The following news release was issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on July 6. Contract for 2 NOAA research ships awarded to Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC. NOAA will add two new ships to its fleet of groundbreaking research vessels. The agency selected Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC. for a…
Jul
07
Jul
07
The following news release was issued by the Lake Carriers' Association on July 7. Limestone Trade Down in June Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.1 million tons in June, a decrease of 17.6 percent from a year ago. This June’s loadings were also below the month’s 5-year…
Jul
03
Imagine the following scenario: American military forces are placed on alert for possible immediate action in a destination without a nearby military base. The equipment they will need to sustain their involvement is scheduled to be delivered aboard U.S.-flag merchant ships being loaded at various ports in the United States.…
Jun
29
From the AFL-CIO, to which the SIU is affiliated: ICYMI: President Biden: I’m ‘the Most Pro-Union President In American History. And I Make No Apologies for It’ President Biden praises the AFL-CIO, labor movement’s efforts to expand good union jobs into new communities: “They have; they’re going now. It’s beginning…
Jun
29
The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) has issued the following news item. A number of SIU-contracted companies and SIU crews were among the honorees, including those mentioned in the release: Crescent Towing (tugs Savannah, South Carolina, and Lisa Cooper) and OSG (Overseas Long Beach). Other SIU-contracted honorees included Crowley…
Jun
28
SIU President David Heindel, Executive Vice President Augie Tellez and Port Agent Joe Baselice represented the union June 26 at the Empire State’s christening ceremony, hosted by Philly Shipyard. The union-built ship is the first of five in a class known as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV). Seafarers-contracted TOTE is…
Jun
23
The office of U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kansas) issued the following news item on June 22. As noted near the end of the release, the SIU and the Maritime Trades Department (among dozens of other organizations) support the legislation. To access the release on the congressman's website, click HERE. WASHINGTON,…
Jun
21
From the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center: (UPDATE) National Maritime Center Credential Production Delays Resolved On April 7, 2023, the National Maritime Center (NMC) reported on technical difficulties with our credential production equipment. These equipment issues led to delays in issuing Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs). These issues have been resolved, and…
Jun
21
The International Transport Workers' Federation, to which the SIU is affiliated, has posted the following news item. A related Seafarers LOG article from early this year is available HERE. International Labor Conference calls for urgent action on just transition 21 June 2023, Geneva and Bonn – The International Transport Workers’…
Jun
16
The AFL-CIO has issued the following news item: AFL-CIO Votes to Endorse President Biden for Re-Election Earliest Presidential Endorsement in AFL-CIO History Triggers Massive Campaign in Support of Biden–Harris (Washington, D.C., June 16, 2023)—The General Board of the AFL-CIO—representing 60 unions and more than 12.5 million workers—voted today to endorse…