Volume 89 No. 1
JANUARY 2025
“The Voice of Port Industries” @VAmaritime
ILA & USMX REACH LABOR AGREEMENT On January 8, 2025, the I n t e r n a t i o n a l L o n g s h o r e m e n’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year Master Contract. This agreement avoided a potential work stoppage scheduled for January 15, 2025. Both parties agreed to continue operating under the current contract until it has been ratified by the memberships of both the USMX and the ILA. In a joint statement, ILA and USMX emphasized that the
agreement protects current ILA jobs while facilitating the adoption of technologies aimed at modernizing East and Gulf coast ports. The modernization efforts are intended to enhance safety, efficiency, and capacity, thereby strengthening supply chains. Specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed to allow ILA and USMX members to review and approve the final document. Throughout this process Virginia’s interests have been represented by the leadership of the ILA in Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Shipping Association. The Virginia Maritime Association applauds these efforts which have kept our port operating without additional interruption and allow all parties to focus on the work of continuing to improve and grow the business in our port.
OPINION: MARITIME EDUCATION STARTS WITH LOCAL ACTION “Maritime Education Starts With Local Action” and Hampton Roads is an “Ocean of Opportunity.”
The member businesses of the Virginia Maritime Association are proud to collaborate with workforce development organizations, training providers, and educational institutions—starting at the K-12 level—to grow and strengthen our talent pool. Together, we are ensuring our youth see the many prospects for a bright future in the maritime industry. This aligns with the impactful insights highlighted in Benjamin Miner’s Op-Ed, published in The Maritime Executive. The article underscores the importance of local initiatives in strengthening the maritime workforce and fostering the next generation of industry leaders. You can find the full Op-Ed below. Over 400 years ago, Jamestown was founded, chosen for its deep waters and defensible position—an ideal seaport. Today, our region thrives as a maritime hub, home to commercial, private, and military vessels that benefit from our central location, extensive waterways, and the bounty of the ocean.
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Photo: Military Sealift Command
The Problem: A Decline in Maritime Workforce Despite this rich maritime history, our seafaring future faces significant challenges. Fewer young people are entering the maritime industry as high school students and young adults seek careers in other fields. Continue Reading on Page 4
h 2025 General Assembly (4)
h Jeremy Bridges Honored (7)
h Upcoming VMA Events (2)
h Article Submission Guidelines (6)
h Association in Action (8)
h SCTI Committee (3)
h Port Statistics (7)
h New Members (9)
1