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. 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 $750 million Deep Ocean Ascension newbuild project for BP when the Deepwater Horizon exploded. His seven years at Transocean and personal ties to members of the Horizon crew drove him to investigate the disaster, resulting in Fire on the Horizon (HarperCollins, 2011). In 2025, he co-authored Returning from Ebb Tide: Renewing the United States Commercial Maritime Enterprise for Marine Corps University Press. John has contributed to publications including Forbes, CIMSEC, Lloyd’s List, and the U.S. Coast Guard Compass, and has appeared on outlets including NPR and the BBC. He has also consulted for major newsrooms and public institutions on maritime reporting and offshore industry topics. His reporting draws on primary documents, official maritime records, and on-the-record sources cultivated over two decades in the industry. He is an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and a member of the Council of American Master Mariners and the Navy League of the United States. His work has been recognized with the U.S. Navy Combined Maritime Forces Naval Support Award and SUNY Maritime’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award.
by John Konrad (gCaptain) Last week the Brookings Institute recently published a new report titled “America can’t afford to ignore the logistics
by John Konrad (gCaptain) In a significant stride towards promoting diversity and inclusion, Matson ($MATX), a leading US Flag containership operator, reported
by John Konrad (gCaptain) Nuclear propulsion aboard commercial maritime vessels may sound like a science fiction scenario, but this is precisely the subject of
Picture a cruise ship. Not just a ferryboat, but an enormous floating resort filled with roller coasters, fine dining, and Broadway-style shows. These massive
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Irene Ang at Tradewinds is reporting that Kurow Shipping, a mysterious tanker company with ties to the Shadow Fleet of
by John Konrad (gCaptain) As the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, it has sent shockwaves through the global grain market, triggering a crisis that reverberates
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) In a recent development, Russia struck Ukrainian ports on Tuesday, a day after withdrawing from a U.N.-backed deal that
by John Konrad (gCaptain) In a move signifying deepening cooperation within the Australia – United Kingdom – United States (AUKUS) alliance, defense
The adage “what gets measured gets managed” rings hollow for American shipyards, as the U.S. Maritime Administration and Navy fall short of
By Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) In a surprising twist, Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco of Panama emerged victorious in the United Nations’
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) On June 13, a grim and preventable disaster unfolded in the Mediterranean Sea. A fishing trawler known as the Adriana,
by John Konrad (gCaptain) In today’s U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee hearing, the Coast Guard’s budget
by John Konrad (gCaptain) South Korean conglomerate Hanwha, valued at $42 billion, is considering a strategic acquisition of Austal, a pivotal player in the
by John Konrad (gCaptain) Far offshore, in the limitless expanse of the ocean, where the wind conducts the rhythmic ballet of the waves and the horizon
By John Konrad (gCaptain) Shipping, a stalwart industry often found clinging to antiquated practices and methodologies, has rarely been associated with
By John Konrad (gCaptain) Shares of Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Carnival Cruise Lines $CCL, soared by nearly 10% today on what the CEO calls
By John Konrad (gCaptain) Dr. Salvatore R. Mercogliano, a maritime historian and longtime contributor to gCaptain, recently celebrated a significant milestone
by John Konrad (gCaptain) Hamish Norton, the President of Star Bulk Carriers, provided insightful comments on the current state and future trends in the marine
by John Konrad (gCaptain) In the age of increased cyber threats and vulnerabilities, safeguarding a business extends beyond the perimeter of one’s
by Captain John Konrad (gCaptain) Todd Hornbeck, the CEO of Hornbeck Offshore, recently delivered a talk at the Marine Money Week Conference in NYC. He
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