The union last month welcomed new shipboard job opportunities as the chemical carrier Charleston joined the SIU fleet.
Seafarers crewed up the 635-foot tanker in Houston.
The Charleston is the eighth ship in the United States Shipping LLC U.S.-flag fleet. Built at Louisiana’s Avondale Shipyard in 1983, the vessel has a breadth of 106 feet and a deadweight tonnage of slightly more than 48,000. It is equipped with 43 cargo tanks.
Seafarers also sail aboard United States Shipping’s integrated tug-barges Baltimore, Groton, Jacksonville, Mobile, New York and Philadelphia, as well as the Chemical Pioneer. The ITBs typically carry refined petroleum products including gasoline, heating oil and jet fuel to the Caribbean as well as the East, Gulf and West coasts. The Chemical Pioneer, acquired by United States Shipping in July 2003, transports a wide variety of chemicals from U.S. Gulf Coast ports to U.S. East Coast ports.
The Jones Act tanker company is based in Edison, N.J.
“This ship means more new jobs for Seafarers, so the union obviously welcomes the addition of the Charleston,” stated SIU Vice President Contracts Augie Tellez. “The SIU’s ongoing commitment to gaining new, good jobs for Seafarers continues to get results. Our crews are dedicated, productive, safe and reliable—all of which helps tremendously when it comes to securing new work.”
He added that the union and the company enjoy a good working relationship and will continue exploring ways to expand the U.S.-flag fleet.
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