Vessels at Port of Galveston to “Sound Off” for National Maritime Day May 22

Vessels in the Port of Galveston will join ships in harbors throughout the Western Hemisphere in sounding their horns at noon May 18-22 to commemorate National Maritime Day on May 22.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has called for the weeklong Sound Off initiative to recognize the contributions made by mariners, the maritime industry, ports and their workforces, particularly this year during the coronavirus pandemic. The national tribute has been observed annually since Congress established it in 1933.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said; “Now more than ever, we see how critical the maritime industry is to the U.S., state and local economies. Please join me in recognizing the dedication, sacrifice and professionalism of the maritime industry workforce in their efforts to minimize the spread of coronavirus while safeguarding a steady flow of goods and services while remaining healthy and safe.”

The Port of Galveston moved 4 million tons of cargo in 2019 and has an estimated annual state economic impact of $2.1 billion. Rees said that in 2020, due to the diligence of maritime workers, the port has remained open and active, setting new records in March for total vessel calls and wind cargo tonnage.

Combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere seaports in 2018 totaled nearly 4.2 billion metric tons in volume and $3.7 trillion in value, according to IHS Markit’s GTA Forecasting. Of that combined total, seaports in Central and South Americas handled 1.86 billion metric tons of cargo valued at $1.17 trillion, while North American seaports handled 2.34 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.53 trillion. 

Between May 18 and May 22, the Galveston Wharves will be spreading community awareness about the Sound Off initiative for National Maritime Day on the port’s media channels, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  The port encourages its partners and community members to use the hashtags #NationalMaritimeDay and #SoundOff to partake in the commemoration in observance of National Maritime Day.