Tag: US MARAD

Maritime Administration Report Comparing U.S. and Foreign-Flag Operating Costs Statement by: American Maritime Officers; International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots; Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association; and Seafarers International UnionOn Maritime Administration Report Comparing U.S. and Foreign-Flag Operating CostsThe U.S. Maritime Administration recently released a highly contentious study of American-flag shipping without any input whatsoever from maritime labor. This inexplicable decision guaranteed that the report would not contain the information that Congress and the Administration would need to develop and implement meaningful maritime policy that strengthens, not weakens, the U.S.-flag merchant marine, provides jobs for American, not foreign, maritime workers, and bolsters, not diminishes, the economic, military and homeland security of the United States. The administrator who approved the report, David Matsuda, should be held accountable.The Maritime Administration, more than a year ago, was tasked by Congress with identifying ways to boost American-flag shipping. Instead, the agency accepted a report based on incomplete information whose main conclusion - that in the deep-sea commercial sector, it often costs more to use U.S.-flag ships - isn't news to anyone. The fact that MarAd chose to exclude a significant segment of the maritime industry from this process, and accepted a report that includes possible ...

Latest techniques and equipment being used today The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Ship Operations Cooperative Program will conduct an anti-piracy technology and training demonstration aboard a MARAD vessel in Baltimore.The demonstration will include some of the latest techniques and equipment being used today, and provides the U.S. shipping industry, labor and government agencies an opportunity to examine and gauge the tools and technology available to reduce the risks associated with piracy.All maritime industry and labor representatives are invited to attend. Registration information is available at http://www.socp.usSource: MARAD

Yard expansion and technology upgrades The Port Authority of Guam Board of Directors has written to MARAD officials informing them of their desire to continue with original plans to focus the Modernization on the uplands portion of the program including yard expansion and technology upgrades."We believe by moving forward with this predominantly uplands Phase 1-A program, while simultaneously pursuing limited stabilization measures at Berths F3, F4 and F6, we will accomplish affordable cargo handling capacity improvement, set the stage for modernization, and achieve limited sustainability improvements for both the uplands and waterfront structures," Port Board Chairman Daniel J. Tydingco noted in his letter to MARAD Administrator David T. Matsuda.After months of meetings that included Port officials, MARAD, the Port Users Group and other stakeholders, all parties agreed upon a Scope of Work (SOW) that focused on the uplands work. However, MARAD officials recently notified the Port that they would like for the wharves to be a focus of this program and that the Port's Modernization Program would be adjusted to reflect the changes.That announcement was met with concern from Port Oversight Chairman Senator Tom Ada who encouraged MARAD to take a further look at the report conducted on the wharves ...

MARAD provided $1.2 million The Maritime Administration, along with the Maritime Environmental Resource Center and Maryland Port Administration, has dedicated a new facility to study the effectiveness of technology to treat invasive species in ballast water.The Mobile Test Platform is a retrofitted barge that will allow ballast water treatment systems to be evaluated in a natural setting at different locations in the Chesapeake Bay region.MARAD provided $1.2 million to help develop the new facility, which is able to test according to both IMO and US EPA Environmental Technology Verification protocols.Source: MARAD

These new vessels will begin operating in the Gulf of Mexico The Maritime Administration​ has approved a $346,129,000 Title XI guarantee to Vessel Management Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crowley Holdings, Inc., for the construction of three 330,000 barrel double hull tug/barge units. VT Halter Marine, Inc. in Gulfport, Mississippi is constructing the barges and Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Washington has been retained to build the tugs.The Title XI Loan Guarantee program provides funding to promote the growth and modernization of U.S. shipyards and the U.S. merchant marine.VT Halter Marine has a separate contract with Vessel Management Services to design and build three 330,000-barrel, 750 series ATB barges.These new vessels, which will begin operating in the Gulf of Mexico starting in late 2011, will redefine the ATM industry. Designed to carry 330,000 barrels of refined product, with a double wall hull construction in compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, they provide a combination of carrying capacity, seaworthiness and speed unmatched by any class of ATB.-Twin Screw 16, 320 hp tug with Intercon notch connection-Redundant engine rooms in accordance with ABS requirements-Redundant steering system with oversize rudders for maximum handling capabilities-Approximate sea speed 15 knots-Meets full SOLAS ...

After earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an advisory reminding mariners that, subsequent to the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, a debris field formed in the North Pacific Ocean. This debris field may have dispersed over a broad area between Japan and the US West Coast. Mariners transiting these waters should remain vigilant and should report significant debris sightings. The content of this advisory is shown below:1. THIS MARAD ADVISORY PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO VESSELS TRANSITING THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN FROM JAPAN TO THE U.S. WEST COAST.2. THIS ADVISORY WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE MARAD WEB SITE AT WWW.MARAD.DOT.GOV.3. THE 9.0 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE THAT OCCURRED MARCH 11, 2011 OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU JAPAN RESULTED IN A DEBRIS FIELD IN THE NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN.4. POSSIBLE MARINE DEBRIS TYPES INCLUDE DERELICT VESSELS, FISHING NETS AND FLOATS, LUMBER, CARGO CONTAINERS, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS. BECAUSE DIFFERENT DEBRIS TYPES MOVE WITH CURRENTS OR WINDS DIFFERENTLY, THE DEBRIS MAY BE DISPERSED OVER A VERY BROAD AREA BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE U.S. WEST COAST. SOME GENERAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WEBSITE HTTP://MARINEDEBRIS.NOAA.GOV/INFO/JAPANFAQS.HTML5. U.S.-FLAG OPERATORS WITH SHIPS TRANSITING THE SUBJECT AREA SHOULD ADVISE SUCH VESSELS TO REMAIN VIGILANT ...

Rebounded by 13 percent in 2010 A report released from the U.S. Maritime Administration shows more ships are stopping at U.S. ports. The stops, or vessel calls, rebounded by 13 percent in 2010, after an eight percent decline in 2009. Oceangoing vessel calls reflect waterborne trade between the United States and countries around the world, and are a measure of import, export and domestic ocean shipments.Although challenges remain, this encouraging rebound in oceangoing vessels is a sign that President Obama's economic policies are working," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We're committed to supporting policies that will build on this momentum so that the maritime industry will continue to grow and create American jobs."The 2010 Vessel Calls Snapshot report contains data on calls by oceangoing vessels at U.S. ports. In 2010, 7,579 oceangoing vessels made 62,747 calls at U.S. ports. Of the 2010 calls, 35 percent were by tankers carrying oil and gas used to power our cars and heat our homes, 31 percent were by containerships carrying general export and import cargo for markets around the U.S. and the world, 17 percent were by dry bulk vessels carrying iron, coal and grain for export, 9 percent were by roll-on ...

Avoid transiting within 50 miles The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an Advisory stating that,due to radiation leaks from the damaged nuclear power plant near Fukushima,Japan, vessels are urged to avoid transiting within 50 miles of that site (37-19North, 141-01 East).This cautionary area may expand depending uponprevailing wind and weather.In the event that a vessel bound for the UnitedStates has transited within the cautionary area, the master should submit transitinformation, including the date and total time within the cautionary area, to thecognizant USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) using the comment block on the 96-hour advance notice of arrival (ANOA).To view the Advisory please click hereSource: MARAD

Warning to U.S. registered yachts and sailing vessels The U.S. Coast Guard strongly advises against all operation of and travel by U.S. yachts and sailing craft, or by U.S. citizens on foreign registered yachts and sailing craft, on the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Somali Basin and the western parts of the Indian Ocean.A U.S. registered sailing vessel was hijacked by pirates in February 2011 off the southern coast of Oman in the northern Arabian Sea and all of its crew were tragically killed. This case is a stark reminder of the grave dangers of operating in these high risk waters, especially by recreational vessels.All mariners already in these waters are urged to register with the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) for up to date advice and guidance on passage round the Horn of Africa. They should also report regularly to the UKMTO (email: [email protected]; Tel: +971 50 552 3215), giving location, course and speed, and plan their routing carefully to reduce the risk of an attack.Piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the northwest Indian Ocean and has occurred in excess of 1000 nautical miles from the coast of Somalia. Up-to-date information about attacks ...