North Atlantic Treaty Organization News

Canada's understaffed and resource-stretched navy is in "a critical state" and might not be able to carry out its basic duties next year, the top admiral said in a YouTube video released this week.The comments by Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee are an unusually blunt expression of unhappiness from the military over the state of the armed forces. Canada only spends about 1.3% of its annual gross domestic product on defense, much less than the North Atlantic Treaty Organization target of 2%.In the video…

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that other countries, including China and Japan, should protect their own oil tankers in the Middle East."So why are we protecting the shipping lanes for other countries (many years) for zero compensation," Trump said on Twitter. "All of these countries should be protecting their own ships on what has always been a dangerous journey."Trump made the comments amid an escalation in tensions with Iran, as Washington has blamed Tehran for attacks on two oil tankers, owned by Japan and Norway, in the Strait of Hormuz and the downing of a U.S.

ABS has updated its Guide for Building and Classing International Naval Ships (INS Guide), expanding its guidance to strengthen safety and protection against a range of threats.“ABS is a world leader in naval classification and our 2019 INS Guide takes this to the next level,” said ABS Senior Vice President for Global Government, James Watson. “Naval vessels face an increasingly sophisticated range of threats and the ABS guidance is evolving to keep pace with the challenges they face, supporting more reliable and mission-ready fleets.”The Guide features new sections on Mission Threats Protection which consist of new notations to demonstrate a vessel meets the Allied Naval Engineering Publication (ANEP) 77 standard…

Poland's desire to cut natural gas imports from Russia has led to an "understanding" with the United States to work toward a deal to export liquefied natural gas to its new Baltic Sea terminal, the country's deputy prime minister said on Wednesday. Mateusz Morawiecki, who is also the minister of economic development and finance, said in an interview that discussions with new U.S. "The word agreement is probably premature. Understanding? Absolutely," Morawiecki said as he wrapped up a three-day U.S. visit with stops in Washington, Boston and New York. Poland's liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Baltic Sea was completed in 2015 and opened last year. It has an annual capacity of 5 billion cubic meters, which the government wants to double in the next few years, Morawiecki said.

A meeting in Singapore (11-12 January) has seen African and Asian countries join efforts to promote greater networking and communications across anti-piracy contact points in the two continents. Speaking at the meeting, International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Head of Maritime Security, Javier Yasnikouski, commended the initiative, saying that the efforts contribute directly to IMO’s work to raise awareness of maritime security issues that have an impact on international trade and the welfare of seafarers; and encourage a co-operative approach amongst IMO Member States and other partner organizations. The event was organized by the…

The head of Europe's police agency said it would "look again" at the largest migrant shipwreck in the Mediterranean this year after an investigation by Reuters and BBC Newsnight exposed a gap in the response by law enforcement. The Reuters investigation into an incident on April 9, in which an estimated 500 people drowned, raised "uncomfortable" issues, Wainwright said. It found that no official body, national or international, has held anyone to account for the deaths or even opened an inquiry into the shipwreck. Only 37 people survived when an Egyptian trawler capsized as its crew of smugglers loaded more migrants on board from a smaller feeder boat.

Just two weeks ago, the world watched as the first commercial vessel, M/V COSCO SHIPPING PANAMA, successfully navigated the Panama Canal’s new expanded locks. The inaugural event was broadcast live to a worldwide audience as the Panamanians in attendance cheered and waved flags in celebration of their country’s newest engineering marvel. Along with numerous heads of state and with representatives from many nations, I had the opportunity to attend the ceremony to congratulate the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the citizens of Panama on a successful expansion.

When I visit Rhode Island, one of the first things I notice its extensive water resources available for tourism, sports and commerce not to mention the ability to move people from one place to another. Next, I think about the dynamic men and women working on and near the water in the maritime industries and businesses including ship construction and repair that support the State’s long-term economic prosperity. Boasting over 400 miles of coastline, it’s easy to see why maritime is a central part of the “Ocean State’s” heritage as well as the key to its economic future.

Britain is doubling its naval deployments to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in a move aimed a showing enemies that "we are ready to respond to any threat", the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced. Britain will play a bigger role in NATO maritime exercises and activities in 2016, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The UK will reportedly send five extra ships to the Baltic and additional troops to be stationed on a rotational basis in six countries bordering Russia. A decision on the number of troops is expected to be taken at the NATO summit in the Polish capital, Warsaw, in the summer. "Increasing our Nato deployments sends a strong message to our enemies that we are ready to respond to any threat…

A Russian military surveillance aircraft skimmed above four North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) warships in the Baltic Sea earlier this week, CNN is reporting. According to the television channel, the incident involving four NATO warships, including US destroyer Jason Dunham, occurred on Thursday. One British, one French and one German vessel were also part of the group. According to reports, the Russian military plane flew above the decks of one of the four NATO vessels at an altitude of just 500 feet. "We are not calling this safe and professional. We are calling it routine, but we are on the edge of being very uncomfortable," an unnamed US Defense Department official was quoted as saying.

Poland is planning to get advanced cruise missiles for its submarines, the country’s defense minister has said, implying that the NATO member state is taking precautionary measures against a rising Russian threat, says a report in AP. Tomasz Siemoniak said that he has asked the United States about the availability of Raytheon's Tomahawk cruise missiles, an advanced system which Poland needs to equip its submarines with by 2030. “Last year, I decided that Polish vessels should be able (to launch cruise missiles) and we are speaking to all those able to deliver this kind of weapon, including the Americans,” Siemoniak said, adding that the procedures to initiate the submarine tender could be launched this year.

NOAA officials announced today the World Magnetic Model (WMM), a representation of Earth’s large-scale magnetic field and an indispensable complement to GPS devices used by NATO, the United States and United Kingdom militaries, as well as civil applications ranging from mineral exploration to smartphone apps, has been updated. Changes in the Earth's outer core trigger unpredictable changes in its magnetic field, an invisible force that extends from Earth's interior to where it meets a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun.

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…

Life Cycle Engineering, Inc. (LCE) has announced that Edward S. Godfrey has joined Life Cycle Engineering as vice president of business development. Godfrey will be responsible for partnering with Department of Defense (DoD) customers and other government organizations to establish engineering and technical solutions that support the warfighter and DoD mission. Godfrey has over 36 years of civilian service leading large, diversified engineering and corporate operations organizations within the Department of the Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

This week, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Captain Paul Nathan Jaenichen, Sr., USN (Ret) as Administrator of the Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. Jaenichen has been Acting Administrator since David Matsuda’s departure. Captain Paul Nathan Jaenichen, Sr., USN (Ret), currently serves as the Acting Administrator and as the Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the Department of Transportation. Captain Jaenichen was a career naval officer…

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…

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) reported that a Canadian warship intercepted a suspected pirate skiff in the Gulf of Aden. The skiff was spotted loitering beside the International Recommended Transit Corridor. The skiff had no equipment on board showing that the Somali occupants were either fishermen or legitimate merchants. (1/28/10). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

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.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a $16m contract from the U.S. Navy for production of five additional AN/UPX-24(V) interrogator sets for the U.S. Navy and the Australian Navy. The AN/UPX-24(V) is a shipboard identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) processor system that is used to identify aircraft or ships equipped with an IFF transponder. The system provides target data to the ship's command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) system and generates interrogation commands in response to requests for priority target identification. The AN/UPX-24(V) accepts interrogation and control commands and provides target reports to a shipboard weapon system, such as Aegis or the Naval Tactical Data System.

From Commander, U.S. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR)/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa Guidance for 2008 was released Jan. 8, by Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe. Fitzgerald's vision for naval forces in Europe and Africa centers on achieving excellence, continuing to build a creative, diverse and professional team, and making U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) the assignment choice in the U.S. Navy. "(We will) conduct the full range of maritime operations in theater security cooperation in concert with coalition, joint, inter-agency and other partners in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa," he wrote. In the document, Fitzgerald defines his operational objectives and strategic imperatives.

The South Korean Navy's 1,300-ton submarine Lee Eokgi is participating in a multinational naval exercise designed to promote cooperation and interoperability in the submarine rescue arena in Asian waters, Navy officials said. The Pacific Reach 2007, held in the waters off the HMAS Stirling Naval base in Western Australia from Nov. 26 to Dec. 7, brings nine Asia-Pacific naval forces together to improve submarine rescue capabilities and make them familiar with each other's submarine rescue equipment. The drill is also aimed at developing new submarine rescue techniques. Other participating nations are the United States, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, China and Malaysia.

The fourth ship in the Navy's history named in honor of Rear Adm. William T. Sampson, USS Sampson (DDG 102), was commissioned Nov. 3 at Massport's Black Falcon Cruise Ship Terminal with more than a thousand spectators in attendance braving the wind and rain. The new Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, built at the Bath Iron Works in Maine, was the first ship in five years commissioned in Boston. Sampson's last assignment in the Navy was commander of the Boston Navy Yard, and all four destroyers named in his honor have been commissioned in this historic harbor. Sampson's commissioning officially began with the traditional 19-gun salute by the oldest field artillery regiment in the nation, 1-101st Field Artillery Battalion, Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen visits with side boys after being piped aboard USS Monterey (CG 61) at Naval Station Norfolk. Mullen was joined by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Joe R. Campa Jr. Together, they visited USS Wasp (LHD 1) and held two all hands calls at the base theater. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Michael G. Mullen, accompanied by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa Jr., addressed approximately 350 Sailors aboard USS Monterey (CG 61) on May 1. Monterey recently returned to Norfolk after six months of operating in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.