The Man Behind the 'Jones Act'
Senator Wesley Livsey Jones gave his name to the famous âJones Actâ governing U.S. domestic maritime trade. But what do really know about him? It turns out that he was much more than a leading merchant marine policy maker. (i)Jones had a long career in the U.S. House of Representatives before he was a Senator, was an effective legislator, an astute politician, one of the hardest working legislators of his era, and always viewed as honest and forthright. His many maritime legislative successes included the Merchant Marine ActâŠ
Captain McManus Preps to Take the Helm of Empire State VII
Captain Morgan McManus will serve as the Shipâs Master on the Empire State VII, the first in a series of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), which at press time was getting its post-sea trial finishing touches at Philly Shipyard. The project to design, build and deliver the NSMV series is one of the most exciting shipbuilding programs in the U.S. â a government shipbuilding project leveraging commercial shipbuilding efficiencies. For insights, we visited with Captain McManus to discuss the ship, itâs technology suite and its role in helping to educate a new generation of U.S.
SUNY Maritime President to Retire in 2024
RADM Michael Alfultis announced he will retire in 2024 after nearly a decade as president of SUNY Maritime College and more than 30 years in higher education.When RADM Alfultis was appointed Maritime College president in 2014, he immediately focused on two priorities for the college: the replacement of the training ship Empire State and the formal reconciliation with the Fort Schuyler Maritime Alumni Association. Within three years, a formal SUNY-approved Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Maritime College and the Maritime College Alumni Association.
To Fight Sexual Assault and Harassment, Vessel Owners and Operators Must Comply with Heightened Reporting Requirements
In response to increased awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) in the maritime industry â and following a widely reported account by a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet of sexual assault aboard a U.S.-flagged ship during her Sea Year training â Congress enacted into law the Safer Seas Act (SSA) in December 2022.Intended as a direct effort to prevent and punish SASH, the SSA, among other provisions:Requires the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to revoke the licenseâŠ
NSMV: The Model for the Future of Government Shipbuilding
At the time of publication, the first National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), the Empire State VII, is steadily advancing towards its final delivery to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and SUNY Maritime College. Letâs be clearâthis is a huge win, not only for MARAD, its vessel construction manager TOTE Services, the shipbuilder Philly Shipyard, and SUNY Maritime, but for the future of government shipbuilding.To put this milestone in its appropriate context, it is worth reviewing how we got here.
OSG Pledges $90,000 for Women at SUNY Maritime College
U.S.-based shipping company Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) announced its support for women at SUNY Maritime College with a three-year pledge totaling nearly $90,000, in an effort to make strides in reducing the gender gap in the maritime industry and create equal opportunities for all. The funding will go towards scholarships for women and a student government organization at the college, Women of Maritime, which cadets launched to build community and bring more awareness toâŠ
US Set to Blow Up Fake Warship in the South China Sea
As part of a joint military exercise with the Philippines, the U.S. Navy is slated to sink a mock warship on April 26, 2023, in the South China Sea.The live-fire drill is not a response to increased tensions with China over Taiwan, both the U.S. and the Philippines have stressed. But, either way, Beijing isnât happy â responding by holding its own staged military event involving actual warships and fighter jets deployed around Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own.The tit-for-tat war games underscore a reality that U.S.
Anchorage Launch Gets New Metal Shark-built Crew Boat
Metal Shark delivered a welded-aluminum 45 Defiant crew boat to Anchorage Launch Services Company, an Oregon-based operator providing launch, line, pilotage, and cargo services to vessels on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.Designed in-house by the Metal Shark engineering team and built at the companyâs Jeanerette, La., production facility, the 47 x 12 ft. twin-diesel waterjet-powered âTriumph VIIâ is now in service.âOur captains, crew, and passengers have all been very impressed with the capabilities of our new vessel,â said Alex Scott, COO of Anchorage Launch.
Philly Shipyard Launches First Training Ship Empire State
The first in a series of new training ships being built for the United States' state maritime academies was launched at Philly Shipyard on Saturday.The newbuild, Empire State VII, is the first of five new National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) being built under a program for the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), which owns and operates training ships for the nation's state maritime academies.The newly launched vessel is slated to undergo final outfitting, testing, commissioning and trials prior to delivery to SUNY Maritime College in 2023.
'Midshipman-X' Revealed, Files Suit Against Maersk
A U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) midshipman who shook the maritime industry last year when, under the moniker "Midshipman-X," publicly described how she was raped by her superior officer while serving as an engine cadet aboard a Maersk cargo ship, has been revealed as Hope Hicks.Hicks is one of two USMMA students being represented by Sanford Heisler Sharp and Maritime Legal Solutions, who said Tuesday they filed two related complaints in New York state court against Maersk Line, Limited alleging that company, a subsidiary of Danish shipping giant A.P.
Sanmar Shipyards Completes Record Number of Vessels in a Month
Sanmar Shipyards reports it has completed a record number of vessels within one calendar month, with six tugs and two pilot boats gaining their class certificates during January 2022.The record-breaking start to the New Year takes the total number of projects completed by Sanmar to more than 300, with 302 being completed to date.Sanmar builds tugboats at its two custom-built shipyards in Turkey. Its production capacity will be boosted further when a third yard, acquired in 2021âŠ
Valmet, VTT Tests System to Dramatically Cut Ship Exhaust Gas Emissions
Valmet reports that it has tested a first-of-a-kind scrubber and wet electrostatic precipitator combination and cut exhaust gas emissions in a marine diesel engine by up to 99%. The solution potentially could allow shipping companies to lower their particle matter and black carbon emission levels, while benefitting the environment and helping to meet tightening emission regulations.The pilot testing and configuration project was carried out together with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT).Up to dateâŠ
Fincantieri Delivers New Cruise Ship to Holland America Line
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri on has delivered a new cruise ship 'Rotterdam' to the cruise line Holland America Line, part of Carnival Corporation.This is Holland America Line's eleventh ship in the fleet. A handover ceremony took place at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Italy on the evening of July 29.As the third vessel in the Pinnacle Class series and the seventh ship to bear the name for Holland America Line, Rotterdam will carry 2,668 guests in 1,340 cabins. The new cruise shipâŠ
Survitec Wraps Hansen Protection Buy
Maritime survival equipment specialist Survitec has completed the acquisition of Hansen Protection, a provider of personal protective equipment. Ron Krisanda, Executive Chairman at Survitec, commented: "The addition of Hansen Protection, and its leading portfolio in personal protective equipment, protective rainwear, and technical textile solutions, fits perfectly within Survitec. "Our acquisition strategy is intended to broaden and deepen our offering and enhance our ability to service customers and this transaction does just that.
SPII Holdings Finalizes Acquisition of DryShips
The shareholders of the dry bulk shipping company based in Athens, Greece, DryShips, voted in favor of the proposal to authorize and approve the previously announced agreement and plan of merger with SPII Holdings.SPII, a company controlled by DryShipsâ chairman and CEO, George Economou, would acquire the outstanding shares of common stock, USD 0.01 par value, of the company that it does not already own for USD 5.25 per share in cash, without interest.In connection with the completion of the transaction, the DryShipsâ common stock will cease to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market and will be delisted.Evercore acted as financial advisor and FriedâŠ
Incat Crowther Launches 45m Cat for AZAM
Incat Crowther has announced the launch of Kilimanjaro VII, a 45m catamaran passenger ferry for AzamMarine of Tanzania, Africa. This vessel is the tenth vessel designed by Incat Crowther for the operator, and theseventh vessel built for the operator by Richardson Devine Marine.The 500-passenger, 35 knot vessel features the operatorâs trademark parallel boarding system, whereby fiveramps per side load passenger and cargo in segregated flows. VIP and Royal Class passengers board into adiscreet stair tower directly to the upper deck cabinâŠ
Turkey/Norway Diesel-Electric-Battery Ferry
With a rugged coastline and many fjords to cross, Norway has become a world leader in progressive ferry design. Turkey, with a skilled work force and broad marine experience has become a leader in ferry construction. Put the two together and you have the teamwork that results in the Basto series of RO-RO ferries.The latest in the class, Basto VII, to be launched in December of 2019, will have at its heart, four Cummins QSK50 IMO Tier III diesel-powered generator sets, two in each end and each producing 1290 kWm.
DryShips Appoints Advisors for Economou Offer
The dry bulk shipping company DryShips has appointed financial and legal advisors to help its board members consider George Economouâs non-binding takeover proposal.The Greek ship owner and operator said in media release that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, George Economou, has retained Evercore as its financial advisor and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP as its legal advisor.It also have appointed a special committee which is comprised of the independent and disinterested directors: George Kokkodis (Chair), Andreas Argyropoulos and George Demathas.The special committee is considering and evaluating the Proposal, and no decisions have been made with respect to the special committeeâs response to the proposal.
SPII Holdings Bids for DryShips
Greece-based dry bulk shipping company DryShips Inc said announced it has received a non-binding offer letter from SPII Holdings, which proposes a transaction pursuant to which the Company would be merged into a subsidiary of SPII Holdings.SPII Holdings is controlled by DryShips' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, George Economou.The board of directors of the diversified owner and operator of ocean going cargo vessels has formed a special committee consisting solely of disinterested directors to consider the proposal.As of June 13, 2019, DryShips operates a fleet of 32 vessels comprised of (i) 6 Panamax drybulk vessels; (ii) 9 Newcastlemax drybulk vesselsâŠ
Interview: Edmonds Brown, Cummins, Inc.
The May 2019 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News features a eight-page feature section on "Thought Leadership" in the marine power sector. Here we extract and present the interview with Edmonds Brown, Cummins, Inc., Commercial Marine Segment Leader.Please put in perspective and discuss the current environment and pressure to reduce emissions in the maritime industry.When I started in the marine industry, my primary focus was working to achieve certification of Cumminsâ marine engines for U.S.
DryShips Acquires Newcastlemax Drybulker
Greece-based dry bulk shipping company DryShips Inc announced that it has agreed to acquire from an entity that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by its Chairman and CEO, George Economou, one Newcastlemax drybulk carrier built in 2017, for a purchase price of approximately $50.0 million. The purchase price was based on the average fair market value of the vessel, as determined by independent third party broker valuations, and the transaction was unanimously approved by the board of the Company and a special committee of independent and disinterested directors and remains subject to satisfactory documentation, said a press releaseâŠ
Shannon Insulation Solutions for Passenger Vessels
Shannon Enterprises of W.N.Y. a designer, and maker of reusable thermal and acoustic insulation, has put in place a custom-designed insulation system for Maid of the Mist Corp.'s two vessels, Maid of the Mist VI and Maid of the Mist VII, to improve engine efficiency, safety and acoustics on board each vessel.As part of a modernization program for the boats' lighting and climate controls, Maid of the Mist's engineering team installed a new generation set - including two, 38 kW Northern Lights marine generators - for both vessels.
IF the Pats Win: Belichick to Rename His Boat?
Itâs been reported that Bill Belichick has changed the name of his boat to reflect the number of big game rings he has won.His boat â currently named âVII Ringsâ (for his seven championship-winning seasons) â stands to be changed to âVIII Ringsâ if his team comes out with the âWâ this Sunday. Discover Boating, an initiative from the recreational boating industry designed to get people out on the water, is kicking off this weekend by offering Coach Belichick a FREE paint job on his boat to update the name and design if he adds another ring to his collection.In addition to the free paint jobâŠ