Merchant Marine Academy News

“Never before have we witnessed such comprehensive alignment between Republicans and Democrats, industry, and organized labor for rebuilding our great nation’s maritime industry.”Arizona Senator and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy alum Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) published an op-ed in Fox News highlighting the momentum to rebuild the U.S. declining maritime industry, which poses a serious threat to U.S. national security and the economy. With bipartisan support in Congress and overwhelming backing from maritime leaders…

Seventeen students from seven U.S. and El Salvador maritime academies and universities have been selected as the 2025 recipients of the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and dedication to their studies related to the maritime industry. The scholarship honors the legacy of Thomas B. Crowley Sr. by acknowledging excellence and investing in the next generation of maritime leaders.The Thomas B. Crowley Sr.

Columbia River Pilots is an association of independent pilots, a unique organization that uses a network of pilots and independent boats to manage a long stretch of river in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Capt. Jeremy Nielsen serves as President, Columbia River Pilots, and in addressing the challenges his organization faces, leading the list are the maritime megatrend that sees vessel size outpacing infrastructure along the river, from bridge clearance to dockage; as well as the maritime industry's legislated drive for decarbonization…

The United Seamen’s Service (USS) announced that the 56th annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards will honor three champions of American maritime: Captain Willie Barrere, National President of American Maritime Officers; Edward F. Hanley, Chief Operating Officer of Maersk Line, Limited and Vincent J. Marino, Chief Executive Officer of CMC-ITI-CCS.A Special Recognition plaque will be presented to Edward R. Morgan in honor of his extraordinary leadership as President of USS. Serving in this role for more than 20 years, Mr.

On July 4, the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), a merchant marine academy jointly operated by NYK and the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG) near Manila, Philippines, held a commencement ceremony for 80 students, the academy’s 14th batch of graduates.The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests, including Kazuya Endo, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines, and Atty. Jerome T. Pampolina, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary for Sea-based OFW Concerns.

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, congratulates the more than 1,100 graduates from America’s maritime academies who make up the Class of 2025. These graduates now join the 650,000 men and women of the American maritime workforce.The 2025 graduates hail from the seven maritime academies in the United States: the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY), State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College (Fort Schuyler…

President Donald Trump's administration is considering a proposal to create an international shipping registry in the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of efforts to enlarge the tiny commercial shipping fleet flying the American flag, according to four sources familiar with the matter.Increasing the number of U.S.-flagged vessels is important for Trump's administration because it would enhance the ability of the U.S. commercial shipping fleet to provide logistical support for the military in time of war…

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at ‘restoring American maritime dominance’ through the revival of domestic shipbuilding industry and weakening China’s grasp on the global shipping market.The Order directs the creation of a Maritime Action Plan (MAP) to revitalize U.S. maritime industries, which will provide a strategy with specific actions to restore and create sustained resiliency for the American maritime industry.Up until now, government procurement processes and over-regulation have hindered private industry’s ability to build vessels on time and on budget…

The ocean sector finds itself in a critical moment, especially as the demand to decarbonize grows. Though long-haul is still the biggest emitter in the maritime industry, the need to decarbonize smaller commercial and coastal vessels, including cruise ships, passenger ferries, platform supply vessels (PSVs), offshore service vessels (OSVs), and research ships, is on the rise. Particularly, passenger ferries are pushing into uncharted waters, increasingly being scrutinized by municipal, state, and federal regulators for their environmental impact.

On March 26, 2024, the M/V Dali, a massive Neopanamax (the terms for the size limits for ships travelling through the Panama Canal, 1201 ft. long and 168 ft. wide) container ship, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge,an incident that highlights the growing tension between U.S. maritime infrastructure and modern shipping practices. This accident is poised to create ripple effects across infrastructure, trade regulations, and even maritime law, especially in terms of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (the Jones Act).The collision serves as a stark reminder that the United States…

BMT is delighted to announce the appointment of Panagiotis (Panos) Kasionis as Marine Consultant, strengthening its presence in the marine surveys market across The Netherlands and Europe.A rising talent in the maritime industry, Panos brings a wealth of operational experience, expertise in marine inspections, and a passion for advancing maritime consultancy. His appointment underscores BMT’s commitment to delivering industry-leading marine surveying and consulting services, ensuring…

On Nov. 10, the day before Veterans Day, I had the honor of participating in a celebration of another group of veterans whose contributions as the nation’s Fourth Arm of Defense is not widely known: The Merchant Marine.The U.S. Merchant Marine emblem was added to Veterans Memorial Plaza in Anacortes in a brief ceremony attended by Xochitl Castaneda, Pacific Northwest and Alaska Gateway director of the U.S. Maritime Administration.The contribution of the Merchant Marine to our nation’s defense is a story that is not told enough.

Four students from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) – Draygan Colonese, Elizabeth Kay, Charles Lausten and Gianna Russo – have been awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships in recognition of their success and commitment to careers in the maritime industry.They were selected based on their academic achievements and performance during the cadet training periods aboard Crowley-operated or -managed vessels.Colonese, a senior from Colorado Springs, Colorado, is pursuing a degree in maritime logistics and security.

The bipartisan, bicameral bill will fuel U.S. economy, strengthen national security by responding to China’s threat over the oceans. Currently, the number of U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce is 80; China has 5,500.Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. After decades of neglect, the United States has a weakened shipbuilding capacity, a declining commercial shipping fleet that is dwarfed by China, and a diminished ability to supply the U.S. military during wartime.

VPS appointed Steve Laino to the role of Managing Director -Americas. Most recently, Laino was Global Head of Environmental Solutions with Poten & Partners/BGC. He has a strong background in shipping, having graduated fromthe US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, sailing as an officer in the US Merchant Marine as well as serving as Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserve.

A U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) cadet was airlifted to safety after suffering an injury on board a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.The U.S. Coast Guard said it medevaced the a 20-year-old female cadet who sustained an arm injury aboard the U.S. registered Maersk Ohio. USMMA cadets sail aboard commercial vessels as part of their training to gain practical, hands-on experience in the maritime industry.The ship captain requested the medevac to Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston at 5 p.m.

Crowley named Walter Tague as vice president of sales and supply for its Crowley Fuels businesses unit, which services energy logistics needs throughout Alaska. With more than 30 years of maritime industry experience specializing in supply chain management and support in the oil and gas sectors, Tague will oversee Crowley’s marketing, sales, customer relations and procurement of refined product supply for the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic markets.Since joining Crowley in 1999, Tague has served in multiple roles…

The Austal USA Board of Directors has elected Michelle Kruger as Austal USA President. She has been serving as interim president since August 2023.Kruger joined Austal USA in 2022 as the vice president of global services and support. In that role she led Austal USA’s ship repair and warranty efforts including the development of business strategy and strategic alliances. She also oversaw the stand up of Austal USA’s San Diego repair yard including the delivery of a purpose-built 9000-tonne capacity dry dock.

Founded as the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) and renamed Military Sealift Command in 1970, MSC today not only support the Navy, but we are the Department of Defense's provider of all sealift. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently interviewed Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, U.S. Navy, for insights on the service today and it’s needs to grow in the future.What makes MSC so vital to the Navy’s fleet and our military forces around the world?When we  look at the history of contested logistics in World War II…

Catherine Gianelloni sailed with the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (IOMM&P) for about 10 years after graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 2009. But in between times at sea, she would help out at the MITAGS (Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies). Operating simulators evolved into teaching opportunities, and Gianelloni took a full-time position in 2012. “Because we are the union school, I was allowed to take breaks—leave of absences—to go out and sail.

St. Johns Ship Building announced it has appointed Joe Rella as president, succeeding Jeffery Bukoski, who left the role at the close of 2023.Rella brings over four decades of U.S. Navy and commercial maritime experience to his new position at the Palatka, Fa. shipyard. He was previously president and COO at Austal USA and has held executive roles at International Marine and Industrial Applicators. Rella received his undergraduate degree in marine engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and earned an MBA from Spring Hill College.

The NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), a merchant marine academy jointly operated by NYK and the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG) near Manila, Philippines, held a commencement ceremony for 96 students, the academy’s 12th batch of graduates.In his congratulatory speech, NYK President Takaya Soga said, "NYK Line, in its 138 years of existence, has survived countless crises and adversities. I believe that your academy has prepared you to face the world outside its halls because you experienced the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeffery Bukoski, president of Palatka, Fla. shipyard St. Johns Ship Building, has been awarded the RADM Lauren S. McCready Award, which recognizes graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) who have made significant technical achievements in the marine industry or who have contributed organizational or managerial support to making such technical achievements possible.Bukoski, USMMA class of 1986, is a 35 year veteran of the U.S. marine industry, having worked at several government and commercial shipyards on the East…