R.G. Edmonson | Mar 10, 2009 2:33PM EDT
Legislation that would exempt domestic maritime shipments from the Harbor Maintenance Tax is now on file in both houses of Congress.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., on Monday filed a bill that would exempt non-bulk cargo moving in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway from paying the HMT.
Lautenberg’s bill is a companion to one filed in January by Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., that was filed in January. Another HMT bill, sponsored by Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., also was filed in January.
Some advocates for a U.S. marine highways or short sea shipping system believe exemption from the harbor tax is necessary for them to compete with land-based freight modes.
