Great Lakes Region Creates 132K+ Maritime Jobs

According to a new study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of Transportation Institute (TI), the Jones Act continues to fuel a strong maritime industry throughout the Great Lakes region, where the PwC report shows 123,670 Jones Act-related jobs – or 20% of the national total – are based.

Between 2011 and 2016, maritime employment in the region increased by 25,400 jobs. Overall, the industry generates $30 billion of economic activity and $8.45 billion in worker income in the eight Great Lakes states.

“With our Great Lakes and rich maritime history, it’s no surprise this industry is an important part of Michigan’s economy,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). “The Jones Act helps ensure that these jobs stay in Michigan and that this American industry continues to thrive.”

The Jones Act requires that the transportation of merchandise between all U.S. points be reserved for U.S. -built, -owned, -crewed, and -documented vessels. By enabling the domestic shipping industry to flourish, the law is not only a vital anchor for economic strength and job creation for the Great Lakes states, but also a pillar for the entire nation’s prosperity and security.

“The report confirms our course: invest in our maritime assets and prepare our workforce for the maritime jobs of the future. This region has an important place at the table to strengthen our strong domestic maritime industry and its critical role in our national security and prosperity,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).

“In Ohio alone, the efforts of over 13,000 workers facilitate more than $3 billion moving into local economies and generating $817.5 million in worker income. These are the benchmarks from which workers and industry leaders can build on our successes and plan a future of expanded commerce and opportunity,” she added.

Thanks to the Jones Act, the domestic maritime industry employs approximately 650,000 Americans across all 50 states, creates $41 billion in labor income for American workers, and adds more than $154.8 billion in annual economic output each year.

The U.S. domestic fleet is one of the largest in the world, with more than 40,000 vessels – built in American shipyards, crewed by American mariners, and owned by American companies – that operate in American waters 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, has joined elected officials, business leaders, and maritime advocates from the eight Great Lakes states to proudly announce new economic benefits of the industry to the entire region.