An organization representing Great Lakes ship owners and the companies that ship salt, grain iron ore, and other products would like for more infrastructure investment and possible privatization.
Stephen Brooks, the president of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, says the shipping industry would like more ice breakers to ensure winter travel even if government contract out the service to the private sector.
"Whether it is building new ships, sourcing new ships from the private sector, sourcing private sector suppliers entirely, these are all options and I think all options should be on the table," he says.
Brooks says the industry is economical and environmentally sound but it needs support.
"The federal government owns many of the ports in the system, the federal government owns the infrastructure in the entire seaway," he says "That infrastructure is 50 years old and when it was built it was built with a 50-year lifespan."
Brooks says a lot of the shipping companies have been upgrading their fleets with the purchase of more efficient vessels.
He says streamlining regulations and reducing red tape would also help.
