SIU-contracted Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) in late August announced that it had completed the purchase of a 47,000 DWT product tanker to add to its U.S.-
flag fleet.
The M/T Marco, which is scheduled to reflag under the Stars and Stripes in early September, will be renamed the Maersk Michigan. The 597-foot vessel is a double-hulled tanker built in 2003. In announcing the purchase, the company noted that the ship “will provide U.S. government customers, such as the Defense Energy Support Center, with expanded petroleum transport capacity around the world.”
“This vessel clearly and strongly reflects the company’s commitment to both the American flag and U.S. crews,” stated SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez. “The union continues working to expand job opportunities and job security for our members. However, bringing tonnage in under the Stars and Stripes is a boost not only for the SIU but for overall national and economic security, because ships like the Maersk Michigan help maintain the pool of qualified shipboard manpower that’s so vital to our country.”
“The addition of the Maersk Michigan represents our commitment to expanding our U.S.-flag fleet and to providing U.S. government customers with strategic tanker capacity where it is needed most,” said Steve Carmel, MLL’s senior vice president of maritime services. “We are also proud that the ship will add new jobs and capacity to the overall U.S. flag fleet.”
MLL Labor Relations Vice President Ed Hanley added, “The crew did a great job to take over the vessel under significant time pressure and other challenges. We had to do the crew change at anchor in less than favorable conditions — heavy swells, rain, etc. Lots of stores had to be offloaded from the launch, and the mariners had to move into rooms that were not left very tidy by the outgoing crew… The training and professionalism of the SIU crew showed as everyone was completely focused on taking over the vessel properly and discharging the cargo safely. They did a great job!”
This wasn’t the only big news recently announced by the company. In July, MLL reported that it had won the bid to purchase and operate the MV Pvt. Franklin J. Phillips and MV William B. Baugh – a development which preserves Seafarers’ jobs aboard both vessels. The Baugh has been renamed the Maersk Texas while the Phillips has been renamed the Maersk Tennessee. The ships are sailing in MLL’s commercial service. Previously, they were part of the U.S. Military Sealift Command’s prepositioning fleet.
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