Maritime News – Professional Mariner

23 May

Gladding-Hearn to build CTV for Patriot Offshore

Maritime Newsshipbuilding, wind power

(SOMERSET, Mass.) — Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corp., has signed a contract to begin construction of its first crew transfer vessel (CTV) for Patriot Offshore Maritime Services LLC. The vessel will operate year-round, round-trip service from New Bedford, Mass., for 24 wind farm technicians and cargo to support Vineyard Wind’s construction, operation and maintenance of an 800-megawatt wind farm 15 miles…

20 May

SCA hails female leaders on National Maritime Day

Maritime NewsCoast Guard, shipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — Following President Biden’s proclamation for National Maritime Day, the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) on Friday released the following statement in recognition of the proclamation and recognized the historic confirmations of the first two female admirals to lead the U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration (MarAd): “National Maritime Day allows our nation to take a moment to salute…

20 May

San Diego to use bonnet to capture ship emissions

Maritime Newstechnology

(SAN DIEGO) — The Port of San Diego is moving forward with a system to control and capture cargo vessel emissions, also known as a bonnet. The bonnet will be available for use by cargo vessels that aren’t yet equipped to connect to shore power. In support of the port’s new Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS), the Board of Port…

19 May

Safety alert: Preventing marine fuel contamination

Maritime NewsCoast Guard, propulsion, Safety alert

(WASHINGTON) — A towing vessel operating in a pushing-ahead configuration experienced a loss of all propulsion while operating on the Mississippi River. The loss of propulsion occurred approximately three hours after getting underway and about 3.5 hours after receiving fuel from a shoreside facility. Fortunately, there was no significant damage to the vessel, nor injuries to crewmembers because of this…

19 May

NOAA seeking bids for two new survey vessels

Maritime Newsshipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking proposals from U.S. shipbuilders for the design and construction of new ships for the agency. The new vessels will primarily support NOAA’s coastal, continental shelf and deep ocean data collection requirements. The solicitation, which opens May 19 and closes on Aug. 16, is for a firm, fixed-price contract for…

18 May

World War II merchant mariners receive Congressional Gold Medal

Maritime NewsMerchant marine

(WASHINGTON) — The American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) on Wednesday commended the 10 veterans of the U.S. merchant marine awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service during World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress. The veterans received the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol on behalf of the approximately…

17 May

Phillips named MarAd’s first female administrator

Maritime NewsLicensing and training

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that retired Rear Adm. Ann Phillips has been confirmed and sworn in as the 20th administrator of the Maritime Administration (MarAd). Nominated by President Biden on Oct. 21, Phillips was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 10. She is the first woman to lead MarAd as administrator. “From her…

17 May

Seafarers win right to mandatory internet access

Maritime NewsLicensing and training, shipping

(LONDON) — Seafarers’ groups have won the right to mandatory social connectivity for crews – including internet access – in updates to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), but are disappointed that shipowners and governments may seek to charge for it, according to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). The MLC is an international treaty designed to protect seafarers’ rights…

17 May

Spring brings mixed bag for Great Lakes shipping

Maritime NewsCoast Guard, Icebreaking, shipping

(OTTAWA, Ontario) — U.S. Great Lakes ports reported mixed results for the start of the spring shipping season, with gains and losses heavily tied to global trading conditions and Lake Superior icebreaking resources. U.S. grain exports, steel imports, road salt and containerized goods were strong performers. “Inadequate icebreaking resources in Lake Superior had a major impact on cargo shipments out…

13 May

Edison Chouest to build plug-in SOV for Empire Wind

Maritime Newsshipbuilding, wind power

(BROOKLYN, N.Y.) — Empire Offshore Wind, a joint venture between Equinor and BP, has awarded a long-term service operations vessel charter agreement to U.S. marine transportation provider Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO). The plug-in hybrid service operations vessel (SOV) will be the first in the U.S. offshore wind sector capable of sailing partly on battery power. The vessel will accommodate up…