The report at Annex A:

1. Advises that the House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Marine Transportation discussed the Red Sea shipping threats, noting global supply chain concerns, and emphasising the US role in Operation Prosperity Guardian and the crucial role of mariners in safe global transport.
2. Notes that the Federal Maritime Commission’s February 7, 2024, hearing will address Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping impacts, with panels including shippers, carriers/ports, and security experts. There will be limited public seating but will be live streamed on YouTube.
3. Updates that the US Maritime Administration and the US Committee on the Marine Transportation System will host a Mariner Work-Life Balance Symposium on April 16, 2024, in Washington, DC, addressing the global mariner shortage with in- person and virtual panel discussion.
4. And advises that the US Senators and House Members have called on President Biden to address urgent issues in rebuilding maritime infrastructure, emphasising aging facilities, declining trade, and worker shortages. Recommendations included appointing a maritime policy coordinator and designating shipbuilding and shipping as critical infrastructure to address emerging threats, notably from China. The White House response is unknown.

ICS(24)03 -Annex A – CSA January 2024