Representing the Domestic Industry

The Maritime Cabotage Task Force, among the most successful organizations in the history of the industry, has accomplished much in protecting the cabotage laws since its founding in 1995. Among those accomplishments are the following:

Campaigning for The Industry

Played a key role in securing the 2000 Bush/Cheney campaign statement in support of the Jones Act, the first public position of the Bush Administration on the cabotage laws. The Bush/Cheney campaign reiterated its support in 2004.

Working with the Executive Branch

Educated the Department of Defense (DOD) on the national security role played by the domestic fleet for vessels, manpower, and infrastructure through its reports, gaining public support from DOD for cabotage laws.
Worked to block a request from the Government of Panama to alter a broad range of U.S. cabotage requirements through a free trade agreement.
Cooperated with the U.S. Maritime Administration to change the way it counts the U.S.-flag fleet, eliminating opponents' ability to distort the number of self-propelled vessels as evidence of the failure of the Jones Act.
Neutralized anti-Jones Act findings of the U.S. International Trade Commission's bi-annual reports on restraints on imported services.
Encouraged the U.S. Coast Guard to undertake a rulemaking on the issue of vessel lease financing as a major step toward closing this loophole in the ownership provision of the cabotage laws.

Whenever Congress needs reliable information about the U.S. cabotage laws, it turns to the Maritime Cabotage Task Force.

Demonstrating Organizational Strength

Established MCTF as a force to be reckoned with on issues of domestic marine transportation. Acknowledged by even its opponents as the "best organized and broadest coalition of interests in Washington.
Developed the most comprehensive resource base on the Jones Act and cabotage through both an internal resource library and a web site.
Created a positive environment for the future of the Jones Act, thereby fostering the climate necessary encourage billions of dollars in new vessel construction for operation in the Jones Act trades.
Served as an active voice in support of the U.S.-flag domestic fleet and cabotage on the Hill and in public forums across the country through numerous appearances before congressional committees and through an active, nationwide speakers bureau.
Provided a single voice of the industry on Capitol Hill and in federal intergovernmental battles.
In concert with the U.S. Maritime Coalition, stymied efforts by Australian shipbuilders to repeal the U.S. build requirement, with the result they entered into joint ventures with U.S. shipyards.

Legislative Victories

Prevented enactment of any anti-cabotage bills introduced since 1995.
Coordinated and led effort to obtain majority support for H.Con.Res 65.
Identified and successfully opposed a provision in the 1996 Coast Guard Authorization Act that would have eliminated the U.S. build requirement for lease financed vessels.
Blocked an effort to recast the national maritime policy in federal law as one encouraging U.S. owned and operated vessels only "insofar as practical", thus all but abandoning the principles of the Jones Act.
Beat back the kaolin clay industry when it aggressively sought a Jones Act waiver to move its product.
Blocked an all-out effort by North Carolina hog farmers and others to waive the Jones Act for the transport of feed grain products.
Defeated Senate legislation repealing the Passenger Vessel Services Act, prevented legislation designating Panama as a "distant foreign port," and worked to establish an acceptable system of administrative waivers for small passenger vessels.
Convinced the Administration that a waiver of the Jones Act sought by agriculture interests following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was unnecessary.

Managing Public Perception

Reversed the anti-Jones Act focus of the trade press that existed in 1995. In fact, maritime and transportation media generally now accept the Jones Act and related cabotage laws as core elements of U.S. maritime policy.
Created a positive image of the U.S.-flag domestic fleet as a growing, highly productive means of transportation through reports and associated media activity.