners in meaningful dialogue, and demonstrate a shared commitment to safety. Companies are encouraged to tag AWO on X (Twitter): @AWOAdvocacy, or on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

Please contact Deanna Wisniewski for more information.
 

2026 Equipment Reporting Season is Coming! The AWO equipment reporting process for 2026 is approaching! Equipment reporting is the annual process by which each AWO carrier member verifies and updates their equipment lists. Carrier equipment lists are then used to calculate membership dues for the following year. By ensuring that each member's annual invoice is accurate, we also ensure that the cost of running AWO is fairly apportioned among members. Please email Violet Daniels with any questions about this process.