The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has released a new briefing emphasizing that strong domestic maritime policies are essential for national security. The report stresses that national flag shipping and cabotage – reserving domestic maritime trade for a country’s own citizens are key to maintaining supply chain resilience.
Cabotage Policies Strengthen National Fleet and Workforce
The ITF briefing draws on examples from Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the USA to illustrate the benefits of cabotage. According to Seafarers’ Rights International, 105 countries, or approximately 85% of the world, now have cabotage laws, up from 91 in 2018.
Chris Given, President of the Seafarers’ International Union of Canada, noted that cabotage supports fair competition, ensures a skilled workforce, and creates thousands of jobs. “It is in our national interest to transport goods and people without reliance on non-national carriers or crews,” he said.
National Fleets Ensure Resilience During Crises
The briefing highlights the need for national fleets during emergencies or conflicts. The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated how reliance on foreign carriers exacerbated supply chain disruptions due to delays and fluctuating freight rates. David Heindel, President of the Seafarers’ International Union USA, emphasized that policies such as the Jones Act in the US and the Coasting Trade Act in Canada safeguard national fleet capacity, enabling countries to operate autonomously in crises.
The ITF recommends that governments recognize cabotage and national fleets as critical to national security, ensure that vital cargoes like fuel, food, and medical supplies are transportable by national ships, and maintain sufficient domestic tonnage and trained seafarers. NATO members are also encouraged to strengthen their merchant navies.
The ITF briefing underscores that domestic maritime policies are more than trade regulations—they are a strategic tool for national security. By prioritizing cabotage and investing in national fleets and crews, countries can ensure resilience, autonomy, and continuity of essential maritime operations in times of crisis.
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Source: INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS FEDERATION
