• Certificates of Financial Responsibility: The National Pollution Funds Center will process COFR applications and will assist Captains of the Port in determining COFR validity.
• Certificates of Documentation: COD applications for commercial vessels will not be processed. However, existing vessels with CODs that expired after October 1 engaged on domestic voyages may continue to operate provided that the operator can provide evidence that a renewal application has been submitted to the National Vessel Documentation Center. In addition, new vessels may be issued an initial Certificate of Inspection before the COD is issued provided the NVDC has received the COD application.
• Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Endorsements: Mariners operating on STCW endorsements or holding STCW medical certificates that expired on or after October 1 may continue to sail provided that a renewal application has been submitted to the National Maritime Center and the company has applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation.

The MSIB's discussion of mitigation measures for merchant mariner credentials has been superseded by new guidance from the NMC, detailed below. If you have any questions, or are experiencing impacts from the shutdown that are not addressed in the MSIB, please contact Caitlyn Stewart.

Breaking: Coast Guard Extends Credentialing Mitigation Measures. With the National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Exam centers closed for processing during the government shutdown, AWO is actively advocating with Coast Guard leadership for extensions for credentials and other documentation that expire during the shutdown. In its most recent announcement, the NMC published the following key mitigation measures: 

• National Merchant Mariner Credentials and medical certificates that expire in October and November 2025 remain valid until January 31, 2026. 

• Additional information letters, approval to test letters, and mariner training course completion certificates that expire in October and November are also extended until January 31, 2026. 

• Designated Examiner certification letters and course approvals that expired October 31, 2025, are extended to February 28, 2026; and those that expire November 30, 2025, are extended to March 31, 2026. 

Additional information and procedural requirements for mariners sailing on credentials subject to these extensions are contained in the announcement. AWO will continue engaging with the Coast Guard to minimize both the direct shutdown impacts to mariners during the shutdown and challenges when the NMC reopens and begins working through the processing backlog. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Patrick Parsons. 

U.S., China Agree to Suspend Shipping-related Fees. As part of a trade agreementreached between President Trump and President Xi Jinping, both countries have agreed to suspend shipping fees for one year beginning November 10, 2025. The U.S. first implemented various fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-controlled vessels calling at U.S. ports as a result of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's Section 301 investigation on China's Targeting the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance. China retaliated with its own fees on U.S.-flag vessels and maritime operations with other U.S. connections.

AWO President & CEO: Jones Act Fundamental to America First Agenda. Jennifer Carpenter recently authored an opinion column for DC Journal explaining how the Jones Act fully aligns with President Trump's high-priority focus on strengthening American maritime, and how weakening this foundational law would undermine the U.S. economy, supply chain, and national security.   

As Jennifer writes: "There is nothing more America First than the Jones Act. By requiring shipping within the United States to be done by vessels that are built in America, operated and crewed by Americans, and fully subject to U.S. laws, it is the maritime embodiment of President Trump's motto, 'Buy American and Hire American.'" 

New Report: 105 Countries Have Cabotage Laws like Jones Act. An updated report from Seafarers' Rights International shows that the number of countries with cabotage laws, like the Jones Act in the U.S., has grown from 91 countries in 2018 to 105 -- accounting for 85 percent of the world's coastline -- in 2025. AWO President & CEO Jennifer Carpenter and David Heindel, President of the Seafarers International Union, highlighted in a recent op-edthat the reasons for the growing trend are clear: "Cabotage laws ensure that nations retain control over their domestic commerce, safeguard good jobs for their own citizens, and strengthen national and homeland security." While special interests "have launched quiet campaigns to weaken America's cabotage laws," Carpenter and Heindel conclude that this report reinforces the need to "stand firm in defending...this proven policy. Because cabotage doesn't just protect ships and commerce -- it protects nations, workers, and the very freedom to chart one's own course." 

The report gained additional media attention during a Homeland Security Today interviewfeaturing Carpenter, Heindel, and Deirdre Fitzpatrick of Seafarers' Rights International. 

Coast Guard Cancels Northeast District Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative. Shortly after reopening the comment period for the modernization project, the Coast Guard suspended its coastal buoy modernization initiative in the Northeast District, citing further analysis needed before the project can move forward. The Coast Guard had proposed to disestablish as many as 300 physical aids to navigation in coastal waters from New York City to the Canadian border. AWO and nearly 3200 other commenters, including maritime associations, vessel operators, and Members of Congress, submitted comments opposing the proposed changes, citing the continuing value of physical AtoNs even in an increasingly digitalized operating environment.   

McAllister, AWO and FMP Host Tug Tour in Jacksonville. Last month, McAllister Towing of Florida and the Florida Maritime Partnership worked with AWO to arrange a tugboat tour in Jacksonville for state senators Tracie Davis, Clay Yarborough, and their staffs. This was a great opportunity for the towing industry in Jacksonville to promote the importance of domestic maritime and the Port of Jacksonville to Florida's economy. FMP and AWO will follow up this tour with a Tallahassee Sail-In in early 2026 to further highlight the impact of the domestic maritime fleet to Florida. Many thanks to McAllister captains Chuck Runnion, Sean Hammock, and John Redman, and the crew of the Janet M. McAllister, for hosting the lawmakers.

AWO Highlights Safety and Advocacy at American P&I Club Seminar. AWO's Kyle Burleson and Michael Breslin represented AWO at The American P&I Club's 2025 US Claims & Loss Prevention Seminar, where they discussed AWO's advocacy on the California Commercial Harbor Craft rule, as well as ongoing collaboration with bridge owners and regulators to enhance safety across the nation's navigable waterways and what that means for AWO members. 

Stephen Dann, AWO and American Club Board Member and owner of Dann Ocean Towing, opened the event, which brought together maritime leaders from across the industry and experts from the U.S. Coast Guard. Presentations at the seminar focused on a wide range of important topics, including: AI proliferation in shipping; arbitration; decarbonization; evidence collection; EU ETS and FuelEU compliance; Coast Guard investigations and inspections; pre-employment medical screenings; and seafarer nutrition and fitness. 

To learn more about the American Club, please contact Danielle Centeno. For questions about AWO's participation in the seminar please contact Michael Breslin or Kyle Burleson.

NY Harbor Carriers Hosts Meeting in Staten Island. The Towboat and Harbor Carriers' Association for the Port of New York and New Jersey hosted its business meeting on October 29. Chairman Nathan Hauser, Moran Towing Corporation, and Executive Director Eric Johnansson led discussions on recent advocacy efforts with New York State on issues including the NY Department of Transportation's Master Transportation Plan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' anchor penetration study, and the NYS Economic Development Corporation's plans to upgrade the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Additionally, the U.S. Navy was on hand to discuss plans for next year's Sail 4th 250 event. Capt. Johansson capped the meeting by emphasizing the need to develop state-level coalitions to support these and other advocacy efforts, and to continue to coordinate activity with AWO.

Carpenter Hosts AMP Podcast on Sealift & Shipbuilding Featuring TOTE Services. AWO's President & CEO Jennifer Carpenter recently hosted an episode of AMP's American Maritime Podcast featuring Jeff Vogel, Vice President of Legal at TOTE Services, a sister company of AWO member Foss Maritime.  

During the podcast, Mr. Vogel discussed the importance of the Jones Act to TOTE's operations from the company's founding 50 years ago through today; the vital role that the Jones Act plays in encouraging innovation and investment across the American maritime industry; TOTE's role in construction of the State of Maine National Security Multi-Mission Vessel and key takeaways for American shipbuilding moving forward; the importance of American commercial mariners and vessels to military sealift operations in support of national defense; and more. Listen to the full podcast here.   

ICYMI: AWO Launches Video Highlighting Industry's Importance to U.S. National, Homeland Security. The two-minute video, The Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Industry: Supplying America, Securing America, explains that while the mariners who transport cargo and facilitate commerce on America's rivers, coasts, harbors and Great Lakes are critical to powering the economy, they also play a vital role in safeguarding our nation. You can view the video and read AWO's press release here; and you can help us tell this vital part of our industry's story by liking our social media posts and reposting the video on your company's social platforms. 

#MissiontoMaritime: Honoring Veterans in the TTB Industry. Throughout November, AWO will feature our new #MissiontoMaritime campaign to spotlight veterans who transitioned to a career in the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry as a thank-you for their service. Veterans bring their leadership, teamwork, and dedication from sea to shore, and their mission continues -- powering our waterways, keeping commerce moving, and strengthening our maritime community every day.

If you or someone you know would like to participate, please submit the following to Lillie Wightman:

• A short, well-lit, and audibly clear video providing your:
  • Name
  • Current company and role
  • Military branch and rank
  • Years of service in the military
• In the video, answer at least one of the following:
  • What attracted you to a career in the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry after your military service?
  • How did your experience in the military prepare you for your current career?
  • What do you find most rewarding about your work and industry now?

This campaign will run throughout the month of November, though we ask that you submit any content as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Lillie Wightman.

AWO Hosts Virtual Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group meeting. AWO's Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group recently convened for an update on AWO's recent engagement with the Coast Guard, including ongoing conversations with the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance to improve Subchapter M enforcement processes and a new initiative in the Heartland District to bring AWO members together with marine inspectors for Industry Training Days. During the meeting, AWO asked for feedback from participants to share with the Coast Guard concerning specific areas where inspector availability and flexibility is an issue, among other topics.

To share your feedback on Subchapter M enforcement challenges, please contact Liam Morcroft.

AWO Sustainability Tech Working Group Meets to Discuss New Vessel Technology. The AWO Sustainability Tech Working Group recently held its October meeting featuring an in-depth discussion with naval architects and AWO members Glosten and Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG). Mike Complita representing EBDG and Peter Soles of Glosten discussed the work their firms have done on new vessel technology designs, and working group members had the opportunity to ask detailed questions about sustainability technologies. Also, two port databases were discussed: the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's APEX Tool and the Ports Project Database from the High Ambition Climate Collective. These projects offer information on the availability of alternative fuels at ports and various port sustainability initiatives.

Sustainability Tech Working Group meetings are held every two months, with the next one tentatively scheduled for mid-December. If you or someone in your organization would like to join the working group, please email Bradley Trammell. 

AWO PAC and Inside Elections. AWO PAC has partnered with Inside Elections for another special edition, focusing on the quarterly Senate overview and including updated analysis on all 35 races around the country.

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.

Visit AWO at WorkBoat Show! AWO will be at booth 3472 during the International WorkBoat Show on December 3-5 in New Orleans. Stop by with questions for our team, or just to say hi! We look forward to seeing many AWO members there.