The US Center for Disease Control issued a Travel Health Alert Notice regarding Measles outbreaks in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific, noting that measles remains a common disease in these regions. CDC warned that anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting infected when they travel internationally.
The US National Park Service, along with the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration will allocate $2.6 million in maritime heritage grants to assist funding 34 preservation and education projects in 14 states and the Northern Mariana Islands. These grants aim to teach about sites related to US’s maritime history.
The US MARAD announced the availability of $19.6 million in federal funding to support capital improvements and employee training at small US shipyards. The grants are provided under the Small Shipyard Grant Program, to help eligible shipyards modernize operations and increase efficiency.
US MARAD issued an alert highlighting the need for vigilance in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf of Oman. US flagged commercial vessels are advised to navigate at least 200nm off the Somali coast to the extent practicable and follow the BMP4 guidance.
Under its Small Shipyard Grant Program, the US MARAD awarded USD 9.8 million to 18 US small shipyards, aiming to support industrial modernizations that will increase productivity and allow more effective competence in the global marketplace.
The US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration has deployed two National Defense Reserve Fleet vessels for a pre-scripted Federal Emergency Management Agency mission, to support recovery operations after Harvey hurricane in Texas.
The American Waterways Operators, in cooperation with Maritime Administration, launched a study documenting the contribution of the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry to the US economy.
US MARAD issued a Maritime Advisory, providing guidance to U.S. flagged operators with vessels transiting the Gulf of Guinea. As pirates/ armed groups operating in the GoG region continue to carry out attacks on vessels, using automatic weapons, US MARAD strongly recommends operators to forward this Advisory to their ships.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced it will make available $9.8 million in Federal funding to support capital improvements and employee training at small U.S. shipyards. The grants, provided through the Small Shipyard Grant Program, aim in a modernization of operations, efficiency improvement and a highly skilled workforce.
The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued warning concerning the US-flag vessels which transit the Sulu and Celebes Seas. In light of recent boardings and kidnappings for ransom in that area, ship operators are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to counter-piracy measures when transiting the area.
