Cantwell Spearheads Legislation to Strengthen Blue Economy and Support Coastal Communities
Successful Maritime Blue ocean cluster serves as model for proposed nationwide effort
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation (ROI) Act of 2023, which would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and support “Ocean Innovation Clusters” to strengthen the coastal communities and blue economy of the nation.
Ocean clusters bring together key stakeholders like businesses, academia, and non-profits to address the biggest challenges facing the maritime economy.
“From protecting orcas from vessel noise, to transitioning to a carbon free future for our ports and maritime industry, Washington’s ocean cluster, called Maritime Blue, is working hard to solve complex challenges facing our economy. This bill would build on their success by creating a new grant program to fund ocean innovation clusters and grow Washington’s $30 billion maritime economy,” said Sen. Cantwell.
Maritime Blue is an “independent cluster organization,” spun out of the Washington State Department of Commerce. Examples of their 100-plus industry and public members include Salthcuk Marine, Kongsberg, Puget Sound Pilots, American Bureau of Shipping, NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Lab, American Seafoods, Washington Sea Grant, and the Washington State Department of Transportation. Through its work, Washington Maritime Blue supports maritime and ocean startups and has brought together partners for specific initiatives, such as Washington State Ferry electrification, Seattle Waterfront Decarbonization Strategy, and Joint Innovation Projects, such as the zero-emission foiling fast ferry and Quiet Sound to reduce impacts of sound on whales.
The bill would establish a process for the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Administrator of NOAA, to designate and support ocean clusters, like Washington’s Maritime Blue, as well as clusters in Alaska, Hawaii, the West Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast, Northeastern states, and in the Great Lakes. The bill would also create grants for cluster operation and administration and one-time capital investments for physical infrastructure.
The text of the Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation (ROI) Act of 2023 is available HERE.
Sen. Cantwell has been a consistent champion for Washington’s maritime economy. As chair of the Commerce Committee, she worked to include a record $2.25 billion for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
In 2022, Sen. Cantwell championed $71.4 million in PIDP funding to five ports in Washington state. Along with securing more PIDP funding, Sen. Cantwell was instrumental in passing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to strengthen maritime supply chains and protect Washington farmers and exporters from shipping companies’ unfair practices. Last December, Sen. Cantwell successfully secured major investments for Washington state’s shipyards and ports in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, including the Maritime Administration Reauthorization Act, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, and numerous provisions within the Water Resources and Development Act.
###
Next Article Previous Article
