The Great Green Fleet (GGF) is a year-long, Department of the Navy initiative that demonstrates the sea service’s efforts to transform its energy use. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s key energy goals, the purpose of the GGF is to make our Sailors and Marines better warfighters, able to go farther, stay longer and deliver more firepower.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus chose the name Great Green Fleet to honor President Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet, which helped usher in America as a global power on the world stage at the beginning of the 20th Century. The GGF will usher in the next era of Dept. of Navy energy innovation.
The centerpiece of the Great Green Fleet is a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) that deploys on alternative fuels, including nuclear power for the carrier and a blend of advanced biofuel made from beef fat and traditional petroleum for its escort ships. These biofuels have been procured by DON at prices that are on par with conventional fuels, as required by law, and are certified as “drop-in” replacements that require no engine changes or changes to working procedures. The CSG also uses energy efficient technologies and operating procedures called Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) during the course of its normal operations.
Throughout 2016, other Dept. of Navy platforms including ships, aircraft, amphibious and expeditionary forces, as well as shore installations, will take part in the GGF by using energy efficient systems, procedures, and/or alternative fuel during the course of planned mission functions worldwide.
Ashore, DON installations have in procurement 1.1 gigawatts of renewable energy – or about one-half of overall DON power requirements as of January 2016. Renewable energy projects at our facilities can help increase resiliency by enabling them to continue operations in the event of a commercial grid disruption.
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in Norway’s capital, wrapping up a month-long joint exercise with NATO in the Norwegian and Barents Sea in a show of strength. The drills in the Sub-Arctic and Arctic region serve to reinforce NATO’s High North posture. A flotilla of naval vessels, including Norwegian frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl, escorted the aircraft carrier into Oslo fjord.
U.S. naval forces continue to step up their engagement in the Arctic. While the Coast Guard now has two icebreakers operating in the Bering Sea simultaneously for the first time in more than a decade, the U.S. Navy together with Norwegian allied forces dispatched a four-vessel flotilla to the North Cape at the very top of Norway.
By Idrees Ali, Patricia Zengerle and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Aug 29 (Reuters) – A large buildup of U.S. naval forces in and around the Southern Caribbean has officials in Caracas and experts in the...
August 30, 2025
Total Views: 5259
Get The Industry’s Go-To News
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
— just like 107,247 professionals
Secure Your Spot
on the gCaptain Crew
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
— trusted by our 107,247 members
Your Gateway to the Maritime World!
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Join The Club
The Great Green Fleet (GGF) is a year-long, Department of the Navy initiative that demonstrates the sea service’s efforts to transform its energy use. As one of the Secretary of the Navy’s 
