MAINE DELEGATION URGES US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION TO AVOID POLICY THAT COULD HARM MAINE’S CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY

WASHINGTON, DC—Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Representatives Tom Allen and Mike Michaud, have contacted the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to urge against any future policy that could affect the number of cruise ship visitors to Maine. Current policy permits incoming passengers to be screened prior to reaching Maine's ports, allowing more time for passengers to spend in Maine's cities and towns, shopping, dining and sightseeing—activities that are of great benefit to Maine's economy. But the agency is expected to soon reconsider this policy.

In a joint letter to CBP Commissioner Robert Bonner, Members of the Delegation wrote, "We were concerned to learn recently that CBP will soon commence a review of how it clears cruise ship passengers and that the agency is considering suspending enroute inspections of passengers on-board cruise ships and other commercial vessels. Simply put, suspension of these services could have a highly detrimental effect on cruise ship operations in Maine. According to Maine port managers, enroute inspections have worked effectively for many years, and the impact of suspending these services would be devastating to states like Maine which have very limited onshore inspection facilities.

"Furthermore, most cruise ships are in port for 8 to 12 hours, and that the 2 to 4 hours to process passengers and crew threatens to make Maine's ports unattractive to the cruise lines," added the Maine delegation.

Delegation Members explained in their letter that according to a recent study, last year, cruise ships brought over 132,000 passengers to eight of Maine's ports. These passengers and crews spent nearly $31 million in direct purchases in Maine, which supported 571 jobs and paid $16 million in income in 2003.

"State officials see cruise ship visits as a growth industry which brings tourists who might not otherwise visit the state, and emphasize the local economic benefits in jobs and direct spending that will increase as the business grows," delegation Members wrote.

"We hope to work with you to resolve this issue and keep enroute inspections intact."

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