Since its founding, AMP has led the way in telling the story of the positive impacts of America’s domestic maritime industry, including the industry’s support of nearly 650,000 American workers, as well as $154 billion in economic contributions to the nation. America’s maritime policy is based on three time-tested requirements established on common sense and the best interests of American industry and workforce. Quite simply, any vessel transporting goods or passengers within America’s shoreline must be:

• U.S.-Built
• U.S.-Owned
• U.S.-Crewed

The Jones Act is critical to the military strategy of the United States.

Our Story

AMP is the successor organization to the Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF), which was founded to counteract a misguided attempt by foreign commercial interests to eliminate America’s most venerable maritime laws for their own profit and convenience. Since its founding, AMP has led the way in telling the story of the positive impacts of America’s domestic maritime industry, including the industry’s support of more than 650,000 American workers, as well as the $150+ billion in economic contributions to the nation.

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Maritime Honors

AMP annually recognizes an individual who has displayed extraordinary dedication to and consistent support for the hard-working men and women of the American maritime industry. The most recent recipient of the Champions of Maritime Award was Representative Jenniffer González-Colón, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, in 2022. She was honored for her ardent support of the Jones Act and American Maritime as a whole.

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Cabotage Laws

The movement of cargo between two points in the United States is governed by Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. §55102). It is generally referred to as the Jones Act, in honor of its author, Senator Wesley Jones (R-WA). The Jones Act is the continuation of laws to encourage a national flag fleet and allied industries that date back to our nation’s founding. Across the world, 105 countries maintain similar cabotage laws.

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