Articles – Page 18 – Professional Mariner

2024 DELIVERIES

Currently, 154 active, private shipbuilders of all sizes are spread across 29 U.S. states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. The majority of shipyards are located in coastal states, but there also are active shipyards on major inland waterways such as the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and the Ohio River. In addition, there are…

2024 ON THE BOOKS

Order books are starting to fill at a slow, but better-than-expected pace for shipbuilders across the country. Leading the growth incline is the $1 billion order placed by Matson Navigation with Philly Shipyard for the construction of a trio of 3,600 TEU Aloha Class containerships. Measuring 854 feet in length, the three new Aloha Class vessels will match the length…

Pacific Far East Lines’ Pacific Bear

After World War II, PFEL purchased a number of the low-cost surplus ships, all of which were given names ending with the word “Bear.” The line operated a regular scheduled service in the transpacific trades linking San Francisco and Los Angeles with ports in the Far East including Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, Busan, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, and Manila. During the Vietnam…

Many paths lead to the sea

As the maritime transportation field continues to evolve, “the industry faces ongoing challenges, including rehabilitating an aging infrastructure, keeping pace with technology, adapting to broad organizational changes, and meeting the growing demands of a global economy amid enhanced national security threats,” according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. Earlier this year, current administrator of the agency and retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral,…

Wanted: Ship Engineers

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, marine engineers “supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.” The government agency estimates that in 2022 there were more than 8,600 individuals so employed in the U.S. with a mean annual wage of just over $100,000.…

New skills driven by new technologies

While it’s still possible to get a good-paying job in the maritime industry with only a high school education, long-term career prospects are much better with some secondary education. That was a takeaway from the most recent maritime workforce analysis commissioned by the state of Louisiana, which serves as home to more than 20 percent of the nation’s maritime workforce…

Jane McAllister now on duty at Norfolk

The tug Jane McAllister is the latest addition to McAllister Towing’s fleet. The new tractor tug was recently delivered from Washburn & Doughty and has taken up station at her homeport of Norfolk, Va. The construction of the tug was overseen by Engineering Manager, Martin Costa. Jane McAllister “will not only meet, but exceed the needs, handling the ever-increasing…

Crowley charters Tier 4 tug for POLA, POLB service

Crowley has entered into its fourth long-term charter for its newest Tier 4 ship assist tug, Artemis, with Brusco Tug & Barge. The powerful, state-of-the-art vessel “reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability while providing high performance,” according to Crowley. The 77-foot Artemis will deliver 7,000 horsepower with two Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier 4-compliant engines that meet all U.S. Environmental Protection…

Moran Towing, Master Boats, Robert Allan collaborate on new tugs

New Canaan, Ct.- headquartered Moran Towing Corporation has selected Master Boat Builders to build two next-generation harbor tugs. Developed in cooperation with Vancouver, B.C.-based naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd., the RApport 2800, 80-tons-plus bollard pull, escort tugs, will have a length of 92 ft. and breadth of 40 ft., and will be equipped with a fire-fighting monitor and Tier…

NY Waterway’s new commuter/passenger ferry

Ferry operator NY Waterway has christened Arthur E. Imperatore, a new 109-foot ferry/tour boat providing a maximum 500 passengers and commuters with service in New York Harbor. The new vessel is named in honor of the company’s late founder who founded NY Waterway in 1986 and built the company into the nation’s largest privately-owned commuter ferry service. He passed…