NORFOLK, Va. — U.S. 2nd Fleet, on behalf of U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) and with Military Sealift Command (MSC), is conducting convoy operations across the Atlantic, employing the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf alongside USNS Benavidez, MV Resolve and MV Patriot, the…
N.S. Savannah Returns from Dry Dock
WASHINGTON — The N.S. Savannah, the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship, was to begin its journey back on Feb. 13 from dry-docking in preparation for decommissioning, the Maritime Administration said in a release. Having spent the last few months at Northeast Ship Repair in Philadelphia undergoing maintenance, the ship…
MARAD Announces $20 Million for Jacksonville Terminal Modernization
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration Administrator Adm. Mark Buzby formally presented a check for $20 million to Jacksonville for the International Cargo Terminal modernization project, the Maritime Administration announced in a release. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao said Nov….
Sea Machines, MARAD Partner to Demonstrate Autonomous Technology on Spill-Response Vessel
BOSTON — Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics has entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to demonstrate the ability of Sea Machines’ autonomous technology in increasing the safety, response time and productivity of marine…
Transportation Secretary Announces Over $19 Million in Grants for Small U.S. Shipyards
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $19.6 million in grants to support capital improvements at 28 U.S. small shipyards as a part of its Small Shipyard Grant program, MARAD said in a release. Provided through…
U.S. Department of Transportation Launches Port Infrastructure Development Program
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for $292.7 million in discretionary grant funding through the new Port Infrastructure Development Program, the department said in a June 12 release. “This…
MARAD Announces Vessel Construction Manager for National Security Multi-Mission Vessel
WASHINGTON — Maritime Administrator Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby announced May 21 that TOTE Services Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, has been chosen as the vessel construction manager for the newest class of training ship, the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV)….
Robots are Real, but AI’s Full Promise is Still on the Horizon
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Artificial intelligence in all its forms, from machine learning algorithms to unmanned systems, is a sure thing for the sea services and its partners, but there is still much to determine in terms of the technological…
Nation’s Sealift Struggling, but Gaining Attention
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The nation’s strategic sealift has languished for too many years, a panel of experts told an audience May 7 at Sea-Air-Space 2019. And the panel, representing the military and civilian sea services, told the morning program…
Indo-Pacific Policy More Complex Than Only China and Russia
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — As the nation grapples with striking a balance between competing with great power challenges and preparing for the possibility of conflict, the Indo-Pacific region poses perhaps the most significant challenge, Dr. Mara Karlin believes. Karlin, director…