SpaceX Says It Could Replace Containerships? We Say No, It Can’t
by John Konrad (gCaptain) In the vast cosmos of technological innovation, the concept of rocket-propelled cargo transport has become a dazzling star,
Captain John Konrad is the founder and CEO of gCaptain, one of the world’s most-read maritime news websites, and a member of the Pentagon Press Corps. He holds a USCG Master Unlimited license and earned an MBA from Marist College. John studied naval architecture at the U.S. Naval Academy before graduating from SUNY Maritime College with a degree in Marine Transportation. He is also a Y Combinator Startup School alumnus. His decade at sea included service aboard Military Sealift Command-operated ships, crude-oil supertankers running to Valdez, and dynamically positioned drillships supporting deepwater projects. In industry leadership roles, he participated in major offshore exploration and drilling campaigns, including the KG-D6 discovery with Reliance Industries and world record-setting deepwater work with Chevron. On April 20, 2010, John had finished overseeing the $750 million Deep Ocean Ascension newbuild project for BP when the Deepwater Horizon exploded. His seven years at Transocean and personal ties to members of the Horizon crew drove him to investigate the disaster, resulting in Fire on the Horizon (HarperCollins, 2011). In 2025, he co-authored Returning from Ebb Tide: Renewing the United States Commercial Maritime Enterprise for Marine Corps University Press. John has contributed to publications including Forbes, CIMSEC, Lloyd’s List, and the U.S. Coast Guard Compass, and has appeared on outlets including NPR and the BBC. He has also consulted for major newsrooms and public institutions on maritime reporting and offshore industry topics. His reporting draws on primary documents, official maritime records, and on-the-record sources cultivated over two decades in the industry. He is an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and a member of the Council of American Master Mariners and the Navy League of the United States. His work has been recognized with the U.S. Navy Combined Maritime Forces Naval Support Award and SUNY Maritime’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award.
by John Konrad (gCaptain) In the vast cosmos of technological innovation, the concept of rocket-propelled cargo transport has become a dazzling star,
by John Konrad (gCaptain OpEd) With a staggering 15,000+ miles of navigable waterways, it’s critical to note that river barges can carry over ten times
by John Konrad (gCaptain) It is often said that baseball is the great American pastime, a sport woven into the very fabric of the nation’s soul.
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Yesterday on the floor of Congress, Roger Wicker, the senior United States senator from Mississippi, addressed his fellow
Gordon Lightfoot, the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter who captivated generations with his evocative storytelling and unique musical stylings, passed away
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) In recent months, the US Navy’s critical lack of available amphibious ships has led to the Marine Corps being unable to
In a recent Financial Times article, Helen Thomas highlights the growing concern over threats to undersea cables, which are essential for global digital
by Captain John Konrad (OpEd) How can you help Cato dismantle the Jones Act and undermine American shipping? How can you subvert crucial US Navy shipbuilding
In a recent op-ed for Le Journal du Dimanche, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell boldly advocated for European warships to actively patrol the Taiwan Strait
As geopolitical tensions rise, businesses are exploring alternatives to China for production and diversification, yet China’s vast influence in global
In August, Marilyn Jones and her husband Robert set sail on an eight-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, aboard the Celebrity Equinox. Just two
By John Konrad (gCaptain) A Congressional Research Study update by Ronald O’Rourke shows the US Navy has earmarked $8.8 million in research and
New allegations have emerged via the BBC suggesting that Russia has a program to sabotage wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea. The joint
Alaska's Senator Dan Sullivan Holds Navy Secretary Accountable for Alleged Shipbuilding Law
In an era marked by Brexit, the Ukraine crisis, and the push for long-term decarbonization solutions, the European RoRo cargo vessel sector finds itself
by John Konrad (gCaptain) As a US Merchant Marine captain, Merchant Marine veteran advocate, and the husband of a decorated Merchant Marine war veteran, I find
California’s persistent water scarcity issues linger, even after an unusually wet winter. Governor Gavin Newsom has refrained from declaring an end to
As the global community strives to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, sustainable shipping emerges as a critical
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) The brewing conflict between the US Navy and the US Marine Corps over the production of amphibious warships is reaching a
by John Konrad (gCaptain) This week marked significant AI-related announcements for the US Navy at the annual Sea Air Space conference. Top Admiral and CNO,
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