[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E847-E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCTION OF MAERSK Mc-KINNEY MOLLER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a great 
leader in the maritime community, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, owner of the 
A.P. Moller Group--a global transportation provider whose fleet of 
ships make it the world's largest shipping company and also the largest 
US-flag carrier. When Germany invaded Denmark in 1940, the company's 
fleet numbered 46 ships and many of those vessels were used by the 
United States and its allies during WWII. Maersk Moller and his wife 
spent the war years in the United States. After almost eight years in 
America, Maersk Moller and his father faced the daunting challenge of 
rebuilding their company. A number of ships were purchased from the 
United States government and slowly the company was rebuilt. A.P. 
Moller has made significant contributions to the U.S. economy over the 
years. The company's United States headquarters was founded in 1943, 
and in 1947 a notable affiliate--Maersk Line, Limited--was chartered in 
Delaware. Today Maersk has 10 United States corporate entities devoted 
to terminal operations, trucking, rail transportation, and third party 
logistics and it generates employment for approximately 9000 Americans. 
Maersk serves more than 30,000 US exporters and importers dedicated to 
international trade. Today A.P. Moller is the largest carrier in the 
world. It operates approximately 250 ships including container vessels, 
tankers, bulk carriers, supply ships, car carriers, and drilling rigs. 
53 of these ships fly the Stars and Stripes and are owned, operated or 
chartered by Maersk Line, Limited. It is the largest U.S. flag carriers 
serving the foreign trades of the United States. Allow me to recognize 
some other important contributions. Maersk Line, Limited ships were the 
first vessels to arrive in Desert Storm and off-load critically needed 
Marine Corps supplies and equipment. Space on Maersk commercial ships 
was provided free of charge to the U.S. government so we could load 
much needed supplies for our troops during the sustainment phase of the 
operation. Prior to Desert Storm, Maersk Line, Limited obtained a 
secret clearance ftom the Department of Defense and now has a top-
secret clearance to operate ships for the U.S. Navy. This important 
mission and valuable program continues today.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very interested in strengthening a cost effective 
U.S.-flag fleet that is dedicated to the foreign commerce of the United 
States. The Maritime Security Program (MSP) will soon have to be 
reauthorized for our nation to maintain a U.S.-flag presence. It is 
important to recognize that during a contingency, companies 
participating in MSP like Maersk Line, Limited are contractually 
obligated to the statutorily mandated Voluntary Intennodal Sealift 
Agreement (VISA). Combined, Maersk and other U.S. vessels provide the 
intennodal infrastructure that includes terminal, truck, rail and 
sealift capacity the Department of Defense (DOD) would rely on to lift 
critically important military equipment during a conflict. Without the 
MSP it would cost the taxpayers billions of dollars in DOD spending to 
replicate what MSP carriers, like Maersk, provide. A strong, 
competitive commercial U.S.-flag presence in international trade is 
therefore vitally important. It is important we recognize that in order 
to maintain a strong, reliable and available fleet of MSP vessels the 
program must understand and meet carrier operating costs. It should be 
indexed to keep abreast of inflation and we should make sure that MSP 
benefits flow to the U.S. corporate citizen providing VISA assets to 
our military. I look forward to working with my colleagues

[[Page E848]]

and improving the Maritime Security Program. Mr. Speaker, Maersk Line, 
Limited plays a critical role in both the national security interest of 
the United States and the transportation of goods in and out of the 
U.S. I am proud to recognize Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller for the services 
his company provides and for his dedicated leadership in the maritime 
arena. He is a true friend of the United States of America.

                          ____________________