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The United States has bolstered its fleet of U.S.-flagged sustainment sealift vessels and product tankers to support the Department of Defense (DoD) during times of armed conflict or national emergency.The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) in recent months has been building up fleets of commercial vessels under its Maritime Security Program (MSP) and Tanker Security Program (TSP), and on Tuesday it announced full enrollment in each.The newly selected MSP vessels Liberty Power and Tulane operate under Liberty Global Logistics, LLC of Lake Success, N.Y. and American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc.'s (ARC) shipowning component Fidelio Limited Partnership of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., respectively.

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) is advising vessel operators to exercise extra caution and safe navigation practices after multiple instances of significant GPS interference have been reported over the last year by vessels in port and underway in the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Port of Shanghai, China.The incidents have resulted in lost or inaccurate GPS signals affecting bridge navigation, GPS-based timing, and communications equipment…

The end of 2019 promises to be a busy, and potentially discordant, legislative and regulatory period for the United States maritime industry as both Congress and the Executive Branch look to take decisive action, with both positive and negative potential impacts depending on your perspective. With appropriation and authorization bills still pending, and various open regulatory actions, there are significant opportunities for maritime stakeholders to influence policy outcomes.Funding Fights Continue in CongressOn October 31…

Mixed Government Support for U.S. Shipbuilding.It has been a busy start to the 116th Congress for the U.S. shipbuilding industry, with three congressional hearings in early March focused on the industry’s role as a critical component of the U.S. national security industrial base. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, which was signed into law on February 15, contained mixed news for shipbuilding programs. Through the congressional hearings and enacted legislation, two opposing themes have emerged.

Rear Admiral Mark Buzby is the Maritime Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration.Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on August 8, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. He was commissioned in the US Navy in June 1979, is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and holds master’s degrees from the U.S.

Largest Containership Built in U.S. Will Serve Hawaii. Matson, a U.S. flag carrier in the Pacific, and Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA (Oslo: PHLY) christened the largest containership ever built in the United States in a ceremony at the Philly Shipyard on Saturday, June 30. The new vessel is named 'Daniel K. Inouye' in honor of Hawaii's late senior U.S. Senator, who was a longstanding supporter of the U.S. maritime industry and its important role in supporting Hawaii's economy. It is the first of two new ships being built for Honolulu-based Matson by Philly Shipyard at a total cost of approximately $418 million for the pair, and the first of four new vessels that Matson will put into its Hawaii service during the next two years.

Part II in a two-part series, continued from the January 2017 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News. Read Part I here. If reliance on the foreign commercial market is risky because of uncertain reliability, then what of U.S. Government ownership of a fleet of vessels? That has also been on the menu since the early 20th century. President Woodrow Wilson proposed in September 1914 that the U.S. Government acquire commercial cargo vessels. Congress disagreed, which delayed enactment of the President’s proposal until the Shipping Act, 1916. A compromise was struck to permit U.S. Government ownership as a war time measure – but all vessels so acquired had to be sold to private owners within five years of the end of the war.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point graduated 229 new Merchant Marine and Military Officers as part of its Class of 2016 commencement ceremony today. The keynote speaker, Gen. Darren W. McDew, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), gave the commencement address before a crowd of more than 2,200, including graduates, family members and representatives from the federal government, U.S. military and maritime industry. “Your craft now is leadership,” said McDew. This year’s graduates represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the three foreign countries: Republic Korea, Republic of Panama and Malaysia. Superintendent, Rear Adm. James A.

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, today released a statement in response to the sheer number of factual errors in the recent report published by the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure’s (Aii) – Jones Act: Protectionism v. Global Trade. “The publication is littered with fabrications intended to mislead policymakers and we demand a retraction of the report," said Tom Allegretti, Chairman of AMP. “It is shocking that a nonprofit organization led by former senior members of the U.S. military would produce such a factually inaccurate report and take such a myopic view of an important national security issue. They have failed to even acknowledge the fact that the U.S.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) graduated 201 new maritime leaders as part of its Class of 2013 commencement ceremony. The keynote speaker, General William M. Fraser III, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), gave the commencement address before a crowd of more than 2,000 including special guest U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, graduates, family members and representatives from the federal government, armed forces and maritime industry. “The U.S.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) today announced that Gen. William M. Fraser III, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), has been chosen as this year's commencement speaker to be held at USMMA on Monday, June 17, 2013. “The United States Merchant Marine Academy is honored to have General Fraser as our commencement speaker. He epitomizes the ideals of our Academy. He is an outstanding role-model for our graduates who are about to embark on a lifetime of service and leadership,” said Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Ph.D., superintendent.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD), has designated particular ports around the United States as “strategic seaports.”  Strategic seaports are designated because of their ability to support major force and material deployments in times of war and national emergency, based on their proximity to deploying military units and their transportation links close to those units, and varying other capabilities the DOD has deemed important…

James Henry, General Duncan McNabb and Robert Somerville Receive 2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards. United Seamen's Service 42nd award dinner held in N.Y. on October 28, 2011. The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) were presented to James L. Henry, Chairman and President of the Transportation Institute; General Duncan J. McNabb, USAF, former Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and Robert D. Somerville, Chairman of ABS (formerly the American Bureau of Shipping). The maritime industry's most prestigious awards since 1969 were presented at a gala industry dinner and dance for more than 700 people at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City.

The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to James L. Henry, Chairman and President of the Transportation Institute; General Duncan J. McNabb, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and Robert D. Somerville, Chairman of ABS (formerly the American Bureau of Shipping). The maritime industry's most prestigious awards will be presented at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on October 28, 2011. A special AOTOS recognition plaque will be presented to Captain George Quick, former President of the Association of Maryland Pilots. "We are so proud to be able to honor labor, military and service providers who represent strong leadership in the maritime industry.

Titan Salvage has safely removed the partially submerged Washington Gantry crane and other navigational hazards from Port-au-Prince, Haiti for the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). The company's work helped to re-establish port infrastructure and significantly increase the volume of marine cargo into Haiti following the devastating earthquake in January. The largest and most hazardous obstruction removed was a 300-metric ton gantry crane, which was partially submerged and listing towards the harbor at approximately 15 degrees, blocking access to the northern dock.

A Titan Salvage team is working in Haiti to remove navigational hazards, including the collapsed Washington gantry crane, in Port-au-Prince for the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), in an effort to increase the cargo throughput in the heavily damaged port. Titan’s team, led by Salvage Master Roy Dodgen and Project Manager Leo McDonough, is using Resolve Marine Services' 142-ft crane barge RMG300 to help clear debris and other navigational hazards. Additionally, Titan has…

Crowley Maritime Corporation, working under contract with the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), successfully discharged 202 20-foot containers of relief supplies across a beach in Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday marking the largest post-disaster lightering operation to date. This successful, larger scale operation follows a trial shipment of 12 containers last week. In addition to the two sailings of the Marcajama directly into Port-au-Prince, the ship also made a call in Rio Haina as did the Crowley Americas.

Crowley Maritime Corporation, working under contract with the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), successfully discharged 12 20-foot containers of relief supplies across a beach in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Jan. 22 in an experimental lightering operation. The success of this operation, which involved lifting the containers from a Crowley container ship anchored in the harbor to a smaller, shallow-draft landing vessel for transport and discharge over the beach, paves the way for container shipments directly into Port-au-Prince next week.

Matson Navigation Company, Inc.'s new containership MV Maunawili was christened Saturday, July 17 at Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (KPSI) by Ms. Maryanna G. Shaw, great grand-daughter of Samuel T. Alexander, one of the founders of Matson's parent company, Alexander and Baldwin, Inc. (A&B). The vessel is the second of a two-ship, $220 million contract with KPSI. Among those present for the ceremony will be Charles M. Stockholm, chairman of the board, A&B, Allen Doane, president and CEO, A&B, James Andrasick, president and CEO, Matson, and the event's keynote speaker, Lt.

By Lt. Col. G.P. Mirabella, U.S. In a ceremony rich in nautical tradition, Capt. Deborah A. Dombeck, Coast Guard Reserve, relinquished command of U. S. Transportation Command's Coast Guard Reserve Element to Cmdr. Jeffrey G. Anderson here Dec. "Serving here at USTRANSCOM has truly been an incredible experience," said Dombeck, a resident of Kerrville, Texas. Guests included USTRANSCOM Commander Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Navy Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, USTRANSCOM deputy commander, Coast Guard Reserve Rear Adm. John C. Acton, deputy commander for U.S. Coast Guard Mobilization and Reserve Affairs - Atlantic Area, and retired Rear Adm. Thomas J. Hill, Navy Reserve, former commander of USTRANSCOM's Joint Transportation Reserve Unit (JTRU).

The United States Transportation Command recently deployed a container security system which detects tampering and helps protect military container shipments moving from to . USTRANSCOM introduced the CommerceGuard container security system, provided by GE Security, Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions, to better protect its container shipments. Based at Scott Air Force Base, , USTRANSCOM directs and supervises execution of the military supply chain for the Department of Defense. The command required quick action to add high technology intrusion detection and tracking to containers being transported to the of in . The system provides shipment security throughout the supply chain.

Sealift Inc. of Oyster Bay, N.Y., is being awarded a $14,141,570 fixed-price requirements contract for dedicated sealift services to transport lawful cargo by U.S. flag ships between points in the Continental United States of America (CONUS) and the terminals in Antigua and Ascension Islands. This contract is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2011. Orders placed against this contract will be funded at the time the cargo is booked. This contract is a 100 percent Small Business Set Aside acquisition with three bids received. The contracting activity is United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (HTC711-09-D-0005).

Crowley Maritime Corporation, working under contract with the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), is unloading Haiti relief cargo in Rio Haina, Dominican Republicy. Fifty six of the 68 20-ft containers of water and meals-ready-to-eat (MREs) will be trucked across the border into Haiti. The remaining 12 loads aboard the container ship Macajama will be transported by water to Port-au-Prince, Haiti and be offloaded in an experimental lightering operation and delivered across a beach on Jan. 22. If successful, future shipments could be made directly to Port-au-Prince. The Crowley plan calls for the Macajama to anchor offshore near the port's damaged south pier and near the exposed beach.