US SHIPPERS lobby, the National Industrial Transportation League, has appointed a Department of Transportation official as its next president. Bruce Carlton joins NITL from the Maritime Administration of the DOT where he is responsible for international activities, policy development and implementation, legislation, economic analysis and strategic planning. His appointment is effective June 1. Mr Carlton succeeds interim president Annette Sandberg, who has served as the head of the organisation since January. In his 30-year career, Mr Carlton negotiated bilateral agreements with China, Russia, Brazil, Vietnam, Japan and Ukraine. He led efforts in the DOT to enact the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and in negotiation of the new UNCITRAL convention on cargo liability.