Rand Logistics Chief Executive Officer Dave Foster and I will meet in South Florida tomorrow, Friday, February 25, as agreed in a side letter to the new five-year collective bargaining agreement between AMO and American Steamship Co. This agreement, effective February 8, 2022, covers engineers and mates aboard six 1,000-foot bulk carriers in the ASC Great Lakes fleet.

The primary focus of the meeting will be the 2021 agreement under which ASC bareboat chartered five smaller vessels to Grand River Navigation Co. - which has a CBA with the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots - and its harmful impact on AMO, which lost 40 engine and deck jobs on the five Class II and Class III vessels. Rand Logistics owns both American Steamship Co. and Grand River Navigation Co.

I expect civil, candid and comprehensive conversation with Foster, who has pledged pursuit of an improved, mutually rewarding relationship with AMO - the source of the world's finest U.S. Coast Guard licensed seagoing professionals for the American Steamship fleet as a profitable enterprise for at least 60 years in my direct experience.

I will keep all AMO members informed of the outcome of this important meeting.

Paul Doell
President
American Maritime Officers