North Florida News

This is the dawning of the age of AI and Big Data, huge agglomerations of new and transformative energy; almost self-generating, always strengthening and pulling at the reins, seeking to break free and run, a prospect both exciting and terrifying. That image can imply a human is holding the reins. How quaint: these days, AI itself may be holding the reins.In a review of innovation in 2023 – across any industrial or economic sector, not just maritime – AI looms large, a game-changer equivalent to IBM’s programming advances in the 1940s.

JAXPORT has promoted infrastructure development leader James Bennett, P.E., to the role of chief operating officer (COO). Bennett is a licensed professional engineer with more than three decades of transportation industry experience.Bennett joined JAXPORT in 2017 as senior director of engineering and construction, responsible for the port’s marine and landside infrastructure development and engineering and construction operations. In this role, he managed the completion of JAXPORT’s major growth projects…

Crowley Maritime Corporation has promoted Alisa Praskovich to vice president of sustainability to orchestrate Crowley’s environmental, social responsibility and governance (ESG) activities. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., she reports to chief operating officer Ray Fitzgerald.Sustainability responsibilities under Praskovich include supporting Crowley’s continuing commitment to cleaner, environmentally friendly technologies and operations, such as the company’s New Energy Division…

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued the order granting authorization for siting and constructing of the proposed on-water Jacksonville liquefied natural gas (LNG) Export Facility, developer Eagle LNG Partners LLC announced.The LNG export facility and terminal, planned in Jacksonville, Florida, will have a production capacity of approximately 1.65 million LNG-gallons per day with 12 million LNG-gallons of storage plus marine- and truck-loading capabilities located on-site.“The FERC authorization for Eagle LNG’s Jacksonville LNG Export facility has been many years and countless hours in the making. As one of only a handful of greenfield LNG project proponents to obtain their FERC Order…

Eagle LNG has received a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct the Jacksonville LNG export facility.The Florida-based bulk LNG provider said that this is the final step in the environmental review process before the final Federal Authorization Decision Deadline and anticipated FERC approval of the project.“Achieving this critical milestone is a significant step forward for Eagle’s Jacksonville LNG Export Facility as we continue to advance our efforts to supply clean burning, domestic and affordable LNG for marine bunkering and small-scale LNG export to both domestic and international markets…

Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced the promotion of Tiffanny King and Jeannie Stewart to the positions of vice president of People Services. While each has different areas of focus, both will ultimately support Crowley’s mission of ensuring high-performance and employee development across the company. King and Stewart report to Carl Fox, senior vice president, corporate services, in Jacksonville, where all are based.In her new position, King has responsibility for human resources, compensation and employee health and well being.

Eagle LNG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferus Natural Gas Fuels, informed that the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted the company their draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).The draft EIS puts Eagle LNG on a clear path to FID on the Jacksonville Export Project and continues Eagle LNG’s success in using small-scale LNG to supply bunkering to the marine industry and to provide small scale LNG cargoes to markets in the Caribbean.“Our customers, and potential clients, join us in being encouraged that FERC has released the DEIS ahead of schedule. It moves us considerably closer to meeting our goal of expanding clean burning, domestic, and affordable LNG supply for marine bunkering and for small-scale LNG projects in the Caribbean.

The first cargo of nearly 11,000 gallons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) was loaded at the new Eagle LNG Partners liquefaction facility located near Jacksonville, Fla. Crowley Maritime Corporation’s LNG group loaded the cargo into an ISO tank container and delivered it over the road to the Port of Jacksonville for ocean transport to support customers in Puerto Rico. “With the successful LNG tank container loading at the Eagle LNG Partners’ Maxville Facility, Crowley can offer even more flexible services and sourcing locations to supply customers with LNG as a cleaner, safer fuel source.

An increasing number of systems on ships and at marine facilities depend on cyber technologies for routine operations. While cyber technology has improved efficiencies in the marine industry and around the world, it has also created potential vulnerabilities. For example, the towboats that move goods through the Western Rivers and along our coasts rely heavily on electronic navigation systems, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to safely transit around riverbends, capes, and shoals.

The Port St. Joe Port Authority has been issued a permit by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to allow for the dredging of the port’s navigational channel to the maximum authorized depth of 37 feet. “This is a huge hurdle that has been cleared. What a great opportunity that has presented itself for the Port of Port St. Joe,” said Florida House Representative, Halsey Beshears. “This will have far reaching economic effects for not only the Port St. The issuance of this permit represents a milestone towards the overall objective of getting the navigational channel dredged, the port authority said, adding that once dredged, the port will be well positioned for bulk cargo shipments, offering access to rail, the U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and state and U.S. highways.

Crowley Maritime Corporation recently awarded Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships to two University of North Florida (UNF) students who are also currently part-time employees with the company. UNF seniors Olivia Musselwhite and Matthew Petrone each received $2,500 towards their continued education. Leonora Bojko-Sosa and Kathy Lonetto, human resources representatives for Crowley, recognized the two at an annual reception on November 7 at the University Center on the UNF campus in Jacksonville.

U.S. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen today visited the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) to celebrate the rechristening of the Academy’s new training vessel, the Kings Pointer. They were joined by Academy leadership, as well as Senator Charles Schumer and Representatives Timothy Bishop and Steve Israel. “The new Kings Pointer is yet another example of this Administration’s commitment to ensuring first-rate training and facilities for the Academy’s midshipmen,” said Secretary Foxx.

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), a provider of architectural and engineering services to the marine industry with offices in Seattle, New Orleans and Ketchikan, announced that David Turner and Mike Wood have earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. David Turner joined Elliott Bay Design Group in August 2010 bringing over 12 years of naval architecture experience to his role. Turner is well versed in applying ABS standards and other regulatory requirements…

On April 2, 2014, Sea Star Line’s vessel El Faro and its employees participated in a joint training exercise at North Florida shipyards. The training exercise focused on evaluating agency procedures, communication plans and training programs to assure all agencies can respond in the most efficient way to emergency events and to mitigate risks and damage. “The mock training exercise was an excellent opportunity to participate in and ensure that our local emergency agencies are prepared for emergency response events,” stated Jim Wagstaff, vice president of operations for Sea Star Line, LLC.

A group of industry professionals from the commercial maritime sector gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. at 8 a.m. on February 8 to participate in Murray & Associates LLC’s 2014 Fishing Challenge. The naval architect and marine engineering group hosted the tournament for the third consecutive year as a way to gather clients and maritime business professionals for a day of fishing on Florida’s beautiful waters. In total, the tournament drew 60 participants, including representatives from…

A student team fielded by the University of North Texas (UNT) won the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) third annual Intermodal Challenge, earning national recognition for their university through IANA’s growing young professionals development program. The first place award was presented to UNT’s Curtis Pogue, Sarah McLaughlin and Chris Turner at the Intermodal Expo in Houston, Texas. Undergraduate business schools from the Universities of North Texas, Maryland and North Florida (IANA Scholarship Award recipients) as well as Auburn University competed…

Crowley Maritime Corporation has awarded six Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships: Firstly for two students at the University of North Florida (UNF), and secondly to four  students at University of Washington’s (UW) Foster School of Business. Crowley’s Jim Gillen, vice president of engineering, petroleum services, presented the scholarships to Brandon Little and Aquiles Rodriguez for their academic excellence and enrollment in UNF’s transportation and logistics program. Each student will receive $2,500 toward their tuition.

The U.S. Coast Guard has closed a portion of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Fla., after the 'USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. The RoRo vessel was being towed from its home pier in Jacksonville to the North Florida Ship Yard for normal dock and maintenance work. There were no injuries reported. Boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Mayport and other law enforcement agencies are currently enforcing a 200-yard safety zone on both sides of the bridge. Florida Department of Transportation bridge inspectors are en route to determine the extent of damage.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corp. has been recognized as one of the top three 2013 Healthiest Employers by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Crowley ranked third of all large northeast Florida companies (500+ employees), and was one of just 24 overall ranked businesses to receive this award. Crowley’s Manager of Employee Programs Katy Keene accepted the award on behalf of the company during a special awards breakfast held at the University of North Florida’s University Center.

Chris Willman to Lead Sea Star Line’s National Sales Force. Sea Star Line, LLC has announced the promotion of Chris Willman to Director of National Field Sales. Chris joined Sea Star Line in March 2005 as an inside sales representative. Since then, Chris has held several key sales positions with his most recent role being sales manager for NVOCC & FAK accounts. “Chris’ sales experience in the Puerto Rico market, combined with his expertise in sales development and sales processes, make him the right choice to lead this group. We will continue to ensure that the direction and organization of the national sales group is aligned with the company’s broader objectives.” said Bill Taylor, vice president of sales.

Employees of W&O, an international supplier of products and services to the marine industry headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., volunteered their time with the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida last week. The employees volunteered their time sorting and stocking food during the workday as part of W&O's corporate responsibility program, Time2Help. Time2Help is an initiative launched by W&O's parent company, Pon, that allows employees to dedicate 1% of their time—or two full days per year for full-time employees—to work on a community service project…

Models Project Northward Distribution Shifts Using Temperature, Estuarine Habitats as Key Factors. NOAA scientists continue to develop and improve the approaches used to understand the effect of climate change on marine fisheries along the U.S. east coast. Their latest study projects that one common coastal species found in the southeast U.S., gray snapper, will shift northwards in response to warming coastal waters. In a study published online December 20 in the journal PLOS ONE…

Jacksonville shipyard purchases a Marine Travelift 600C to compliment existing dry dock. The Commodore Point Facility at North Florida Shipyards, Inc. has been providing commercial ship repair and modernization support to customers for over 30 years. To maintain its current customer base and generate new business the shipyard invested in a Marine Travelift 600C mobile boat hoist with the assistance of federal stimulus package funds. Through the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s assistance to small shipyards program…