Troy News

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand earlier this month stood with local leaders and environmental advocates at Albany City Hall to demand that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take additional action to clean up polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) “forever chemicals” in the Hudson River.PCBs are toxic manmade chemicals that can linger in water and soil for decades. Exposure is associated with a variety of serious health conditions, including cancer.From 1947 to 1977, General Electric dumped 1.2 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson River north of Albany.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) will receive $73.77 million from the federal government to assist in building the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) project, which will provide a gateway for cargo movement on U.S. inland waterways including the Mississippi River.The U.S. Department of Transportation has alerted Congress that it intends to award this funding through its MEGA Grant Program, which will support the first phase of the overall $1.8 billion project’s construction and is in addition to significant funding commitments from private industry partners and Port NOLA.

John F. Kennedy’s famous locution, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but you can do for your country” remains the rallying call for civic action and public leadership. The message remains foundational to the success of the United States, particularly as we head into an election year that once again appears to be filled with divisiveness and vitriol. That said, before we flip the calendar, it is important to set JFK’s message aside for a moment and reflect upon what our political leadership in Washington…

On May 5, 2023, the White House announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was “taking the next step to invest $3 billion in its Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology and to help ports develop climate action plans to reduce air pollutants, improve air quality and public health in neighboring communities, and advance environmental justice.” That “next step” was the issuance of a Request for Information to inform EPA of the availability…

A very active Atlantic hurricane season so far this year has not sent storms across U.S. oil and natural gas fields in the northern Gulf of Mexico, sparing energy companies billions of dollars of losses and consumers higher fuel costs.The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season has been another in a string with above average activity producing three major hurricanes with winds above 111 mph (179 kph) out of six hurricanes among 20 named tropical storms.So far this year, only one storm, Tropical Storm Harold, on Aug.

Recent changes have opened up the Capital Construction Fund program to owners and operators of vessels on the U.S. inland waterways.Among the programs offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to promote the growth and modernization of the U.S. maritime industry, the Capital Construction Fund (CCF) program is one that has remained largely unavailable to the owners and operators of vessels on the inland waterways—until now.Created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936…

Kohler announced the appointment of Charles Hunsucker to the role of President - Kohler Power Systems reporting to Brian Melka, Group President – Energy.Hunsucker joined Kohler Co. in 2000 and has held several leadership positions of increasing responsibility within the organization. His previous appointment was General Manager – Americas & Data Centers, Power Systems.Hunsucker holds an MBA from Auburn University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Troy State University.

Despite all of the challenges that COVID-19 has wrought upon the marine industry, SAFE Boats International has managed to keep building and delivering boats to its customers. A snapshot of the last six months has seen the Bremerton, Wash. boatbuilder deliver more 30 boats, and it has a healthy backlog to keep busy for the next year and beyond. Its range of boats and customers runs from small to large, and deliveries stretch across the globe.Below are highlights of vessels SAFE…

My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay, I gazed in amazement as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) raced toward Virginia Beach, slowed, glided up the beach and into its shore base.

Global engineering and defense technologies provider Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that Xavier Beale has been appointed vice president of human resources and trades (HR&T) at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division, effective April 1. Beale succeeds Susan Jacobs, who was appointed vice president, human resources and administration at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division.In this new role at Newport News, Beale will oversee human resources administration…

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ship USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) Saturday, at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, Calif.Built by General Dynamics NASSCO, the 785-foot USS Miguel Keith is the third ESB variant of the Expeditionary Transfer Dock platform (ESD). Expeditionary Mobile Base was previously known as Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) in the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) program. ESBs are highly flexible platforms that provide logistics movement from sea to shore supporting a broad range of military operations.

Philly Shipyard announced the unexpected death of its chief financial officer, Brian Leathers, age 60. “It is with great sadness that we share the news of Brian’s passing, and our entire organization mourns his death. Brian was a well-respected colleague and friend to many. His positive energy, enthusiasm, and dynamic personality will be sorely missed,” said Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard President and CEOLeathers joined Philly Shipyard in early 2019 as the company’s strategy…

Driven by the need to organically protect maritime Task Groups from the threat of sea mines, the Royal Australian Navy is introducing a deployable Mine Counter-Measures (MCM) capability under the first phase of Project SEA 1778.The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) SEA 1778 deployable Mine Counter-Measures (MCM) capability is both a small step forward in the spiral development process and a “technological leap” into autonomy.”The RAN is looking to replace its four legacy Huon-class minehunter coastal ships (MHCs) with a new deployable MCM capability.

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has announced that it will supply 25 Kalmar Hybrid Shuttle Carriers to the Port of Virginia, a growing, deep water port on the U.S. East Coast.The $23 million (USD) order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q3 order intake, and represents the exercising of a contract option for further units that was agreed upon in 2017. Delivery of the new machines is scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2020.The new units will be delivered to Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), which is the port’s largest terminal and capable of handling the biggest vessels in the Atlantic trade. The next-generation Kalmar Hybrid Shuttle Carrier features a robust new mobile drive…

A modest event designed as a get-together for commercial workboat operators in upstate New York is now celebrating 20 years as a three-day community festival.On September 11, 1999, local resident John Callaghan had an idea to bring in some friends who ran tugs on the Hudson River and NYS Canal System for a quick one-day get together, right at the entrance to the famed Erie Canal. Callaghan, then a tug captain himself for the state canal system, brought in seven tugs and cooked several dozen hot dogs.

APM Terminals Port Elizabeth terminal ceremony and US-flagged vessel Maersk Kinloss recognize the nation’s first vessel clearance performed by United States Customs officials, on August 5th, 1789.Standing in for the two-masted sailing ship Persis, which arrived at the Port of New York on August 5th, 1789 with a load of cargo from Italy, the 6,200 TEU capacity US- flagged Maersk Line, Limited vessel, Maersk Kinloss was the focal point for a commemorative ceremony honoring 230 years of service by US Customs at America’s seaports on August 5, 2019.During the ceremony, the Captain of the Maersk Kinloss, Christopher Murray, presented in person the Application for Unlading (CBP Form #3171) for the vessel to CBP Director of Field Operations Troy Miller…

Kalmar, the provider of eco-efficient cargo handling equipment and automated terminal solutions, , has signed a deal to supply six Kalmar Zero Emission Rubber-tired Gantry cranes (RTGs) to South Florida Container Terminal, LLC.The cranes will be equipped with a busbar energy system and operator assist features like auto steering and container stack profiling, said a press statement from Kalmar, part of Cargotec.The order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q1 order intake with delivery scheduled to be completed in early 2020. This will be the first container terminal in the United States that has 100% zero-emission RTG cranes. These are also the first RTG cranes that will be installed in the Port of Miami.South Florida Container Terminal…

The Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to reports of several barges and vessels breaking away from their moorings on the Hudson River near Troy, New York, Friday morning.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York received the initial report of the situation from Rensselaer emergency dispatch.New York State Marine notified the Coast Guard that an additional six vessels were noticed adrift in the ice flows shortly before sunrise.One of the vessels is a 300-foot cruise boat, currently stuck at the Livingston Avenue railroad bridge. Two adrift barges have been secured.Coast Guard Cutter Penobscot Bay, a 140-foot ice breaker…

American transportation company Norfolk Southern has signed a deal with Kalmar, part of Cargotec, for supply of four Kalmar SmartPower rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) equipped with a suite of process automation solutions.According to a press release, the order was booked in Cargotec's 2018 Q4 order intake with delivery scheduled to be completed by the end of Q4 2019. Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 23 states, serves every major container ports in the eastern United States and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. In addition to containers, the company is also a major transporter of coal, automotive products and industrial goods.

The marine industry equipment manufacturer Kalmar is to deliver a further order of straddle carriers to Maher Terminals LLC for use at their marine container terminal located in the Port of New York and New Jersey.According to a press release from Kalmar, part of Cargotec,  the order of 26 straddle carriers was booked in Cargotec's 2018 second quarter order intake, and delivery is scheduled to take place during Q1 of 2019.Maher Terminals is one of the largest privately held, multi-user container terminal operators in the world. The company has developed North America's largest marine container terminal in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The terminal covers a total area of approximately 500 acres (200 hectares) and has an estimated capacity of 2 million TEU.

A&P Falmouth has completed the dry docking of ABC Maritime’s double hull oil and chemical tanker, Troy. Beating competition from European shipyards, A&P Falmouth carried out a comprehensive 17-day refit package during the vessel’s dry-docking last month. Work included the class intermediate survey, renewal of the main deck cargo heating pipework, extensive deck cargo washing and line replacement, the overhaul of the main engine including turbo charger, fuel gear and associated pumps, a bow thruster seal change and overhaul and a number of small steel repairs.Stuart Bartle, Chief Operating Officer of ABC Maritime said: “ABC Maritime has had a long relationship with A&P having docked the Troy in Falmouth in 2008.

The SMM 2018 scheduled to take place September 4-7, 2018, in Hamburg, Germany, is held every two years and is the traditional launching platform for a variety of commercial shipping and shipbuilding technologies. Five new marine technologies to look for in Hamburg include:Company: CM Technologies GmbHBooth: A3.204Product: New Performance Indicator to save fuelThe PREMET X measuring device presented by CM Technologies GmbH makes it possible to precisely determine the cylinder pressure at every cylinder position…

Slipstream, a 60-m Burgess motor yacht, and her crew were presented with the annual Yachts de Coeur humanitarian prize in Cannes in June 2018. The award was presented to recognize their efforts to aid the Caribbean islands and people affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Autumn 2017. The award was presented on the 11th June by Commandant Oliver Troy of the French Royal Navy, and depicts Ceres, the Roman goddess of nature and charity.The award was presented to Captains Phil Stevens and Steve Osborne and the crew of Slipstream, who in November 2017 joined forces with Eco-Mer and YachtAid Global to help collect disaster aid, including building materials, and transport them across the Atlantic to the islands that were most severely damaged by the storms.