Deputy Maritime News

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the immediate designation of four new Marine Highway Projects as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). Projects in North Carolina, Alaska, and Puerto Rico will receive these designations. They can now apply for record levels of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address supply chain challenges.A Marine Highway Project is a planned service, or expansion of an existing service, on a designated Marine Highway Route.

Richard Balzano took over as CEO and executive director of the Dredging Contractors of America in December 2020. And while he says he’s “still fairly new to the [dredging] industry”, he certainly knows his way around the business, having held a number of prominent roles over the course of more than 30 years in the maritime and U.S government sectors. His resume is impressive. A combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, he retired from the U.S. Navy at the rank of Captain. He later served as the presidentially appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator for three years…

Maritime autonomous surface ship (“MASS”) technology continues to advance at a rapid pace around the globe. Although it’s not being embraced as quickly in the United States commercial market as other parts of the world, U.S. industry professionals and regulators look forward to continued development and implementation as a means to improve efficiency and safety.OpportunitiesThe U.S. Maritime Administration (“MARAD”) hosted “Achieving Critical MASS: Spotlight on the U.S. Vessel Automation Industry” July 22 and 23, 2019, encouraging discussion between U.S.

The United Seamen’s Service  announced that U.S. Secretary of Transportation, The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, will receive the 2019 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award based on her career-long commitment to the maritime industry. The other, previously announced recipients are James Given, President of the Seafarers International Union of Canada; Anil Mathur, President and CEO of Alaska Tanker Corp.; and Joseph Pyne, Chairman of the Board of the Kirby Corporation.The award will be presented at the 50th annual AOTOS gala at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on November 1, 2019.

The ceremonial keel laying for M/V George III and the cutting of the first steel plates for M/V Janet Marie - two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fueled containerships  was held t at Brownsville, TX-based Keppel AmFELS.Upon completion, both 774-foot U.S. Jones Act vessels will join Pasha Hawaii’s fleet, serving the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane.Delivery of the ‘Ohana Class vessels—named in honor of the late parents of The Pasha Group President and CEO George Pasha, IV—is expected in 2020.“Construction of the new vessels continues to progress on schedule,” said George Pasha, IV. “These LNG-powered containerships were designed to support the needs of shippers in the Hawaii trade lane, while minimizing environmental impact in the communities we serve.

Energy.It seems that energy touches every aspect of our lives from heating our homes to ensuring that fresh produce is available at grocery stores. It powers our cars and allows industry to move products around the world. The connection between energy and risk to the maritime environment has been a growing area of discussion, research and analysis. The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, within its Joint Doctrine Publication (JDOP 0-10) 5th edition UK Maritime Power, captured this issue superbly: “Fossil fuels and minerals are an important resource in the maritime environment. New deposits of oil and gas, as well as mineral wealth, are discovered under the seabed each year, and improvements in technology will facilitate future exploitation.

Consolidation of shipping lines, realignment of carriers alliances, environmental improvements in the shipping industry and achieving supply chain efficiencies were all among topics addressed during the U.S.-China Bilateral Maritime Consultations held in Los Angeles last week. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Mario Cordero co-headed the U.S. delegation to the meeting with Deputy Maritime Administrator Michael Rodriguez. The consultations are organized by the Maritime Administration and the Chinese Ministry of Transportation and take place on a regular basis.

Deputy Maritime Administrator Michael J. Rodriguez today announced that the Department of Transportation will provide $12.3 million for the Port of Hueneme Intermodal Improvement project in Port Hueneme. The project is one of 39 federally-funded transportation projects in 34 states selected to receive a total of $500 million under the Department’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2015 program. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced project selections for this round of TIGER grants on October 29. The Department received 627 eligible applications from 50 states and several U.S. territories, including Tribal governments, requesting 20 times the $500 million available for the program, or $10.1 billion for needed transportation projects.

San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Modernization project is due to receive $10 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Deputy Maritime Administrator Michael J. Rodriguez announced today. The project is one of 39 federally-funded transportation projects in 34 states selected to receive a total of $500 million under the DOT’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2015 program. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced project selections for this round of TIGER grants on October 29.

United States Maritime Administration tours Maritime Technology and Training Center site. Administrators from the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD), along with staff from United States Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, recently visited the construction site of the Maritime Technology and Training Center, where they received a glimpse of one of the region's only waterfront campuses being built specifically for mariner training and as a home to the state's first maritime transportation associate degree program. Michael Rodriguez, MARAD deputy maritime administrator; Shawn Ireland, MARAD director of Office of Ship Disposal Programs…

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) today welcomed its incoming Class of 2019, consisting of 255 plebe candidates representing 46 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. With 50 female candidates, the incoming class has the highest percentage of young women to enter the Academy in its history. Upon arrival, the future midshipmen began a rigorous, 20-day regimen of academic, military, and physical training known as Indoctrination, which will transform them from recent high school graduates into future leaders and licensed maritime officers. “The members of this incoming class represent some of our nation’s best and brightest, with almost a third having graduated in the top 10% of their class,” said Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Superintendent.

Even though Greece's new left-wing government set alarm bells ringing in Beijing when it halted the privatization of the port this week, analysts say Athens is merely posturing, reports South China Morning Post. China will remain as "privileged partner for Greece". Cosco officials in Piraeus and China are playing down concerns over the new government’s plans for the port of Piraeus. When the new Greek Government led by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras made halting the privatization of the Port of Piraeus one of its first initiatives, there were immediate concerns in China that it might take further actions that could impact the operations of Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT), which is operated under a 35-year concession by Cosco Pacific.

Mike Rodriguez, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alum, was sworn in as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD). Rodriguez has more than 35 years experience as a maritime industry professional in both the public and private sectors. He joins MARAD from the Navy’s National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office. Prior to that, he served in the Military Sealift Command and in other active duty tours in the Navy. He has also served…

Paul “Chip” Jaenichen was appointed by President Obama and sworn in as Maritime Administrator on July 25, 2014. Before his appointment, Administrator Jaenichen served as Acting Administrator beginning in June 2013. He joined the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration in July 2012 when he was appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator. A career naval officer, retiring in 2012 after serving 30 years as nuclear trained Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy, Jaenichen’s…

On June 4 2012, Deputy Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen was named Acting Maritime Administrator. With the U.S. Maritime Administration since July 2012 when he was appointed Deputy Maritime Administrator by President Obama, Jaenichen would no doubt like to be confirmed as the Administrator; sooner, rather than later. Nevertheless, he’s not letting any grass grow under his feet in the meantime. Beyond this, the affable Jaenichen has rejuvenated an arguably ineffective Marad organization that had in recent years drifted aimlessly without strong leadership. With enthusiasm and a genuine passion for the domestic maritime industry, he has once again put Marad squarely in the conversation even as the collective U.S.

Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen will close the “Safety at Sea” Seminar being hosted by North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) at the National Press Club from 2:30-6:00pm. NAMEPA’s seminar will join industry and governmental leaders as they discuss issues of the day surrounding Safety at Sea. The seminar is designed to highlight both best practices and opportunities for improvement. Immediately following the “Safety at Sea” seminar is the AMVER Awards Dinner where over 150 companies will be recognized for their participation in the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Deputy Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen visited the Port of New Orleans to tour the site. The site of planned infrastructure improvements was made possible through a US$16.7 million DOT TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant which was awarded in 2011. The 16-acre intermodal construction project will modernize and expand the port’s rail terminal, greatly enhancing cargo efficiencies. According to U.S.

The master of Crowley’s 'S.S. Wright, Capt Fred Walley, receives the 'Spirit Award' in recognition of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
. Capt Walley of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ship, was presented with the Spirit Award at the Nationals Park during a televised Major League Baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies on National Maritime Day, May 25. National Maritime Day is an annual observance that recognizes the U.S. maritime industry.

M.E.B.A. Announces Appointment of Captain Lee A. Kincaid as President and James E. Caponiti as Executive Director of the AMC. Together they bring over 60 years of Maritime and Political Experience to the American Maritime Congress. The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) and the American Maritime Congress (AMC) are pleased to announce the permaent appointment of Captain Lee A. Kincaid as President of the AMC, and James E. Caponiti as Executive Director. “I am very excited to permanently welcome Captain Kincaid as AMC President…

President George W. Bush appointed Julie A. Nelson as the Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration on October 6, 2006. Nelson took over the responsibilities of the Acting Deputy Maritime Administrator on May 1, upon the resignation of John Jamian and before the confirmation of Sean T. Connaughton as Maritime Administrator. Nelson officially joined the agency as Chief Counsel in August 2005. Nelson has extensive experience in the Maritime Industry and Admiralty Law, which gives her a solid understanding of the work done within the Maritime Administration. Nelson joins MARAD from Oceaneering International, Inc., an ocean engineering development group, where she served as General Manager and Maritime/Contracts Attorney.

Because of the change in administration, Sean T. Connaughton’s tenure as Maritime Administrator will end on January 20, 2009.  At that time, Mr. James E. Caponiti, the agency’s Assistant Administrator, will become Acting Deputy Maritime Administrator. Mr. Caponiti is a member of the federal government’s Senior Executive Service.  He was named Assistant Administrator in May 2008; prior to that, he served as the agency’s Associate Administrator for National Security.

James E. Caponiti, Acting Deputy Maritime Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation, will deliver a keynote opening address at the 6th Annual North America's Marine Highways Conference, taking place April 1 and 2 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, Florida. "Are We There Yet?" is the theme of the event, produced by The Journal of Commerce Conferences (www.joc.com/conferences). Caponiti's speech will begin at 9 a.m. on April 1. James Caponiti began his Federal career in 1973 at the Cost of Living Council. He joined the Maritime Administration in 1974 -- when it was under the Department of Commerce -- as an Economist in the Office of Subsidy Administration.

Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen met today with Port of Hueneme officials and Port customers for an industry stakeholder meeting and tour of the Port of Hueneme and Navy Base Ventura County. BMW, Global Auto Processing Services, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Chiquita, Del Monte, Yara, the ILWU and Port Stevedores participated in a strategic round table discussion focusing on partnership opportunities, marine highway trade and Port priorities moving forward. “America’s Ports truly are our economic gateway,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen.