Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I am introducing the Ship Agent Licensure Act along with my colleague Senator Whitehouse. This legislation seeks to improve supply chain efficiencies and port safety and security by creating a Federal standard and licensure for independent ship agent companies, just as we already do for transportation intermediaries like Freight Forwarders and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers, NVOCCs. Ship agents are one of the most important yet least understood stakeholders in the international marine trade supply chain, but in the United States, there is no Federal licensing for these essential players. A ship agent can best be understood as the general contractor of the port call, tasked by ship owners and charterers with managing thousands of vendors to ensure a safe, secure, and cost efficient port call. This includes coordinating critical Federal Government clearances and inspections for Agencies that include the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, the EPA, USDA, and others. Government officials rely on ship agents to fulfill their critical role of facilitating commerce, and protecting life, property, and the environment. More than any other stakeholder, the ship agent facilitates efficiencies at the Nation's ports of entry, the frontline of the supply chain.…”