U.S. shipping group has new name

U.S. shipping group has new name    The Maritime Cabotage Task Force has changed its name to the American Maritime Partnership (AMP).
   The trade association, which said it is the largest coalition of maritime interests in the United States, has been in operation since 1995.
   It says its new name better reflects its members focus “on the domestic maritime industry's role in promoting national, homeland and economic security.
   'A strong domestic maritime industry is critical to our national security, makes our homeland more secure, and fosters nearly 500,000 American jobs,' said James Henry, president of the Transportation Institute and chairman of the board at AMP. The Transportation Institute is affiliated with the Seafarers International union.
   'The American Maritime Partnership will continue to support policies that help ensure ample U.S. sealift capacity to defend our nation; keep America's waterways secure with strong laws and oversight of the U.S. government; and work to sustain the nearly 500,000 jobs and $100-plus billion in annual economic output that follow in the industry's wake, Henry added. “For example, every job in a domestic shipyard results in four additional jobs elsewhere in the U.S. economy.'
   The group said, “Continued growth of the domestic maritime industry hinges on continued adherence to time-tested principles, namely that domestic waterborne commerce and related activities be conducted in vessels that are U.S.-owned, U.S.-built, and U.S.-crewed.”