Updated Model Agreement for Maritime Cooperation and Jones Act Reform
Alliance of Like-Minded Countries Maritime Freedom and Security Accord
Preamble
The
Alliance of Like-Minded Countries—comprising the United States,
Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica,
Greenland, Norway, India, Israel, and Argentina—commits to fostering freedom, prosperity, and security
through open markets, sovereign cooperation, and citizen empowerment.
Recognizing maritime trade as vital to economic liberty, this Accord
reforms restrictions on domestic shipping within member states,
particularly the U.S. Jones Act, establishes collective protections
for Alliance-flagged vessels against piracy and unlawful
interference, addresses surging demand for container ships, and
unites members under a shared Alliance flag to signal strength and
deter threats, guided by mutual trust and shared principles.
Article 1: Objectives
To liberalize maritime trade by permitting Alliance-flagged ships to operate in the domestic waters of member states, notably U.S. coastal routes, reducing costs and enhancing commerce.
To ensure the safety of Alliance vessels, particularly container ships, through coordinated defense against piracy, geopolitical disruptions, and other threats.
To uphold sovereignty by adopting mutually recognized standards for ship safety, crew training, and certification, including metric-based measurements, avoiding centralized mandates.
To meet the growing demand for container ships by scaling Alliance shipbuilding capacity, fostering economic growth and job creation.
To visibly unite Alliance ships under a shared flag, flown below national flags, signaling collective strength, rights, and responsibilities to friends and foes.
Article 2: Jones Act Reform
Domestic Trade Access:
Alliance-flagged ships, registered in member states (e.g., Canada, India, Argentina), may transport goods and passengers between ports of any member state, including U.S. routes (e.g., Miami to Seattle), without restriction, effective January 1, 2027.
Eligible ships must comply with flag-state laws and the standards outlined in Article 4.
Non-Discrimination:
Member states shall treat Alliance-flagged ships equivalently to their own for domestic trade purposes, eliminating tariffs, quotas, or preferential taxes.
Economic Integration:
This reform aims to reduce shipping costs (e.g., from $8,000-$10,000 to $3,000-$4,000 per container in U.S. trade), benefiting consumers and industries across the Alliance, from Argentine agriculture to Australian technology.
US Shipyard Modernization:
Member states shall incentivize domestic shipbuilding for Alliance routes, with the U.S. allocating $1 billion annually in subsidies (2027-2030) to modernize yards (e.g., Ingalls, Newport News) for container ship production, co-built with allies (e.g., US-India hulls), to capture 5% of the global market ($7.5 billion) by 2030.
At least 50% of crew jobs on U.S. domestic routes shall be reserved for American workers during the pilot phase to support local labor.
Article 3: Maritime Security Commitment
Collective Defense:
Member states pledge to protect Alliance-flagged vessels, especially container ships, from piracy, illegal seizures, and geopolitical threats in international and domestic waters, including high-risk areas (e.g., Gulf of Aden, Malacca Strait).
Protection includes coordinated naval patrols, intelligence sharing, and escorts by Alliance navies (e.g., U.S., UK, India), prioritizing new container fleets to meet trade demand.
Response Protocol:
A Maritime Security Council, with one representative per member state, shall convene biannually to assess threats, plan joint exercises, and ensure rapid response to incidents (e.g., 2024’s 132 piracy cases), reducing piracy losses by 20%.
Incidents involving Alliance ships trigger immediate consultation, with voluntary contributions of naval assets based on capacity (e.g., Norway’s Arctic expertise, Australia’s Indo-Pacific reach).
Economic Benefit:
Security measures aim to reduce insurance premiums by 10-20%, enhancing the competitiveness of Alliance flags over non-member flags (e.g., Panama, Liberia), supporting $500 million in annual savings for container fleets.
Article 4: Mutual Standards
Safety and Certification:
Member states agree to recognize each other’s ship safety standards, provided they meet or exceed benchmarks based on the International Maritime Organization’s SOLAS and MARPOL conventions.
For example, Canadian-built ships certified under Transport Canada are deemed equivalent to U.S. Coast Guard standards for U.S. routes.
Crew Training:
Crews must hold certifications aligned with the IMO’s STCW Convention, with mutual recognition of training programs (e.g., India’s maritime academies, UK’s Merchant Navy standards).
A voluntary Alliance Maritime Training Board may propose best practices, without imposing uniform rules.
Metric-Based Standards:
All Alliance-flagged vessels and ports shall adopt metric units (e.g., kilometers for navigation, metric tons for cargo) by January 1, 2027, aligning with global standards and facilitating U.S. maritime modernization.
A Maritime Component Guide, developed by 2026 in collaboration with ASME, shall identify interchangeable metric-imperial parts (e.g., 25mm=1-inch pipes, 11mm=5/8th bolts) to reduce shipbuilding costs by 10%.
Implementation:
A Standards Review Panel, with rotating member-state chairs, verifies compliance annually, resolving disputes through consensus to respect sovereignty.
Standards ensure safety without stifling innovation, supporting diverse shipbuilding (e.g., Norway’s advanced vessels, Argentina’s cost-effective fleets).
Article 5: Alliance Flag
Alliance Flag Requirement:
All Alliance-flagged vessels shall fly an official Alliance flag below their national registry flag, symbolizing collective rights, responsibilities, and protection under this Accord, effective January 1, 2027.
The Alliance flag reflects the shared commitment to free trade, sovereignty, and security, signaling to allies and adversaries (e.g., pirates in high-risk areas like the South Seas) the vessel’s membership in a protected trade bloc.
Design and Protocol:
The Alliance flag’s design shall be determined by a committee of member-state representatives by July 1, 2026, incorporating symbols of liberty and unity (e.g., a stylized anchor or wave).
The national flag remains primary, flown above the Alliance flag, to uphold sovereignty and reflect the vessel’s registry nation’s standards and reputation.
Strategic Impact:
The Alliance flag deters threats by signaling collective naval protection (e.g., U.S., UK, Indian navies), reducing piracy incidents by an additional 10% beyond Article 3 measures.
It fosters recognition among member states and potential members (e.g., Japan, Chile), encouraging trade and cooperation.
Article 6: Sovereignty and Cooperation
National Autonomy:
No member state cedes regulatory authority. Domestic laws (e.g., Mexico’s civil law, Australia’s common law) govern ships under their flag, with mutual recognition fostering trust.
Voluntary Alignment:
Cooperation relies on shared commitment to the Alliance’s Bill of Rights, ensuring maritime freedoms align with protections for speech, assembly, and self-defense.
Dispute Resolution:
Disputes over trade access, security obligations, or flag protocols are resolved through mediation, hosted by a neutral member state, prioritizing dialogue over binding arbitration.
Article 7: Economic and Strategic Benefits
Investment Incentives:
Member states may offer tax credits or subsidies to encourage Alliance shipbuilding and flagging, leveraging India’s $2 billion shipyard program or Argentina’s port reforms.
An Alliance Maritime Shipbuilding Initiative shall coordinate production of 500 container ships by 2030, with the U.S. contributing 200, India 150, Norway 100, funded by $5 billion in Alliance-wide tax credits ($2 billion U.S.).
Consumer Impact:
Cost savings ($10-$15 billion annually) lower prices for goods like Canadian tech, Costa Rican coffee, and U.S. manufactured products, empowering citizens.
Builds on U.S. trade agreements (e.g., 2025 UK deal, $8 billion saved) to secure $20 billion in maritime trade gains by 2030.
Geopolitical Strength:
The Accord counters external dominance (e.g., China’s 40% of global shipping) and invites like-minded nations (e.g., Japan, Chile) to join, amplifying the Alliance’s liberty-focused vision, with Alliance ships handling 20% of global trade ($3 trillion).
Article 8: Implementation and Review
Pilot Phase:
A one-year pilot (January 1, 2027–December 31, 2027) allows Canadian, Australian, and UK-flagged ships, including 10 new Alliance-built container ships, on select U.S. routes (e.g., West Coast ports), evaluating economic and security outcomes.
Results inform full rollout by 2029, with Argentina’s inclusion pending its maritime capacity (post-Milei reforms).
Review Mechanism:
An Alliance Maritime Summit, held every three years, assesses the Accord’s impact, proposing amendments by consensus.
Entry and Exit:
New members (e.g., Japan) join upon unanimous approval, adhering to standards. Withdrawal requires one year’s notice, preserving trade access during transition.
Article
9: Alignment with Alliance Principles
This Accord reflects the
Alliance’s ethos:
Free Trade: Maritime liberalization mirrors zero-tariff goods flow, boosting prosperity.
Sovereignty: Mutual standards and the Alliance flag avoid supranational control, respecting Canada’s charter, India’s pluralism, and Argentina’s reforms.
Citizen Empowerment: Secure, affordable shipping, marked by the Alliance flag, upholds economic freedom, complementing the Bill of Rights’ protections (e.g., self-defense for crews facing threats).
Signed:
[Placeholder
for signatures of member-state representatives]
[Date: April 12,
2026, hosted in Miami, USA]
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