AMP Highlights Dredging Industry; New President Visits Capitol Hill in Support of Jones Act

In early January, the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) highlighted the U.S. dredging industry in its commitment to maintain inland waterways and ports.

AMP, the voice of the domestic maritime industry, focused on four recent deliveries from Weeks Marine, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. and Manson Construction Company. AMP said that 700 American workers in U.S. shipyards built these vessels (three dredges and one tug) – the Magdalen, the Ellis Island, tug Douglas B. Mackie and Robert M. White. In total, the vessels represent more than $310 million in new vessel construction.

Matt Woodruff, president of AMP, also testified on January 17 at a Congressional hearing for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, to express support for the Jones Act.

Woodruff was elected the new AMP president in early January, succeeding Thomas A. Allegretti, president and CEO of The American Waterways Operators.

In addition to his role with the American Maritime Partnership, Woodruff is vice president of Public and Government Affairs for Kirby Corporation and serves as the southern region chairman of the American Waterways Operators and vice chairman of the Inland Waterways Users Board. He is a retired Commander for the U.S. Naval Reserve, where he served as an intelligence officer.

Joining Woodruff in elected leadership positions on the AMP Board of Directors are Michael Roberts of Crowley Maritime Corp., James (Jim) Weakley of Lake Carriers’ Association, and Matthew Paxton of Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA).