Theodore Roosevelt Prepares to Return to Sea
Hundreds of U.S. Navy sailors began the transition from quarantine and isolation to return to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Wednesday, as the ship prepares to return to sea after a bow-to-stern deep cleaning following a coronavirus outbreak on board. Theodore Roosevelt was in the Asia-Pacific region when its sailors began falling ill with COVID-19, forcing the aircraft carrier to eventually dock in Guam. One sailor who was infected died, and nearly 850 out of the roughly 4…
Guam Port Improvement Project Completed
The $50 million Guam Commercial Port Improvement Project, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on behalf of the Department of Defense (DOD), has been completed, transforming Guam’s strategic commercial sea port into a world-class facility ready to meet the demands of the future, MARAD announced today. “As Guam’s only commercial port, these facilities are key to unlocking a more prosperous future for the people of the territory – and the whole of the Western Pacific Region,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. U.S.
USS Ashland to the Rescue of Typhoon Soudelor Victims
Through the coordination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) will depart Guam and arrive in Saipan Aug. 8 to provide relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor, which devastated the island Aug. 2-3. Agencies including the Government of Guam, American Red Cross, Ayuda Foundation and other non-profit/non-governmental organizations have provided drinking water, bed sheets, food, generators, power lines and other electrical restoration supplies to aid in the effort. Upon arriving in Saipan, the supplies will be sent to distribution sites, shelters and schools around the island to provide the much needed supplies to local residents and government agencies.
Guam Designated 'Strategic Port'
The designation of 'Strategic Port brings with it many challenges not only for the US Coast Guard, but also for all those with a stake in port operations. For this reason each strategic port is mandated to form a Port Readiness Committee (PRC) which brings together representatives of the 10 federal agencies and local port stakeholders. The PRC was established formally this past January when stakeholders met for the first time to begin dialogue on strategic concerns associated with facilitate both defense and commercial supplies through the same port. The committee is chaired by the captain of the port and includes more than 40 local, federal, and Department of Defense agencies.
FMC Dismisses Complaint on Guam
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing the complaint brought by the Government of Guam against a liner company for allegedly charging rates that were unreasonable under the applicable law dismissed the complaint. The ALJ determined that complainant failed to demonstrate a causal link between the excess revenues earned by the liner company and the rates charged for any shipments in issue. (Source: HK Law)
