Coast Guard Icebreaker returns from Operation Deep Freeze
The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star is scheduled to return to their homeport of Coast Guard Base Seattle at 10 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2014, following a 108-day deployment of Operation Deep Freeze 2014. Polar Star departed Seattle Dec. 3rd, 2013, and made port calls in Honolulu, Sydney, Australia, McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and Tahiti, French Polynesia. Having completed a reactivation that began four years ago, this deployment marks the first time in six years that a U.S. icebreaker has supported Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. Antarctic Program’s resupply efforts of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. In January, Polar Star departed Sydney to assist in the rescue effort of two ships, the Russian vessel Akademik Shokalsiky and the Chinese vessel Xue Long.
USCG Assists Resupply of McMurdo, Antarctica
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star successfully completed its breakout of McMurdo Science Station in Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze Wednesday. The cutter assisted by breaking a navigable shipping lane through 12 miles of ice in McMurdo Sound, encountering ice up to 10 feet in thickness. The shipping channel through the ice created by Polar Star was used by the tanker ship Maersk Peary to deliver approximately three and a half million U.S. gallons of fuel to McMurdo residents, allowing the station to remain manned and ready during the freezing winter months.
Maersk-Rickmers Performs Heavy-Lifting for U.S. Navy
Maersk-Rickmers U.S. flag heavy-lift project carrier recently lifted and moved two 100+ ton range support craft for the U.S. Navy. The largest craft weighed in at 220 metric tons; both watercraft were lifted by Maersk Texas’ powerful onboard cranes (photo). The vessels were loaded on the U.S. West Coast and traveled across the Pacific to their destinations. Maersk Texas will soon transport U.S.-manufactured power plant equipment destined for Turkey. The equipment was financed by the U.S.
US Flagged Heavy Lift Ship Makes Inaugural Homeport Debut
Maersk Line's 'Maersk Illinois' makes her first homeport call in Norfolk, Virginia. The call in Norfolk affirmed the value of the Maersk-Rickmers heavy-lift service and brought together customers and constituents who rely on and support U.S. flag shipping. In May 2012, Congress reauthorized the Export-Import BankÂ’s charter to finance American exports and in doing so upheld U.S. cargo preference laws. The reauthorization helps maintain a stable business environment for capital investments, like the acquisition of Maersk Illinois and her sister ship, Maersk Texas.
Maersk Begins Reflagging Process
Maersk Line, Limited Brings the First of Two Project Cargo Ships Under the U.S. Flag. Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) completed the reflagging under U.S. registry of the MAERSK ILLINOIS, its newest multipurpose heavy-lift vessel. The ship is one of two sister vessels that MLL acquired in September 2011 and which will sail for Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project Carrier (Maersk-Rickmers), providing breakbulk and project cargo service for shippers requiring U.S. flag service. Maersk-Rickmers was jointly formed for this purpose by MLL and Rickmers-Linie (America).
Maersk Line, Rickmers-Linie (America), Form U.S. Flag Project Cargo Partnership
Maersk Line, Limited and Rickmers-Linie (America), Inc. announced a partnership to provide breakbulk and project cargo shipping using two newly-built multi-purpose ships to be operated under the U.S. flag. The partnership brings together the complementary capabilities of the two companies to offer customers a new option for moving large and heavy cargoes worldwide. Customers seeking heavy-lift multipurpose vessels under the U.S. flag will benefit from this partnership. The new 19…
