Exchange Supports the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act Funding for Ports

Via email to entire Delaware River delegation

July 22, 2020

Dear Senator/Representative:

This letter requests your support of the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act and its language stating that public port authorities and private entities engaged in support for water transportation are eligible to receive relief grant funds. The legislation recognizes the importance of terminal operations to the increasingly critical maritime supply chain. As you are aware, continued operation of Delaware River terminals during the current state of upheaval due to COVID-19 is essential. This requires ample funding for staffing, workforce retention and paid leave, procurement and use of personal protective equipment, debt service payments, infrastructure repair, and of course, cleaning and sanitization, all of which are authorized in this bill. Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief funds will provide sorely needed help to ports to manage the impact of this pandemic and help ensure that the Delaware River maritime transportation system maintains a state of readiness to assist in our nation’s economic recovery.

Marine terminal operations and the longshore labor performing work at these terminals are classified as essential services, and justifiably so. They continue to perform their jobs at this critical juncture in time while under the immense stress of COVID-19 — no small feat. As you move forward to legislative consideration of supplemental measures to address COVID-19, we urge you to support this legislation designed to help alleviate and bridge the financial gaps that could jeopardize continued healthy operation of our regional maritime transportation system.

Thank you for your leadership during this period of great uncertainty and for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact me at dennis.rochford@maritimedelriv.com or at 215-925-2615 with questions or need for additional information.