C&C Marine completes two more towboats in series for Canal Barge
26 May

C&C Marine completes two more towboats in series for Canal Barge

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing,
(BELLE CHASSE, La.) — C&C Marine & Repair recently delivered Deborah H. Valentine and Cabby H. Boone, the second and third towboats in a four-vessel series for Canal Barge Company. The 2,520-horsepower inland vessels measure 87 feet by 34 feet and are configured with a twin-screw propulsion system powered by Mitsubishi S12R Tier 4 engines, each rated at 1,260 hp…
Read More
IMO adopts first global code for autonomous ships
26 May

IMO adopts first global code for autonomous ships

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, ,
(LONDON) — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a new International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) to support the safe integration of AI-enabled and remotely operated commercial ships into global shipping. The MASS Code sets out a comprehensive, goal-based framework to ensure that remotely controlled or autonomous ships are designed and operated to a level…
Read More
Master Boat delivers first of eight new tugs to Maritime Partners
26 May

Master Boat delivers first of eight new tugs to Maritime Partners

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing
(CODEN, Ala.) — Representatives from Master Boat Builders, alongside personnel from Maritime Partners LLC, recently gathered to christen Marauder, the first tugboat in an eight‑vessel construction program, at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf in Mobile, Ala. The ceremony celebrated a significant milestone for both companies while honoring the dedicated workforce whose craftsmanship and expertise brought the vessel to…
Read More
New Bollinger fast response cutter honors 9/11 hero
26 May

New Bollinger fast response cutter honors 9/11 hero

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News,
(NEW YORK) — Bollinger Shipyards on Friday joined senior U.S. Coast Guard officials, distinguished guests, and the family of Vincent Danz at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City for the commissioning ceremony of USCGC Vincent Danz (WPC-1162), a Sentinel-class fast response cutter (FRC). “On Sept. 11, 2001, our nation witnessed acts of extraordinary courage and…
Read More
Canal Barge repowers towboat with Mitsubishi Tier 3 engines
22 May

Canal Barge repowers towboat with Mitsubishi Tier 3 engines

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towing, ,
(COVINGTON, La.) — Canal Barge Co. has repowered the towboat Hallie M. Merrick with two Mitsubishi S12R EPA Tier 3 engines rated at 1,100 horsepower at 1,800 rpm. The project was completed at Sterling Shipyard in Port Neches, Texas, with support from Laborde Products, replacing the vessel’s original Cummins KTA38 engines and bringing the towboat in line with Canal Barge’s…
Read More
American Cruise Lines christens new riverboat in Idaho
20 May

American Cruise Lines christens new riverboat in Idaho

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
(GUILFORD, Conn.) — American Cruise Lines christened its latest modern riverboat, American Encore, on May 12 in Lewiston, Idaho. The vessel, built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md., completed sea trials in March and is now operating on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. During the voyage west, American Encore was helmed by Capt. Andrew Gillilan along…
Read More
U.S. Great Lakes shipping lost 82 days due to ice delays, trade group says
20 May

U.S. Great Lakes shipping lost 82 days due to ice delays, trade group says

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, ,
(CLEVELAND) — The numbers are in and U.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes lost 1,953 hours or 82 ship days due to inadequate icebreaking during the past winter. To put 82 days in perspective, it is about a third of the shipping season on the Great Lakes as the Soo Locks close on Jan. 15. It took 96 hours after…
Read More
Mariners, operators honored at annual CSA safety awards
20 May

Mariners, operators honored at annual CSA safety awards

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News,
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. maritime industry publicly recognized the merchant mariners responsible for safe vessel operations at the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) Annual Safety Awards Dinner in New Orleans on May 4. The event recognized 1,157 vessels with 8,075 cumulative years of accident-free operation. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Will Watson, commander, Heartland District, joined seafarers, Customs and…
Read More
Eastern Shipbuilding receives SCA’s Improvement in Safety Award
18 May

Eastern Shipbuilding receives SCA’s Improvement in Safety Award

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry News,
(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national trade association representing the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry, announced on Monday that Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has received SCA’s 2026 Improvement in Safety Award for the 2025 calendar year. The annual awards recognize shipyards for their dedication to safety, operational excellence, and accident prevention. Through proactive safety…
Read More