As word spread last month about the extended U.S. Maritime Security Program, SIU members said they are excited about the union gaining 13 vessels under the new MSP.“This means more SIU jobs for the future and it helps the defense of this country,” said Recertified Bosun Michael Presser. “It’s good to see that we’re getting more jobs and that Seafarers can and do contribute as part of the nation’s fourth arm of defense.”
As previously reported, the U.S. Maritime Administration in January announced the names of the vessels and operators for the new MSP, which takes effect Oct. 1 and lasts for 10 years. The updated fleet contains 60 vessels—all of them under SIU contract.
The new fleet consists of the 47 Seafarers-crewed vessels already enrolled in the original MSP (established by the Maritime Security Act of 1996) along with 13 newly contracted SIU-crewed ships.
The operators for the 13 new MSP slots are Pacific-Gulf Marine (two ships), Interocean Ugland Management (four), OSG Shipholding Group (three), Central Gulf (one), Liberty Global Logistics (one) and Lykes Lines (two).
A complete list of the ships and companies was printed in the February Seafarers LOG and is available on the union’s web site (www.seafarers.org).
Meanwhile, SIU members understandably welcomed the MSP announcement.
“It’s important to me, for sure,” said Carlos Grillasca, who is upgrading to AB. “It’s good for job security.”
QMED Charles Sneed said the new MSP “is a great, great asset and it’ll provide more besides an increase in jobs. This will improve our overall status as part of the maritime community. The new additions allow us to cover more territory, you might say.”
Mario Suazo, upgrading to AB, said the expanded MSP fleet “is good, it gives us job security for years to come.”
John Cronan, an instructor at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education who also still sails as an electrician, stated, “It’s a great thing that we’re acquiring new ships and getting new jobs. I think it’s outstanding. Shipping was lean when I started (1983), so it’s refreshing to see that we’re gaining today.”
The Maritime Administration describes the MSP as “a fundamental element of the U. S. maritime transportation system, providing an active, privately owned, U.S.-flag and U.S.-crewed liner fleet in international trade which is available to support Department of Defense sustainment in a contingency…. These vessels are modern, efficient and militarily useful commercial dry cargo vessels which can support national security requirements and maintain a competitive U.S.-flag presence in international commerce. The MSP helps retain a labor base of skilled American seafarers who are available to crew the U.S. government-owned strategic sealift as well as the U.S. commercial fleet, both in peace and war.”
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