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Originally posted by Mutiny:
We've moved overseas a few times, and usually the moves involve freight by ocean for furniture, cars, etc. I always worry about this being the fate of our stuff someday.

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Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:But having said that, I'm not completely against certain aspects of the Act being revisited, the building of ships in foreign shipyards being one of them. That'll certainly force our domestic shipyards to get more competitive. Right now, it is government regulations and unions that are frankly destroying the US Shipping industry, not the Jones Act.

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Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
Will these containers be floating around in the oceans, or sink ?

What a danger if they are floating.

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Originally posted by mark123:

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Originally posted by HuskySig:
I'm not going to shed a tear over the loss of junk Chinese products.

You've got to wonder if some of them contain humans being trafficked though.

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Originally posted by bigeinkcmo:

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Originally posted by jhe888:
Those are 30 to 45 days passages, so it isn't likely.

Transit from most ports in China to the US West Coast is about two weeks on the water. Depending on the ports of call.

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Originally posted by jigray3:
Talking to the golf pro at my club, apparently PING’s first shipment of 2021 product was in some of those containers.

There goes my new driver.

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Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
So, if your plan is to really decimate the US Shipping industry, then by all means, get rid of the Jones Act. Other countries that have rid themselves of their nation's Cabotage laws have experienced very negative consequences. Australia is a perfect example of this. Their merchant marine is now almost non-existent as a result which is quite catastrophic to a nation whose entire border is coastline.

The main gist of the Jones Act is that it prohibits foreign flagged vessels from engaging in coastwise trade within the United States, though the other elements mentioned are a big part of it too, but they also have legitimate purposes. But having said that, I'm not completely against certain aspects of the Act being revisited, the building of ships in foreign shipyards being one of them. That'll certainly force our domestic shipyards to get more competitive. Right now, it is government regulations and unions that are frankly destroying the US Shipping industry, not the Jones Act. Still, it is imperative as a nation to continue to maintain the skill and ability to build and repair our own ships. Imagine in a time of war or crisis being completely dependent on foreign nations to supply our shipping needs. That will happen most assuredly with the repeal of the Jones Act. National security is a very real issue to be considered. Assholes like John McCain who took every opportunity he could to try and repeal the Jones Act never seemed to grasp this concept.

If the Jones Act were repealed today, the US merchant marine would disappear almost overnight. Why is that a bad thing? Because every powerful nation needs a strong merchant marine. In a time of war, do you think the Navy will be able to supply and equip our military alone? Not a chance. And when it comes to ship handling, experience, and professionalism at sea, there really is no comparison between the professional mariner and the Navy sailor. That's not meant to be a knock on the Navy, they war very well, but when it comes to all around seamanship, the US Merchant Marine are second to none in the world.

I really could go on (don't even get me started on the Environmental and safety concerns associated with mostly foreign crews operating in US waters), but I finally got all the girls to bed and the house squared away, and I really need a moment to sit with my book and a bourbon before the missus returns for my own peace of mind and well-being. With that, goodnight.