WHEREAS, the American domestic maritime industry strongly supports efforts to rebuild the Puerto Rican economy after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and is eager to assist the Commonwealth in its transition to a greater use of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
WHEREAS, as part of its recovery effort, the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has announced an initiative to convert parts or all of its power-generating facilities to the use of LNG as a primary fuel.
WHEREAS, the use of LNG as a fuel provides substantial environmental benefits to the Commonwealth and the nation, as evidenced by the use of LNG as a fuel by the world’s first LNG-powered containerships serving Puerto Rico.
WHEREAS, LNG is already used as a fuel in certain parts of the Puerto Rican economy, including supporting micro-grid operations that could be expanded.
WHEREAS, conversion to a natural gas-based economy will require significant investment into infrastructure and other upgrades by Puerto Rico’s power generating facilities.
WHEREAS, LNG may be delivered to Puerto Rico from foreign and domestic sources, including currently by U.S.-flagged vessels in specialized LNG ISO containers.
WHEREAS, current U.S. law authorizes certain foreign-built, U.S.-flag vessels to deliver LNG to Puerto Rico.
WHEREAS, American shipyards are already building specialized LNG vessels and are making substantial investments in future opportunities in the LNG sector, thereby improving the nation’s shipbuilding industrial base.
WHEREAS, the use of U.S.-flagged vessels to transport LNG to Puerto Rico can provide substantial economic, homeland and national security benefits to America, including creating seafaring jobs that are critical to military sealift capabilities.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the American domestic maritime industry pledges to work closely with officials from the Commonwealth and other interested parties and to support Puerto Rico’s objective to transition toward a natural gas-based economy using U.S.-flag vessels.
Adopted by the AMP Board on September 25, 2018
Comments are closed.