More jobs are on the horizon for Seafarers as SIU-contracted and Norfolk, Va.-based Maersk Line, Ltd. later this year will rename and reflag the Ramsgate, a 35,000 tonnage clean product tanker.The vessel, currently owned and operated by Maersk United Kingdom and registered under the British flag, will be renamed the Rhode Island and flagged under the Stars and Stripes. Delivery of the tanker to the Virginia company is expected Aug. 31 on the West Coast. A formal ceremony for the renaming and reflagging will take place at the time, a Maersk spokesperson said.
“This move reflects Maersk’s commitment to the U.S. flag, and it’s also a great credit to Capt. Bill Schubert (head of the U.S. Maritime Administration) for his and MarAd’s efforts to promote and increase the U.S.-flag fleet and employment opportunities for U.S. mariners,” stated SIU Pres. Michael Sacco. “It also augments the critical manpower pool of trained mariners who are so vital to U.S. sealift capability.”
The Rhode Island is a single screw, diesel-driven, double hull tanker that will engage in worldwide service. Its homeport will be Norfolk, Va. The U.S.-flag vessel will be engaged primarily in transporting clean petroleum products. It is capable of carrying clean and so-called “dirty” petroleum and crude oils in cargo tanks with special epoxy series coating in cargo tanks and slop tanks.
The ship is 562 feet long and 90 feet wide. Its “summer deadweight” is listed at 34,999 metric tons, while its gross tonnage is 22,181 metric tons. The vessel is equipped with bow and stern thrusters and is capable of carrying five grades simultaneously.
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