Tag: US

Following the attacks against two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, the US Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, provided interviews commenting that the US is considering a military response after the attack, with the goal of protecting the area and the vessels operating there. 

The US released new images on June 17, claiming once again that sectarian Iranian forces attacked at least one petrochemical tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The photos were taken from a Navy MH-60R Seahawk, and they depict a similar scene as a grainy black and white video US Central Command that was released last week. According to the US, the pictures show an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fast attack craft coming alongside the Japanese-owned petrochemical tanker M/V Kokuka Courageou sand removed what CENTCOM claims to be a limpet mine. In addition, images shot from alongside Kokuka Courageous taken from the crew of USS Bainbridge, present a greenish-grey base attached to the hull, what CENTCOM says is the remains of the removed mine. Iran is responsible for the attack based on video evidence and the resources and proficiency needed to quickly remove the unexploded limpet mine CENTCOM stated. Credit: CENTCOM What is more, complementing the imagery, CENTCOM also released a detailed timeline of the attacks and the US response, however Iran continues to deny that they were responsible for the attack. Despite this denial, in the beginning of this week, the US Pentagon deployed an additional 1,000 troops to US Central Command as tensions between Tehran ...

The largest container vessel ever built in San Diego, Lurline, was christened and launched by General Dynamics Nassco, on Saturday, June 15. The vessel is a 870-foot-long, 3,500 TEU, 44,200 deadweight metric ton, combination container ship/roll-on, roll-off (ConRo) vessel built for Honolulu-based Matson, Inc. 

The US Coast Guard announced that it is responding to a report of a 32-foot sailing vessel grounded off Magic Island, on June 13. Pollution responders are also on scene assessing the area, as there is a maximum potential fuel load of 27 gallons of diesel aboard. A slight sheen was reported but is expected to dissipate naturally.

Port Tampa Bay welcomed its biggest container ship ever, the CMA CGM Dalila. The vessel is 1,096 feet long, 141 feet across the beam and can carry up to 8,469 TEU shipping containers. CMA CGM Dalila is also the first ship in a new service planned to arrive on weekly basis from Asia.

The Massachusetts Port Authority presented a new report, showing that the Port of Boston contributed $8.2 billion in economic activity in 2018, an increase from $4.6 billion in 2012. Smart investments and partnerships were the drivers to increasing jobs, business revenues, and tax contributions.

Following the tanker attacks on Thursday, 13 June in the Gulf of Oman, the IMO Secretary General, the International Chamber of Shipping and INTERTANKO expressed their concerns, noting that this is an intolerable situation threatening the lives of seafarers, the environment and the world economy.

SW/TCH Maritime (SW/TCH) announced its collaboration with Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine (GGZEM), concerning its aim to build and own the 'Water Go Round' e-ferry. The project leverages proven technology from partners including BAE Systems and Hydrogenics.

US Senators Todd Young, Bill Cassidy, M.D., and Michael Bennet have brought the Waterway LNG Parity Act before Congress. This bill mandates excise taxes on LNG for marine transportation on inland waterways to be levied at a rate consistent with energy output regarding diesel and gasoline.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for $292.7 million in discretionary grant funding through the new Port Infrastructure Development Program. This new program aims to support public coastal ports by improving the safety, efficiency or reliability of goods movement, into, out of or within a port.