A collaboration between the maritime industry and one of the world’s leading science and technology universities aims to develop new technology to lower emissions in global shipping. The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and several leading players in the maritime industry have joined an initiative with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to “address critical gaps in the modernization of the…
The Maritime Administration’s (MarAd) Office of the Administrator, which has been vacant since mid-January, may soon have a new occupant. In late March, President Trump nominated Brent Droste Sadler, a 26-year U.S. Navy veteran, former submariner and author, to head MarAd. Sadler’s nomination came with relatively little fanfare compared to other government nominees. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology — which oversees the…
Shortly before inauguration day, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released a report stating that China’s targeted dominance in maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors was “unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and is therefore ‘actionable.’” The USTR said the U.S. should impose sanctions on China for violations of existing trade agreements that burden and restrict American commerce. The…
New York’s waterways combines navigation data with scientific observations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have collaborated to create the Hudson River Estuary Physical Oceanographic Real-time System (PORTS). NOAA’s web products will deliver “real-time oceanographic and meteorological observations that can improve maritime safety and inform coastal resource management in the region,” NOAA…
Gladding-Hearn has delivered another vessel to the Pilots’ Association of the Bay and River Delaware. Pennsylvania was officially handed over to the Delaware River and Bay pilots — one of the oldest state pilot organizations in the nation — on Jan. 10. It’s the association’s fourth Chesapeake-class launch and 11th pilot boat built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard since 1957. “With a deep-V hull designed by…
Bellingham, Wash.-based All American Marine (AAM) has been contracted to design and construct a 108-foot, 350-passenger hybrid vessel for use in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif. Harbor Breeze Cruises will use the new hybrid vessel for harbor tours, whale watch cruises and dinner events. “This new demonstration project will highlight the latest technological and commercially available systems in the maritime industry,” AAM said in…
Derecktor Shipyards recently launched two purpose-built hybrid-electric passenger ferries for the Chatham Area Transit (CAT) to serve commuters in Savannah, Ga. The 65-foot, 149-passenger Juliette Gordon Low II and Susie King Taylor II will operate on short, continuous routes between three key landings in Savannah: City Hall Landing, Trade Center Landing and Waving Girl Landing. The two new vessels, or “Belles,” brings the Savannah Belles Ferry…
Portland, Ore.-based Shaver Transportation, the oldest family-owned and operated tugboat and barge company on the West Coast, announced a new vessel to their current 17-tug fleet serving the Pacific Northwest. Diversified Marine, in partnership with Gunderson Marine & Iron, is building Shaver’s Heather S, a 79-by-40-foot azimuth stern drive (ASD), 7,000-horsepower, Robert Allan-designed tug. The new vessel is due for…
A recent report from a global transport union said that cases of seafarer abandonment increased by 87% between 2023 and ‘24. The vast majority of incidents occurred on flag-of-convenience vessels and smaller shipping companies and did not typically affect U.S. mariners, though the abandonment trend exposes blind spots and broader failures in international maritime law. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)…
The next ship in a series of new national security multi-mission vessels (NSMVs) destined for American maritime academies was launched at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Penn., in late January. Training vessel Lone Star State will be operated by Texas A&M Maritime Academy and is slated for delivery late this year. Lone Star State is the fourth of five NSMVs ordered by the U.S. Maritime Administration…