Tag: US MARAD

Winter weather can cause the waters off the coasts of New England states --part of M-95, a crucial marine highway running all the way from Maine to Florida-- to be too rough for tugs to safely push or pull cargo-loaded barges. That's why DOT's Maritime Administration (MARAD) has supported the Maine Port Authority's development of a next-level cargo vessel designed specifically to handle that unique marine environment. In addition to increasing safety and reliability for mariners and shippers, the project shows great potential to reduce e­­­­­nergy consumption and air emissions while offering relief to cars and trucks on the busy I-95 land-side corridor. This week, port officials took a major step forward in this effort by releasing a design for the first U.S. containerized articulated tug barge, or "ATB," made possible with funding from MARAD. Unlike a tug and barge combination, an ATB is mechanically linked, combining the economics of tug and barge operations with the speed, maneuverability, and heavy weather-reliability of a ship.  The vessel proposed by the Maine Port Authority would support the Northeast Marine Highway Expansion Project's efforts to expand container-on-barge service between Newark, NJ; Boston, MA; and Portland, ME. Source  & Image Credit : US MARADIn the start, I ...

US MARAD supports development of Maine Port Authority

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced a $324.6 million loan guarantee for TOTE Shipholdings and Saltchuk Resources for their Marlin Class vessels. The two new Marlin Class vessels, which will be the world's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containerships, will serve the Puerto Rico trade and will be complete in 2015 and 2016. This financing is made available under the Title XI Loan Guarantee Program. TOTE and Saltchuk qualified for this loan as the new ship build is an advancement in shipbuilding technology and being constructed at a U.S. shipyard. The new containerships are being built at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California. The Marlin Class vessels set new standards for environmental responsibility, reducing a number of air emissions including particulate matter, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. "This financing from the U.S. Department of Transportation and MARAD enables TOTE to invest in modern technology that will create jobs, reduce our impact on the environment, and ensure a safer and healthier workplace for our employees" stated Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE. More than 600 skilled workers will be employed by General Dynamics NASSCO for the construction of the two Marlin Class vessels. Both vessels are currently being ...

President Obama has taken action to build the foundation for a clean energy economy, tackle the issue of climate change and protect our environment

MPHRP attended and participated in this year's Expanded ASEAN Seafarer Training Counter Piracy Workshop (EAST-CP), Manila, Philippines.

The U.S. MARAD announced a $324.6 million loan guarantee for TOTE Shipholdings and Saltchuk Resources for their Marlin Class vessels

Study examines the pros and cons of four bunkering options The Maritime Administration (MARAD) released a comprehensive study examining the options for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering and the necessary infrastructure, safety, regulatory, and training factors of each in supplying LNG to ships as a propulsion fuel in the maritime sector. Bunkering is the transfer of LNG from a supply station to a receiving vessel for the sole purpose of use as propulsion fuel.The study examines the pros and cons of four bunkering options (truck-to-ship transfer, shore facility-to-ship transfer, ship-to-ship transfer, and transfer of portable tanks) based on factors such as the number and type of vessels to be served, local availability of LNG, port size, congestion and level of activity.1. Truck-to-Ship (TTS): is the most common method used to support the LNG-fueled ship network, to date.It is the transfer of LNG from a truck's storage tank to a vessel moored to the dock or jetty. Typically,this is undertaken by connecting a flexible hose designed for cryogenic LNG service. A typical LNG tanktruck can carry 13,000 gallons of LNG and transfer a complete load in approximately one hour.2. Shore/Pipeline-to-Ship (PTS): LNG is transferred from a fixed storage tank on land ...

U.S. MARAD released a study that evaluates total fuel cycle emissions for natural gas versus conventional marine fuels

ABS and the US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration have entered into a new Memorandum of Agreement

The M/V CAPE RAY, a 648-foot roll-on/roll-off Ready Reserve Force ship is steaming under orders towards Gioia Tauro, Italy, to load hundreds of tons of Syrian Government chemical weapon agents and precursor chemicals