Seafarers Log
Anyone who attended the most recent meeting of the Maritime Trades Department Executive Board must have come away encouraged and energized. As reported in detail throughout this edition of the LOG, we heard from representatives of the administration, the military, the labor movement and Congress. Collectively, their remarks underscored support…
Seafarers Log
A new study leaves no doubt that the Jones Act is vital for U.S. national, economic and homeland security. The Transportation Institute (TI) on March 4 announced that the domestic maritime industry now employs almost 650,000 Americans across all 50 states and contributes $154 billion to the nation’s economic growth…
Seafarers Log
New SIU jobs are on the way following the recent christening of a union-built containership. Matson’s Kaimana Hila formally was welcomed March 9 at Philly Shipyard. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) served as the vessel’s sponsor. The…
Seafarers Log
Two of the year’s first congressional hearings on the maritime industry reflected strong bipartisan support for the U.S. Merchant Marine as a whole and for the Jones Act in particular. SIU Executive Vice President Augie Tellez (pictured above) testified on behalf of maritime labor during a March 6 hearing conducted…
Seafarers Log
Seafarers were on hand to help welcome a new, state-of-the-art Crowley vessel in Puerto Rico. The company on Feb. 22 christened the U.S.-flag combination container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ship MV Taíno in San Juan. Clara…
Seafarers Log
For the tenth year in a row, representatives…
Seafarers Log
An executive order signed by President Trump on March 4 will make it easier for military personnel to transition into the U.S. Merchant Marine. The SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education was represented at the signing ceremony in the Oval Office. Apprentice Corey Daniel Reseburg was one…
Seafarers Log
U.S. Congressmen Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) and Brian Mast (R-Florida) have different public-speaking styles, but they offered similarly passionate messages when addressing the MTD executive board last month. Both of them expressed strong support for the Jones Act and the U.S. Merchant Marine. They also stressed the importance of grassroots political…
Seafarers Log
The head of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) thoroughly understands the challenges facing America’s maritime industry, but remains optimistic about its future. Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby delivered that message Feb. 21 as the first guest speaker to address the MTD executive board this year. The setting was nothing new for…