“... we took on substantial challenges , seized opportunities and achieved important milestones in 2023 .”
CHAIRMAN ’ S MESSAGE
LEADERSHIP & IMPACT
Our industry has long been defined by our service as a pillar of the nation ’ s supply chain , creating positive impact for our economy and national security since the Founding , and demonstrating leadership and resilience in the face of challenges along the way . So it is no surprise that while 2023 saw its share of turbulence , the people of our industry once again stepped up to continue delivering that impact and keep our country moving .
Having started my own career in this industry as a deckhand and worked my way up to captain before continuing shoreside , I ’ ve seen firsthand that generating this impact takes everybody – every employee from the deckplate to the C-suite , in companies large and small from across the country . That recognition also guided AWO ’ s approach to the past year , where we sought to generate results that supported the work of everyone in our industry , because every teammate in every role is critical to our collective strength .
In that spirit , we took on substantial challenges , seized opportunities and achieved important milestones in 2023 .
■ We logged the second lowest fatality rate ever recorded by the Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership and tackled complex and challenging safety issues like sexual harassment , cannabis testing , and mariner wellness .
■ We intensified our state advocacy work , playing offense and defense from New Hampshire to Illinois to California .
■ We made significant progress in implementing the Board-approved recommendations of the CEO Sustainability Task Force and positioning our industry as a proactive partner in sustainable transportation .
■ We produced resources and sponsored educational forums to help grow our workforce amidst a persistent labor shortage .
■ And throughout these efforts , we created and seized opportunities to tell our industry ’ s powerful story to policymakers and the public in impactful , innovative ways .
“... we took on substantial challenges , seized opportunities and achieved important milestones in 2023 .”
2023 ANNUAL REPORT