American Maritime Officers membership dues rates and initiation fees charged to applicants for AMO membership will not increase in 2023.

This decision was reached by AMO Executive Board consensus by the November 1 deadline established under Article V (Finances) Section (f) of the AMO Constitution, but board consideration stretched for several weeks in administrative offices and through lengthy exchange during the quarterly AMO Executive Board meetings at AMO Headquarters November 14-16.

The AMO administration has addressed practical responses to such potential challenges as persistently poor investment market performance this year, the declining hike in the day-to-day cost of life and labor and the increasing costs of business travel and vendor and contractor services.

The significant immediate financial outlay in 2023 will cover costs arising from the 2022 AMO election and from the projected first-quarter completion of AMO website and membership and job availability information system improvements and anticipated reductions in publication printing costs.

AMO has sizable cash reserves from steady, sizable monthly operating budget surpluses accumulating over the last eight years should emergency need arise, and the number of deep-sea, Great Lakes and inland waters AMO members in "good standing" with their dues obligations continues to increase.

2023 will mark an unprecedented nine years with no increase in AMO membership dues or initiation fees.

AMO membership dues remain the lowest among the three U.S. merchant marine officers' unions.