Help Wanted: US Maritime Industry Struggles to Fill Key Gaps
A shortage of U.S. mariners presents a major threat to the United States’ national and economic security, and the problem is growing day by day.According to a 2017 study prepared by the Maritime Workforce Working Group and released by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the estimated pool of U.S. mariners actively sailing with unlimited tonnage credentials was comprised of 11,768 mariners. Assuming that all these mariners would be both willing and available to sail as needed, this number falls 1,839 qualified mariners short of the 13,607 needed to sustain a full activation of the Ready
Labor Shortages, Climate Change & Technology: They’re All Related
of the “New World” to be pushed down the road before long-term decisions are made.With those delays, the labor markets across many, if not all, markets have changed. “Help wanted” signs hang in every storefront, office building and government agency. In no uncertain terms, the maritime industry has been dealing with labor problems, and none of this is news to our industry. The mariner shortage has been discussed at length for years, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to crew not only U.S. flag commercial vessels, but foreign registered ships as well. The labor shortage
Ann Phillips Confirmed as Next MARAD Administrator
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Ann C. Phillips as Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), filling a position that has been left vacant at the Department of Transportation (DOT) since January 2021. Phillips was confirmed by a vote of 75-22.Phillips, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, takes over as head of the DOT's maritime agency amid continued shipping and supply chain disruption as well as historic levels of government funding for maritime and port infrastructure projects. She succeeds Mark Buzby, who resigned from the role in the wake of the insurrection at the U.S.
MARAD Offers New Training Courses
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) launched newly-accredited, web-based training courses on cargo preference laws and regulations. The courses were developed in collaboration with Defense Acquisition University (DAU). They are intended to enhance comprehension of and compliance with cargo preference laws by other federal agencies, supporting contractors, and program participants, such as loan and grant recipients.Cargo preference laws and regulations protect the Nation’s cargo interest by statutorily mandating the use of U.S.-flag vessels for cargo purchased, furnished or
Military to Maritime Digital Career Platform Launched
The American Maritime Partnership today announced the launch of the Military to Maritime digital career platform (www.militarytomaritime.org), which is dedicated to helping veterans find meaningful, family-wage jobs in the maritime industry while supporting America’s national and economic security. Building on the numerous Military to Maritime career fairs across the country, the enhanced digital platform connects veterans with career opportunities in the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry and provides training and credentialing information to help in their transition from military
Crowley’s Solutions Group Reorganizes
Crowley Maritime Corp.’s solutions group announced that it is reorganizing and establishing new leadership to better serve customers in need of engineering, project management and government services. Solutions is the company’s dedicated, full-service engineering, project management and government services team, reporting to Crowley’s Todd Busch, senior vice president and general manager, technical services. Jay Edgar, who is new to Crowley, has been appointed vice president and leader of the company’s newly formed engineering services team, which encompasses all
Goss, Martus Receive Thomas Crowley Awards
Crowley Maritime Corporation’s Zoe Goss, director, marine recruiting and development, and Ray Martus, vice president, vessel construction management, have been honored with 2016 Thomas Crowley Awards, the company’s highest honor for its employees. Goss and Martus each received a limited-edition bronze sculpture that depicts company founder Thomas Crowley ferrying goods in a row boat across San Francisco Bay in the early 1890s. The award serves not only as a tribute to the founder of the company, but also to those honorees who have aligned themselves closely with the company's
California: A Strong Shipbuilding State
Fifth in the nation for direct employment, California shipbuilding and repair industry supports nearly 35,000 jobs; Maritime Administrator highlights economic importance of shipyard industry for California while on tour at NASSCO Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) member General Dynamics NASSCO hosted U.S. Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen for a tour of the San Diego shipyard, where SEACOR Constitution – a 610-foot tank ship launched this weekend. While on the tour, Administrator Jaenichen shared data from a report by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
Texas Ranks Third for U.S. Maritime Jobs, Houston No. 2
Texas ranks third among all states for domestic maritime jobs with Houston ranked second among all U.S. cities for its contribution to the U.S. maritime industry, according to a new study PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for the Transportation Institute and released by the American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the U.S. domestic maritime industry. The domestic maritime industry, comprised of the vessels which move cargoes between American ports, pumps $8 billion annually into the Texas economy, and provides 39,190 Texas maritime jobs, with $2.3 billion in worker income. A former
Legislation Targets US Ship Recycling Reform
U.S. Senators David Vitter (R-La.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.). Congressman Garret Graves (R-La.) will introduce the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation aims to improve the domestic ship recycling industry and promote transparency by requiring reports from Maritime Administration (MARAD) and an audit by the Government Accountability Office. “The Maritime Administration receives millions of dollars in federal funding, but they’ve never reported how the sales money is spent or how the agency awards contracts,” Vitter said. &ldquo
BAE Systems to Expand San Diego Shipyard
, and will accommodate cruisers, destroyers, amphibious assault ships, mine countermeasures ships and both variants of the Littoral Combat Ship. The expanded facilities may also service other ships and vessels under contract, including those for Military Sealift Command, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration. The new Pier 4, at 415-feet long and 64-feet wide, replaces a 52-year-old pier and includes new services such as fresh water, electrical, sewage, and storm water containment. The new drydock will measure 950-feet long and 205-feet wide, with a design lifting capacity
Captains' Union Blasts McCain’s Keystone Amendment
International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots Asks: If Keystone is a “Jobs Bill” Why Would Congress Want to Send 400,000 Maritime Jobs in 26 States Overseas? S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, has been described as a “jobs bill” by the pipeline’s proponents since Keystone XL was first proposed, but according to the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, a new amendment introduced by Arizona Sen. John McCain would turn S.1 into a “’job killer’ of epic and irreversible proportions.” The Sea
W&O Opposes McCain Amendment
the McCain Amendment (amendment #2) to S.1, which it said would cripple the U.S. shipbuilding industry by striking the U.S. build requirement provisions of the Jones Act. “The amendment Senator John McCain has put forth would devastate W&O’s business and others operating in the maritime industry. The ripple effect of this legislation would also impact companies and individuals outside our industry, significantly affecting the 480,000 jobs tied to maritime operations,” said Michael Hume, president and CEO of W&O. “We employ nearly 300 individuals across the country
OMSA Opposes McCain Amendment
Senator John McCain’s proposal allowing foreign-built vessels to take over marine transportation in the United States, stating the amendment would gut U.S. shipbuilding while outsourcing jobs and security. “Senator McCain has proposed an amendment to eliminate a cornerstone of U.S. maritime policy that dates back to the founding of our nation. The reservation of domestic transportation to U.S.-built vessels ensures the existence and viability of America’s shipbuilding industrial base. America’s forefathers realized the importance of this industry as a critical source of
Jones Act is Critical to Conn. Economy
Study shows Connecticut shipbuilding industry worth $2.5 billion to state’s economy, supports nearly 23,000 jobs The American Maritime Partnership (AMP) joined with the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) to highlight new data that shows Connecticut ranks fourth among all states in private sector jobs related to the shipbuilding and repair industry. Supported by the Jones Act, which ensures vessels operating in our domestic waterways are U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed and U.S.-owned, Connecticut is home to 22,710 shipyard jobs, according to a recent study by the U.S. Maritime Administration
Alaska Packs Powerful Maritime Economic Punch: New Study
A recent study for the Transportation Institute by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) revealed that Alaska is a major domestic maritime state, ranking third among all American states for domestic maritime industry economic impact. The American domestic maritime industry includes vessel operators, marine terminals, shipyards, and workers engaged in the movement of cargo exclusively within the U.S. Key findings of the PwC study as they relate to Alaska were as follows: Alaska ranks #3 among all U.S. states in per capita jobs related to the American domestic maritime industry. The State is home to an
