AWO’s Carpenter says offshore wind could be the biggest U.S. maritime opportunity “in a generation.”

Jennifer Carpenter, president and CEO, American Waterways Operators (AWO) says “Offshore wind has the potential to be the biggest new opportunity for the domestic maritime industry in a generation.” In an interview with AJOT, Carpenter said: “We need conversations and contracts with wind developers to build the vessels that are needed for this trade.” Collaboration is key: “I’ve said before … nobody is going to go out and build a vessel on spec. You can’t expect somebody to go out and do that and take a chance … AWO members are getting into this business building vessels, adapting vessels for this market. Others are chomping at the bit to do so. What we really need is to get wind developers and vessel owners together and talk turkey: What are the specs? What do you need? When do you need it?” She also warned against wind developers who might seek Jones Act waivers to bring foreign built vessels and foreign crews into U.S. waters to do offshore wind work: “There are not going to be Jones Act waivers for somebody who failed to plan and then discovered: ‘I need U.S. built. I need crew transfer vessels. I guess I need […]

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