The Maritime Cabotage Task Force, a backer of Jones Act protection for U.S. domestic waterborne commerce, has launched Twitter and Facebook pages. The new channels are being used to provide task force members, the media and the public with updates about the Jones Act - the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 - and the domestic maritime industry. "The MCTF Facebook and Twitter pages will provide timely updates on what America's Jones Act fleet is doing to maintain efficient trade and bolster homeland security," said MCTF counsel Mark Ruge. The group's Twitter link can be found at http://twitter.com/MCTF_JonesAct and on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/2dthl6m/. According to MCTF, Jones Act shipping annually generates 500,000 jobs, contributes $100bn in total economic output, adds $46bn to the value of U.S. economic output, pays out $29bn in wages and contributes $11bn in taxes.
