At the Port of Virginia in Norfolk and the Port of Lake Charles in Louisiana, Seattle-based Foss Maritime is loading hundreds of utility trucks onto barges bound for Puerto Rico as part of the on-going effort to restore power to nearly half of the island's population. Last Friday, Ricardo Rosselló, governor of Puerto Rico, announced that 1.5 million Puerto Ricans are still … [Read more...]
Foss Provides Meals and Homes for Hundreds of First Responders in Devastated Puerto Rico
From hearty meals to comfortable sleeping quarters for first responders, Foss Maritime has been supporting the relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. Foss Maritime has been working in conjunction with U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency … [Read more...]
In Puerto Rico, Cruises Spark First Signs of a Tourism Recovery
By Nikki Ekstein (Bloomberg) -- Almost three months after Hurricane Maria battered Puerto Rico as a nearly Category 5 storm, a third of the island is still without power. Roughly two-thirds of its 45,000 small businesses suffered closures, with as many as 10,000 planning never to reopen their doors. Just 129 miles away, the British Virgin Islands has begun to shift … [Read more...]
Six Weeks After Hurricane Maria, Domestic Maritime Industry Continues to Play a Key Role in Puerto Rico’s Relief Efforts
American maritime companies are continuing to provide beefed-up shipping services to Puerto Rico to ensure essential relief and commercial cargoes can reach the island still reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Maria. More than six weeks after the storm hit, the domestic maritime industry now has 25 Jones Act-qualified vessels in regular service to the island, according to … [Read more...]
Congressional Leaders Defend the Jones Act During Hearing on Hurricane Relief and Recovery Efforts
Congressional leaders from both sides of the isle defended the Jones Act's impact on hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico during a hearing this week exploring initial lessons learned from the 2017 hurricanes and key challenges and obstacles that may remain in the way of recovery. The House Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing … [Read more...]