The U.S House of Representatives has passed the “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act” seeking to reform U.S. energy policy and authorize major investments in research and development in transition to renewable and low-carbon energy sources. The bill was passed Thursday by a vote of 220-185. Included in the bill was an amendment by Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA03) to … [Read more...]
THIS IS NOT A DRILL – A Long Story About A Short Meeting To Save US Shipping
EDITORIAL NOTE: Elements of this story have been fictionalized for brevity. OP-ED By John Konrad (gCaptain) Those five words have special meaning. They motivate like no other. They ring for years in the sweat-soaked nightmares of any sailor who has ever heard them. They excite and calm. Words have power and meaning but few words have more meaning to sailors than these five. … [Read more...]
VARD Secures Second ABS Approval for Jones Act-Compliant Offshore Wind Service Vessel
Naval architect Vard Marine has been awarded its second Approval in Principle from the American Bureau of Shipping for a Jones Act-compliant service operation vessel (SOV) for the U.S. offshore wind market. The VARD 4 19 US SOV design features primary functions including accommodation, transferring technicians to installations as well as storing spare parts and tools for … [Read more...]
Second Matson ‘Con-Ro’ Christened at NASSCO
The second of two Kanalao-class "con-ro" ships for Honolulu-based Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX) was launched last week at General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, California. The new vessel was christened 'Matsonia,' an iconic name in Matson's long history dating to the construction of Matson's first ship of that name in 1912. The Matsonia is the second of two new ships … [Read more...]
100 Years of the Jones Act – Here is to Another 100 Years!
Salvatore R. Mercogliano, Ph.D. - June 5, 2020 marks the centennial of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly referred to as the Jones Act. Earlier this year, I wrote an article on the passage of the act and its important to history, but with this anniversary, many opponents to the law are aiming to see its repeal and demise. As one of the three legs on which the modern … [Read more...]