U.S. merchant mariners and the American maritime industry are vital to the success of Military Sealift Command and will probably have expanded roles in military support operations in the future, said Vice Adm. David Brewer, commander of MSC.
The Bush administration supports the pillars of U.S. maritime policy and is committed to the development of a short sea shipping program that would expand the domestic fleet, said Maritime Administrator William Schubert.
The Maritime Cabotage Task Force has endorsed a long-awaited U.S. Coast Guard rule governing the lease financing of vessels engaged in domestic trade.
The Maritime Security Program, domestic shipping laws, and maritime service trade negotiations were among the issues addressed by the Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO March 4 and 5.
A planned container cargo hub on Puerto Rico's south shore could become the focus of a new Jones Act debate.
The civilian-manned U.S. Ready Reserve Force sealift fleet proved its value during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, according to a study released Feb. 6 by the Maritime Administration.
