The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has warned that the American Offshore Worker Fairness Act (AOWFA) would make it harder to develop US offshore energy projects by limiting the availability of vessels and crews.
The proposed legislation aims to limit the number of non-US citizens working on foreign-flagged vessels in the country. The amendments would require that crews of foreign-flagged vessels working in US waters be either US citizens or legal permanent residents or citizens of the vessel’s flag nation.
Foreign mariners would also have to secure permits to work, while foreign vessels would need to reapply for new letters based on current ownership.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) would need to inspect foreign vessels annually with heavy fines for those found to be in breach.
However, the IMCA warned that with the US facing a shortage of mariners, American companies are struggling to man existing fleets.
As such, the proposed legislation would essentially require a vessel to replace its entire crew with untrained and inexperienced US mariners, who are in fact unavailable.
The AOWFA is currently awaiting consideration by both houses of the US Congress, having passed the US House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
IMCA CEO Iain Grainger said: “This proposed legislation ignores the reality for offshore delivery in wind markets around the globe. There is a worldwide shortage of specialist vessels, a limited talent pool with the skills, knowledge and experience required to operate them safely, and huge demands driven by the move to Net Zero and energy security concerns.”
He added: “As with previous attempts to change the status quo, we’d urge legislators in the US to look beyond simplistic rhetoric to explore the more complex and nuanced realities of our industry.
“IMCA Members are supportive of the Jones Act. A tightening of restrictions on offshore workers will simply result in the US becoming an unattractive place to do business to the detriment of America’s energy ambitions and strategy.”