49 minute read
INSIDE WASHINGTON
FMC unveils interim shipper complaint filing process
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has introduced interim procedures to review, investigate, and adjudicate charge complaints filed by shippers to challenge carrier charges. It notes that since the enactment of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA), it has received more than 175 charge complaint filings. The new procedures clarify the interim steps the FMC will take under the new authority granted by OSRA.
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Under the announced process, a charge complaint that is “perfected” with sufficient information and details is promptly investigated by FMC staff in the Office of Investigations. The common carrier will be contacted by FMC staff as part of the investigation and asked to respond to the complaint, and justify the charge or fee being investigated. Both parties are notified at the conclusion of the investigation.
If the investigation supports a finding that the common carrier’s charge is not in compliance, the Office of Enforcement will recommend that the Commission—the five Commissioners as a body—issue an “order to show cause” to the common carrier under 46 C.F.R. § 502.91 to formally adjudicate the charge complaint. The common carrier receiving the order must show why it should not be ordered to refund the fees or charges paid or waive the fees in question.
The Commission will issue a decision on the order to show cause, and for charges not in compliance with the law, will order a refund or waiver. The Commission may then also initiate a separate civil penalty proceeding with Commission’s Administrative Law Judge for consideration of penalties under 46 U.S.C. §§ 41107 and 41109.
An initial determination to not refer a charge complaint to the Office of Enforcement does not bar a party from filing a subsequent small claim or formal complaint with the Commission. A party may also seek alternative dispute resolution services by contacting the Commission’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services.
The FMC’s Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 Implementation page provides a detailed explanation of the charge complaint process as well as answers to Frequently Asked Questions on this topic.
The FMC says that experience gained from these first proceedings will guide it on what form a permanent process should take. A new permanent procedure would be completed through a formal rulemaking after notice and public comment.
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Meet the winners of Marine Log’s 2022 Top Women in Maritime Awards, which recognize the many women in maritime who have made a significant contribution to the greater marine shipping and transportation industry.
2022 TOP WOMEN
IN MARITIME
As the maritime industry continues to increase diversity and bring more women into its ranks, we wrap up 2022 for the third year in a row by bringing to you our list of Top Women in Maritime.
Our editorial team has carefully selected these 20 women of varied backgrounds, ages and locations with nominations given by those in the industry. We asked them to tell us about the successes they’re most proud of in their maritime career—whether it’s in shoreside management, onboard a vessel, or in another field.
While we can only share a fraction of their incredible contributions to maritime in this article——which include working on a notable Hollywood film, advocating on behalf of prominent issues, and being involved in many maritime “firsts”— we have published the full feature story on marinelog.com.
ANNIE FISHER
Senior Naval Architect & Marine Engineer, Bristol Harbor Group
In 2011, she spent a semester sailing from San Diego to Honolulu on a Sea Education Association sailing school vessel. At BHGI, she has been involved in a wide assortment of projects, ranging from double hulling a fuel oil barge servicing Martha’s Vineyard, replacing a deckhouse on the sailing school vessel Tabor Boy, and lengthening the NASA barge PEGASUS to carry the new Artemis rockets. Fisher is currently overseeing the Texas DOT Galveston-Bolivar Ferry in Louisiana and the new floating dry dock for Electric Boat, which will support the Columbia-Class Ballistic Submarines.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career?
AF: One of the things I am most proud of is helping to create an environment where young engineers feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. I think it’s incredibly important for incoming engineers to have the freedom to think through a drawing or calculation they have never done before and come up with a logical solution, regardless of whether it is exactly the way it is usually done. I’m proud of my role in fostering this culture, and it’s rewarding to watch our younger engineers gain confidence.
Remm is a graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Upon graduation, she sailed with Crowley on its ocean-going tugs and then commenced her career ashore as an assistant port engineer to port engineer for petroleum ATBs and tankers for eight years. From there, she pioneered the Engineering Reliability program that supported the vessels with equipment failure trending, standard maintenance reviews, and engineering corrective actions and continuous improvement solutions.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? CR: I am proud of the resilience and hurdles I have and continue to overcome in my career. My success has been from being able to connect and lead mariners from all vessel types and encourage a more thoughtful and reliable operational culture. With the mariner in mind, I lead a reliability team that pioneered and started an operational reliability program to encourage and embed forward-thinking and planning in the day-to-day tasks. During law school, she interned at the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Center for Seafarer’s Rights (now the Center for Mariner Advocacy) and was the Editor in Chief of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal. After law school, she spent 10 years working at the law firm Holland & Knight in New York, in its Transportation & Infrastructure sector and maritime practice group. She concentrated on commercial shipping matters, including charter party disputes, vessel casualties, cargo claims, insurance matters, and personal injury claims. From May 2019 through February 2022, she served as the legal counsel for M/V The World, the largest residential passenger ship in the world.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career?
BD: Working on the film “Master and Commander,” of course. But in terms of legal successes, one of the most interesting cases and “successes” for my colleagues and me was the negotiation of a settlement on behalf of a group of reinsurers on a matter arising out of a Somali pirate hijacking of a VLCC. Representation of the reinsurers followed representation of the shipowner and insurers before the Office of Foreign Assets Control and in a general average arbitration matter.
Kurtz attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Upon graduation in 1986, she went to sea with Maritime Overseas Corporation and received her unlimited Master’s license in 1993. In 1995, she was accepted into the Tampa Bay Pilots training program, becoming their first and only female pilot. She currently serves as Chair of both the Florida Board of Pilot Commissioners and the National Navigation Safety Advisory Council. She serves on the boards of the Mariners’ Museum and Park, and First 10 Forward, a non-profit founded by Kings Point women grads benefiting girls and women pursuing nontraditional careers.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? CK: Mentoring young mariners, training new pilots, and educating those outside the profession about what we do have been both challenging and extremely rewarding. As a female pilot, I am proud that I have been able to have an incredible professional career whilst still being a very present and engaged parent, hopefully inspiring other women to pursue and achieve their goals in the maritime industry.
CARLY REMM
Project Manager, Foss Maritime
BLYTHE DALY
Director, Associate Counsel – Marine, Royal Caribbean Group
CAPT. CAROLYN KURTZ
Captain/Pilot, Tampa Bay Pilots Association
CATHY SHANTZ HAMMOND
CEO/Owner, Inland Marine Service Inc.
Hammond began her river career in 1985. She received most of her knowledge of the marine industry from riding company vessels. She has served on the board and executive committee for TVIB (Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau), where she also served as president. She is a member of The Waterways Council and AWO, where she served on the board of directors and executive committee. Hammond was appointed to serve as a member of the Towing Safety Advisory Council (TSAC) by three different presidential cabinets and was the longest serving member on record. During her tenure on TSAC, she acted as vice chairman and participated in numerous working groups. She also participated on several working groups that were established to create the Responsible Carrier’s Program.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? CH: I am most proud of the effort that I have made on behalf of the mariner. I am hoping in some small way, I have helped honored the mariners who so deserve the recognition.
GINGER GARTE
Environmental & Sustainability Director, Lloyd’s Register North America – LR Foundation
ERRIN HOWARD
RiverWorks Discovery Director, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Garte is a sustainability advocate armed with over 29 years of maritime experience. In her current role, she helps marine clients, including ferries, naval, cargo, and cruise ships, develop courageous sustainability ambition that drives their net zero aims, to give back more to society than they consume. Her expertise includes employee engagement, resource use and optimization, port facilities and supply chain infrastructure, ESG (Environmental Social Governance) risk. She served for five years onboard NOAA’s research vessels and land-based laboratories. Her geological research led to several publications on South Florida ecosystems. She has also held roles at Carnival and Royal Caribbean Group.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? GG: I love a good challenge, so my top career highlights have also coincided with providing insight, understanding and opportunity out of our biggest sustainability threats. We are on a mission for a safer, sustainable thriving ocean economy for all! To get there, we bring together the brightest minds to decarbonize maritime, develop blueprints for green shipping corridors and implement net zero carbon strategies. Howard began her career in the river industry as an educator in a booth at Tall Stacks for the first public presentation of RiverWorks Discovery in 2006. This adventure began with one single sponsor and the vision of Mark Knoy, who at the time was president of AEP’s River Operations. Today, she promotes, markets, and oversees all aspects of RiverWorks Discovery. She is a CORBA (Central Ohio River a Business Association) board member.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? EH: Riverworks Discovery is truly my pride and joy! To be able to be involved with it from the beginning stages with AEP to today, now having almost 200 sponsors is so rewarding. Collaborating with these sponsors to organize, promote, and then actually execute our “Who Works the Rivers” events is so gratifying. Finally, our sponsors are what make this all possible. I pride myself in knowing each one of them personally, from the biggest barge lines to the single individual donors and everyone in between.
Hongling graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University with a PhD of Naval Architecture in 1999. She worked at the R&D department of Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd. in Shanghai, China until moving to Vancouver, and joined Robert Allan Ltd. in 2007. She is currently a Project Manager and Senior Naval Architect, responsible for overseeing all aspects of vessel design projects. She has worked on a variety of interesting and challenging projects over the years, including large research ships, OSVs, tugs, fireboats, gas-fueled ships and bulk carriers.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? KZ: I am very proud to have been the Robert Allan Team Lead, Naval Architecture for the design of a 38-meter LNG-powered tug for the Port of Ningbo, China. This was a very challenging project, as the concept of LNG propulsion was new to the owner, shipyard, and classification society. My primary role was to evaluate the needs of the owner’s operation and to ascertain how we could design a vessel to meet those needs within the framework of the classification societies rules.
DR. HONGLING ZHANG
P.Eng., Project Manager/Senior Naval Architect, Robert Allan Ltd.
K. DENISE RUCKER KREPP
Director of Director’s Action Group, Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy
Krepp is a sexual assault and sexual harassment advocate who started her career as a Coast Guard officer. She subsequently served as a Transportation Security Administration lawyer, House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee Senior Counsel, MARAD Chief Counsel, and private sector lobbyist. Krepp is also a locally elected D.C. official, Military Women’s Memorial Ambassador, National Maritime Historical Society Trustee, and former member of the Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee. She has been published in the Washington Post, Roll Call, Richmond Times Dispatch, and Proceedings.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? DK: My advocacy efforts have resulted in greater awareness of the sexual assaults, enhanced oversight, and new policies and procedures to report and prosecute the crimes. I requested an Inspector General investigation in 2011 into school and at sea sexual assaults of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy students. I subsequently testified twice in 2014 before a Congressionally mandated panel and before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 2019 about sexual assaults in the merchant marine community and more. the merchant marine community and more.
KELLY BAUGHMAN
Director of Environment, Crowley Shipping
Baughman supports and coaches both fleet and shoreside personnel in a wide range of matters, including environmental regulatory compliance, environmental impact reduction, and decarbonization planning and holds other roles. She’s a chairperson of the Chamber of Shipping of America Policy and Operations Committee and represents Crowley in the World Shipping Council Environmental and Climate Council, the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel Environmental Committee, the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition Measurements and Operational Efficiency Workstream, and AWO, as well as acting as an observer on the International Chamber of Shipping delegation to the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? KB: I count myself as fortunate to work with a committed, forward-thinking team at Crowley. Meaningful to me in my career is the opportunity to leverage the knowledge I gained in my 15 years at sea to contribute to the development of the next generation of industry leadership.
KATHERINE “KARRIE” TRAUTH
Senior Vice President and Global Head of Shipping & Maritime, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company
Trauth has been in her current role since 2021. She is a leading spokesperson on safety and the environment, improving the efficiency of shipping and maritime operations, and driving technology and innovation, including digitalization and decarbonization. She joined Shell in 2012, however she began her career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, serving as one of the first group of women assigned in combat ships. She later joined Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans and ultimately had responsibility for running a shipyard, delivering for the U.S. Navy Zumwalt class destroyers.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? KT: I’m honored by this recognition and hope that the work I do has the effect to both inspire and pave the way for other women who share my commitment to safety and the environment. I fundamentally value the safety of life at sea. I joined the energy industry for the opportunity to positively impact the emissions footprint of shipping. Every human should be encouraged to achieve beyond their wildest dreams. I’ve been the first woman to perform nearly every role I’ve held in my career.
MAGGIE MOON
Director of Business Development, Glosten
Moon’s career in the maritime industry began in 2011, though her first exposure to boat design predates her own memory. She was raised on the south shore of Lake Erie, where her brother launched a career as a professional naval architect. After earning her bachelor’s degree in business economics from Cleveland State University, she accepted an entry-level position at Glosten. Since that time, she has worked in virtually all aspects of business administration at the company. She was called to join the Glosten Leadership Team in 2020 and promoted to Principal in 2021.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? MM: My career trajectory began way outside of the core disciplines of a naval architecture firm. I’m proud that I was able to bring a unique perspective that added so much value to the company that I am now a principal and serving on Glosten’s Leadership Team. Hands down, I’m most proud to work alongside so many passionate and crazy smart individuals that are truly committed to tackling the increasingly complex challenges faced by our industry.
Proudly Supporting all Women
in the Maritime Sector
MARGARET GORDON
Executive Director Safety & Security, NYC Department of Transportation – Staten Island Ferry Division
Upon graduation in 1985, Gordon had a brief job conducting stability calculations on the DDG-51 and FFG-7 class vessels, followed by a few other maritime jobs. She then turned to working ashore for Marine Transport Lines. Several years later, she branched into private consulting. Her desire to work with a team on challenging projects brought her to the Staten Island Ferry, following a crash in 2003 that killed 11 people and seriously injured 70. As part of a relative thin senior management team at the time, she was tasked with developing a safety management system, implement new MTSA security regulations, accept three new ferryboats and the rebuilding of two new ferry terminals, all the while changing the culture at the ferry.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career?
MG: I am most proud of what our team at the ferry has accomplished. The culture has indeed changed, and the safety management system is a proven system. Upon my arrival to the ferry, the lost time injury rate for our employees was 127 LTIs per 200,000 work hours, which was shocking. It is now below three LTIs per 200,000 work hours, resulting in a 98% reduction.
Cavaliere graduated from SUNY Maritime in 2011, with a USCG 3rd Mate’s Unlimited License and a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Transportation. Shortly after graduation, she joined Kirby Inland Marine as a MOTV in their steersman program and gained experience transiting the Mississippi River, several of its tributaries as well as the Intracoastal canal. In 2021, she transitioned to a shoreside role as port captain to manage a fleet of 12 vessels, oversee budgets, safety and compliance initiatives, crewing, and training, while serving as vessel liaison for multiple customer contracts.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? SC: I am most proud of the growth and experience obtained while achieving my Master of Towing license on inland vessels. Being able to utilize the knowledge and skills shoreside has been an accomplishment I am very proud to have achieved. The ability to help and manage the vessels I am accountable for, while still being given the opportunity to ride the boats and continue to learn and improve in my position, is a success. Fuentes oversees the efforts to educate stakeholders on the importance of a strong U.S.- flagged maritime industry for the Transportation Institute. She also serves on the board of the Propeller Club-Port of Washington, D.C., and chairs the Regulatory Affairs Committee of the USA Maritime coalition. Fuentes has 17 years of experience in the maritime industry, serving as staff vice president of government and external affairs with the Navy League of the United States. She remains heavily involved in the Navy League. Before that, she was Legislative Administrator for ATK, an aerospace and defense company.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career? SF: The highlight of my maritime career has been helping secure the Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Merchant Marine Veterans. It’s a cause I’ve worked on throughout my career, from my days at the Navy League donating our “Write Congress” platform to America’s Merchant Marine Veterans for their letter-writing campaign, to walking around the Hill with theses WWII heroes, to a final push of collecting as many co-sponsors as possible while working at Transportation Institute.
Marshall has more than 32 years of shipyard experience. At Steiner Shipyard, a small family-owned and operated shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Ala., Marshall oversees daily operations as its president. Steiner Shipyard builds all types of new construction steel or aluminum vessels, from passenger and cargo ferries to inland river push boats and offshore supply vessels. The shipyard has also built commercial fishing trawlers. These vessels have been delivered all over the world with Marshall at the helm of the family business.
STEPHANIE CAVALIERE
Port Captain, Kirby Inland Marine
SARA FUENTES
Vice President of Government Affairs, Transportation Institute Treasurer/ Secretary, American Maritime Partnership
TARA STEINER MARSHALL
President, Steiner Shipyard
For expanded biographies and question responses of our Top Women in Maritime, please visit www.marinelog.com.
TERESA DEMEO
General Manager
She began her career at Miller’s Tug & Barge in 2012. She is responsible for all day-to-day operations of all Miller’s tugboats and barges. With over 30 years of experience, she has a strong administration and communication background acquired throughout her career. She is currently the chairperson of Towboat and Harbor Carriers Association of NY NJ, with a mission to promote and represent the interests of tugboat operators and harbor carriers in local issues relevant to the tug and barge industry in the New York/New Jersey Port area and approaches.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career?
TD: I am most proud of initiating student outreach to educate younger generations of how vital the maritime industry is to all of us. In collaboration with Borough President Fossella, The Noble Maritime Collection, NYCEDC, MARPONY, and NYCDOE CTE ISP program (i.e., McKee Technical HS, Harbor School), we are developing maritime youth education and workforce development to provide younger generations an opportunity to learn and be part of the maritime industry.
Williams began her career as a Fisheries Observer on the West Coast of British Columbia. Subsequently, she became a deckhand on fishing vessels and accumulated sea time so she could go to a maritime academy and acquire international licenses. Passenger Vessels became her gig for many years, while she worked her way up the ranks to become the first Canadian woman to command a major passenger vessel. She has taught at a maritime college and still actively sails on Ro/Ro vessels. She also does consulting work, and is a member of WISTA and The Company of Master Mariners of Canada.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career?
WW: I am a proud mariner who has worked in this industry for over 30 years. I am a mentor to young mariners and constantly encourage women to join in this wonderful profession. Less than 2% of the worlds’ global maritime workforce are women. Glass ceilings still need to be shattered. I am proud to be at the forefront of my career and able to mentor so many. My greatest achievement was becoming Canada’s first female mega cruise ship captain. Pierce started her maritime career in 1994 as a clerical temp at Ole Man River Transportation Company in Vicksburg, Miss., working with management creating a TSMS following ISO 9002 standards for Quality Control. She was hired on full time, continuing the certification and implementation of the ISO 9002 Standard throughout the fleet. In 1996, she moved to Baton Rouge, La., as part of Kirby Corporation reorganization, and over a 16-year period, she served in the River Operations Department as operations secretary, administrative assistant to vice president, payroll coordinator, and crew dispatcher.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career?
VP: To name a few, the integration of the salvage and firefighting rules into the company’s OPA 90 Spill Response Plan. Also, the compliance procedures and administration of the Vessel General Permit rules in the fleet, including preparation of the annual EPA reports. I’m also proud to have played a key role in the creation and implementation of the company’s Tank Barge Streamlined Inspection Program with the U.S. Coast Guard. Finally, I helped work on TSMS revisions for compliance with Sub M rules and more!
Cawfield joined NASSCO in 2003 as machinery systems supervisor, advancing through various leadership positions. She worked briefly outside of NASSCO for two years as a project manager for Alion Science on LHA 6 and 7 and two years in Mexico City for Sempra Energy’s affiliate IENOVA on energy construction projects throughout Mexico. Cawfield served five years in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare (Nuclear) Officer on the USS John Hancock and the USS Abraham Lincoln prior to joining NASSCO.
ML: What successes are you most proud of in terms of your maritime career?
ZC: The success that I am most proud of is being on the NASSCO Engineering Team that designed the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oilers. The oilers are a hugely capable ship class that I played a part in from the beginning of the design through the delivery of the first ship earlier this year. I was able to apply lessons and challenges from earlier classes and keep record of what improvements I plan to initiate on future designs. I look forward to implementing these changes with my team as we prepare to take on new shipbuilding contracts.
CAPT. WENDY WILLIAMS
Senior Master, Formerly Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean International
VALINDA PIERCE
Operations Coordinator, Golding Barge Line
ZOE CAWFIELD
Vice President of Engineering, General Dynamics NASSCO
Breakthrough Solutions for Greener Ferries
On November 1-2, the ferry and passenger vessel industry gathered in San Francisco to network and discuss how to decarbonize the fleets of the future.
Seamus Murphy, Executive Director, San Francisco Bay Ferry / Water Emergency Transportation Authority
Attendees networking with booth sponsors at FERRIES 2022. A cocktail reception was held on the historic Klamath ferry, sponsored by Hanson Bridgett.
Keynote address by Jim Wunderman, Board Chair, WETA; Chief Executive O cer, Bay Area Council
A panel discussion on decarbonization and alternative fuels for ferries. L-R: Steve Bomgardner (SailPlan), Sampriti Bhattacharyya (Navier), Mark Keneford (Wärtsilä), and Katherine Keith (Alaska DOT), with moderator Morgan Fanberg (Glosten)
VIP speaker David Chiu, City Attorney of San Francisco, opens the cocktail reception
A captive audience sat and listened to experts speak on a variety of ferry industry topics
Dr. Joe Pratt, CEO & Chief Technology O cer, Zero Emission Industries Anastasija Kuprijanova, Director of Business Development, Ferries & Transportation Services, Hornblower Group
Marine Log’s FERRIES 2022 saw a continued uptick in attendance.
DISTINCTIVE VESSELS of 2022
AHTI
New demonstrator and innovation vessel
WÄRTSILÄ VOYAGE unveiled its new demonstrator and innovation vessel, Ahti, at the SMM event in Hamburg in September 2022. The former German Government fishery patrol vessel was chosen as a target for retrofit technology installations to prove what is already technologically possible for the current fleet, and to create a platform for further innovation and development. With Ahti, Wärtsilä Voyage created a seaborne environment where customers can test Wärtsilä Voyage’s own technologies, as well as its technology partners’ solutions. These trials will be conducted in changeable real-life sea conditions that can be difficult and expensive to recreate in a laboratory environment.
The creation of a floating R&D facility also helped Wärtsilä Voyage cut down the cost and time barriers associated with real-life tests, returning meaningful results on a much lower risk and cost basis than going into full-scale testing directly. Ahti also creates a resource where customers and technology partners can collaborate.
In the first half of 2022, Ahti’s bridge was upgraded with a number of products from Wärtsilä Voyage’s portfolio including NACOS Platinum, SPECS, and RS24. The demonstrator vessel has also been fitted with on-the-market partner technology products from machine vision specialist Oscar Navigation and communications specialist Drynet. Soon, further tech will be onboard, making Ahti a bridge to the highly automated, connected, situationally aware and data-enabled future for maritime that Wärtsilä Voyage is aiming to create.
“Technology designed to solve the industry’s biggest challenges must be tested in situations that come as close as possible to real life scenarios,” said Hendrik Bußhoff, head of product–autonomous systems, Wärtsilä Voyage. “However, we understand that real world testing is costly and time consuming. Trialing new equipment almost always means testing it on a customer ship which can often bring with it a lot of obligations and questions about documentation, schedules, data ownership and compliance. This is why we invested in Ahti. We now have a resource that will shorten time-to-market, enable us to fail fast and innovate quicker, and compare, and understand different technologies outside of controlled environments.”
Sean Fernback, president, Wärtsilä Voyage commented: “Ahti provides a powerful tool for testing the capabilities and benefits of a tech-enabled vessel and provides us with an environment in which we can see the future, today, on our terms.”
VIKING MISSISSIPPI
Jones-Act compliant river cruise ship
VIKING RIVER CRUISES’ much-anticipated Jones Act-compliant river cruise ship Viking Mississippi embarked on its inaugural cruise and attracted much local media attention along the way when it made its debut in September 2022. Floated out from Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, La., in March 2022, the 450 foot long, 75-foot beam vessel hosts 386 guests in 193 staterooms and offers multiple passenger amenities. The five-deck river cruise ship is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships and features a Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that will be familiar to Viking guests but reimagined for Mississippi River voyages.
The Viking Mississippi is equipped with a variety of measures to maximize energy efficiency and emissions—including a diesel-electric propulsion system comprised of eight CAT C32 EPA Tier 4 diesel engines, each powering a 940 eKw water cooled generator; each engine/generator unit is individually mounted on a specially designed double raft isolation system that produces a remarkably quiet and smooth ride.
Propulsion power is provided by Voith 6-bladed propulsion thrusters driven by permanent magnet electric motors as are the pump jet bow thrusters.
EVER ALOT
World’s largest containership
EVERGREEN MARINE CORPORATION became the new holder of “the world’s largest containership” title with its 24,000 TEU Ever Alot, which was delivered by China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd. The containership measures 399.99 meters in length and 61.5 meters in width. It was the first of four new A-Class box ships set to join the Evergreen fleet from the shipyard. Some cynics may be pondering how many tugs and dredges it would take to move the ship should it follow the example of Ever Given and Ever Forward and get stuck somewhere inconvenient, but one thing Ever Alot required a lot of was paint. That was good news for Nippon Paint Marine. It supplied coating systems to all four of the 24,000 TEU A-Class sisterships being built at Hudong-Zonghua, with its extensive scope of supply including its A-LF Sea antifouling system.
MV DORADO
Fastest ferry in WETA’s fleet
THE SAN FRANCISCO Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), which operates the San Francisco Bay Ferry fleet, took delivery of the M/V Dorado in June 2022. It’s the fastest vessel in WETA’s fleet with a service speed of 36 knots and is also the first boat built for WETA that can safely dock at any of the system’s 12 ferry terminals.
The 320-passenger catamaran is the first in a series of four ordered by WETA from the Mavrik Marine shipyard in La Conner, Wash., and was designed by Australia’s One2three Naval Architects with construction management services being provided by Aurora Marine Design of San Diego. WETA plans to rotate the vessel among its routes to collect operational data and allow passengers across the ferry system to experience the boat. The vessel offers expansive outdoor passenger space to allow more riders to experience a fresh-air trip across the Bay.
“WETA is building a world class ferry system for the Bay Area and adding new vessels like M/V Dorado helps us get there,” said Jim Wunderman, Chair of the WETA Board of Directors. “This American-made ferry enhances the capacity of our fleet and provides additional flexibility for our operations, helping ensure we run the system as efficiently as possible. It also happens to be a beautiful ferry. We thank our local, state and federal partners for their investment in San Francisco Bay Ferry service.”
M/V Dorado is the ninth U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 or Tier 4 equivalent passenger ferry in WETA’s fleet. In 2017, WETA commissioned the the first Tier 4 equivalent high-speed passenger ferry in the U.S., M/V Hydrus. In 2019, WETA commissioned the nation’s first Tier 4 certified high-speed passenger ferry, M/V Pyxis.
TOBIN
Largest marine surveying vessel in series
MARKING THE LATEST EXPANSION in its Endeavor range of workboats, Theodore, Ala., based Silver Ships Inc. delivered the largest marine surveying vessel in its series, the Tobin, in August 2022, The 49-foot vessel has been custom designed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Venice Sub Office in Venice, La., to hydrographically map the mouth of the Mississippi River.
The mission-specific hydrographic survey vessel allows researchers to accurately and effectively obtain and document data on the rapidly changing waters in the Mississippi River. With the intent of keeping waterways open and preventing obstructions to marine navigation, Tobin is equipped to handle challenging river terrain and will conduct condition surveys of the river to further the safety of marine operations, says Jason Powers, director of business development for Silver Ships.
The vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar C18 Tier 3 engines, developing 800 hp each to reach optimal speeds resulting in the prevention of research delays, which is important considering the frequent changes in Mississippi River conditions. The single Caterpillar C2.2 Tier 3 genset provides 25 ekW of electric power for Tobin’s air conditioning, echo sounder and other electrical needs onboard.
CAPT. JOSEPH BISSO
Fifth ASD tractor tug built for Bisso
BISSO TOWBOAT COMPANY INC., based in Luling, La., took delivery of its newest ship-assist tug, the 6,008 bhp ASD tractor tug Capt. Joseph Bisso in early 2022. The 100- by 38- by 13.5-foot vessel is the fifth ASD tractor tug built for Bisso in the past seven years by the Main Iron Works shipyard in Houma, La. With an estimated bollard pull of 75 tons, Capt. Joseph Bisso is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main engines, each generating 3,004 bhp at 1,800 rpm. They drive two Schottel SRP 460 FP Z-drives. The Z-drives feature 2,500 mm diameter four-blade stainless steel propellers in stainless steel nozzles.
Electrical service is provided by two 118 kW Caterpillar generators powered by two Caterpillar C4.4 engines. The tug is equipped with a JonRie Series 240 escort winch, featuring 500 feet of 3-inch diameter Saturn 12 line with 749,000 pounds of breaking strength. Other features include USCG-approved engine room monitoring and fire/smoke alarm systems, fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system, Simrad navigation/electronics, soundproof insulation throughout engine room/crew quarters, stainless steel bitts, and bow staple and four bunk rooms with seven berths. Tankage includes capacities for 30,162 gallons diesel, 11,000 gallons potable water, 1,825 gallons each of lube and hydraulic oil and 2,000 gallons of Diesel Exhaust Fluid. The Capt. Joseph Bisso will have a crew complement of four and carries an ABS International Loadline in addition to being built to Subchapter M certification and receiving a USCG COI.
The Capt. Joseph Bisso brings the total number of tugs in the Bisso fleet to 12, all built by Main Iron Works. Bisso Towboat operates the largest fleet of ASD tractor tugs on the Mississippi River, with nine such vessels, and the youngest fleet of tugs on the river, with an average age of 13 years across the fleet.
R.B. WEEKS
PANAMA CITY, FLA., based Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.., launched the trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD) R.B. Weeks (ESG Hull 258) in a ceremony at its Allanton, Fla., shipyard. With a hopper capacity of 8,550 cubic yards, the 356 foot long vessel is the second trailing suction hopper dredge the shipbuilder has constructed for Cranford, N.J.headquartered Weeks Marine, Inc. It is named in honor of Richard B. Weeks, a co-founder of Weeks Marine who is married to Magdalen Weeks, the namesake of the sister vessel Magdalen (ESG 256), delivered by Eastern in 2017.
This second TSHD is set for an on-time delivery in 2023 following outfitting and trials at Eastern’s Port St. Joe Facility. “Eastern Shipbuilding Group has enjoyed a strong partnership with Weeks Marine, Inc’s. team over multiple projects, and we are proud to build another dredge vessel that will enhance our waterways and restore our coastlines,” said Joey D’Isernia, president of Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc.
In nearly all respects, the R.B. Weeks is identical to the Magdalen delivered by ESG in 2017. The vessel includes an electrical power, propulsion, and dredge machinery package by Royal IHC, GE (now Wabtec Marine) EPA Tier IV engines, along with several accommodation and crew comfort upgrades.
“We are excited to see the launch of our newest trailing suction hopper dredge, the R.B. Weeks, which will join her sister vessel in various dredging activities primarily aiding the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to maintain ports, harbors, and other waterways to ensure ship navigation is possible,” said Eric Ellefsen, president, Weeks Marine, Inc. “These two vessels have an equivalent hopper size and pumping capacity, and we look forward to utilizing the R.B. Weeks, putting her to work deepening shipping lanes, nourishing beaches lost to erosion, and completing coastal restoration due to storm damage.”
MV ZEPHYR
Final towboat in a series delivered to Kirby
C&C MARINE AND REPAIR, Belle Chasse, La. delivered the 6,600-horsepower triplescrew towboat M/V Zephyr, the final vessel in a series of three, to Kirby Inland Marine LP earlier this year. Kirby is leasing all three towboats from Nashville, Tenn.-based Hines Furlong Line Inc. The triple-screw 6,600hp towboat measures 170- by 50-feet with a pilothouse eyeline height of 39 feet, 3 inches.
The towboat was designed by CT Marine LLC, of Portland, Maine. It is powered by three Cummins QSK60-M main engines, provided by Cummins Mid-South, that are paired with three Reintjes WAF 1173 H/V reduction gears, provided by Karl Senner LLC. The service power is provided by three Cummins QSM11DM, 275 kW generators, and the conventional steering system hydraulic power unit was provided by EMI Marine.
The vessel is outfitted with three 100-inch diameter stainless-steel fixed pitch propellers, provided by Sound Propeller Systems Inc., and features a double steering rudder system. The accommodations include a total of 12 beds (11 crew, plus one guest).
SPARTAN
Electric-hybrid tugboat for Seabulk
MASTER BOAT BUILDERS INC., Coden, Ala., delivered the electrichybrid tug Spartan to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-headquartered SEACOR group member Seabulk in March 2022. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd., the tug was built to meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations and is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, including escort notation.
The vessel has an overall length of 98 feet, beam of 43 feet, and bollard pull of 90 tons. The integrated hybrid propulsion system was provided by Thompson Tractor and includes two EPA Tier 4 certified Caterpillar 3512E main engines, each producing 2,550 horsepower and two Berg MTA 628 azimuth thrusters, three Caterpillar generators, two ABB propulsion motors, and associated variable frequency drives.
Berg’s hybrid electric propulsion system includes high levels of redundancy for safety as well as the ability to switch seamlessly between operating modes with the push of a button. A vessel can run on main engines only, gensets only, or a combination of the two, optimizing energy use across the entire operating profile. A tug in transit can minimize energy consumption and eliminate main engine wear by running on a single generator set. In hybrid mode, power is balanced between the diesel engines and electrical motors to optimize fuel consumption, maneuvering response, and bollard performance.
“During the first weeks in operation, Spartan has been living up to the promises made for hybrid propulsion vessels,” said Seabulk president and CEO Daniel Thorogood. “Seabulk’s commitment to improving the sustainability of its operations is represented by its investment in a new generation of vessels whose flexibility is proving that hybrid tug technology is our choice for the future.”
“The Spartan was the latest addition to Seabulk’s fleet and constitutes the first of two hybrid diesel-electric vessels commissioned from Master Boat Builders,” said Seabulk CEO Daniel Thorogood. “She is representative of their advanced workmanship and ability to deliver modern, cutting-edge marine technology.”
“As the maritime industry continues to evolve and modernize its fleet, Master Boat Builders is proud to deliver this hybrid tugboat, which will serve as the most efficient technologically advanced tug operating in the U.S.,” said Garret Rice, president of Master Boat Builders.
CLEAN CANAVERAL AND POLARIS
Latest in U.S. LNG bunkering infrastructure
CODEN, ALA.-BASED SHIPBUILDER Master Boat Builders Inc. delivered the new 4,000 horsepower tug Polaris to Polaris New Energy in March 2022. The delivery was the latest development in the expansion of the U.S. LNG bunkering infrastructure. Paired with the 5,500-cubic-meter bunkering barge Clean Canaveral, the two vessels form the largest Jones Act-compliant articulated tug barge (ATB) providing LNG bunker fuel in the U.S.
“Master Boat Builders is committed to producing the most dependable and reliable tugs in the Maritime Industry, and we thank Polaris New Energy, LLC for giving us the opportunity to prove it,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders. “Polaris will be used to its full potential, helping fuel the cruise ship industry’s new LNG-powered ships when they arrive in Port Canaveral later this year.” McAllister Towing LNG Services LLC will operate the Polaris/Clean Canaveral ATB when it starts providing LNG bunkering services.
2022:
WEIGHTY CHALLENGES AND A FEW SURPRISES
IT’S BEEN QUITE A YEAR. It began with container shipping supply chain disruptions. It continued with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has had reverberations throughout shipping that are still ongoing. Stories on these and other important issues — not least the green transition — have been drawing considerable reader engagement on our website. Still, it’s not always the weightiest issues that draw immediate attention. Bearing in mind, let’s look at the 10 stories that got the most views on our site this year.
Chouest icebreaker to get a USCG paint job?
M/V Aiviq off Alaska in 2012.
Among stories getting the most attention this year, USMMC cadet known as Midshipman X revealed her identity.
PERHAPS SURPRISINGLY the story getting the most attention has been the Coast Guard interest in purchasing Edison Chouest Offshore’s M/V Aiviq for conversion to an interim heavy icebreaker.
The Coast Guard’s proposed FY2023 budget requested $125 million for the purchase of an existing commercially available polar icebreaker to augment the Coast Guard’s polar icebreaking capacity until the new Polar Security Cutters enter service. Under the Coast Guard’s proposal, the Coast Guard would conduct a full and open competition for the purchase, the commercially available icebreaker selected for acquisition would then be modified for Coast Guard operations following and the ship would enter service 18 to 24 months after being acquired.
Back in May, the USCG issued a request for information setting out its requirements for the candidate “commercially available vessel” that, essentially specified the Aiviq.
The Aiviq has been proposed for this type of conversion before. Back in 2017, Davie Shipbuilding made a proposal (Project Resolute) to the Canadian government that eventually resulted in three former AHTs vessels being converted to interim icebreakers. Canada did not go along with Davie’s proposal to convert a fourth vessel into a heavy icebreaker. That vessel was the Aiviq.
Here’s how Davie described it: “Aiviq was built in 2012 by North American Shipbuilders for use on the Shell Alaska drilling campaign. She is the world’s most powerful, privately-owned icebreaker. With Polar Class 3, this vessel can operate in the harshest of environments. Built to tow large drilling rigs, M/V Aiviq is perfectly suited as a multipurpose, icebreaking towage and oil spill response vessel.”
At press time, this one was still in the hands of the legislators who hold the purse strings.
Midshipman X is anonymous no longer
THE SECOND MAJOR STORY this year was that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet first identified only as “Midshipman X” had revealed her identity. The cadet became known as Midshipman X when she posted a harrowing account on the Maritime Legal Aid & Advocacy blog that recounted the sexual harassment that he underwent her time aboard ship during the Sea Year portion of her USMMA training. She revealed he name, Hope Hicks, in June when she filed suit in New York State Court against Maersk Line Limited (MLL), alleging that it had failed to adequately protect USMMA midshipmen from sexual assault and sexual harassment while working aboard Maersk ships as part of the USMMA’s Sea Year program.
There can be no “happy ending” to this sort of case, but at least this story has an outcome. In November attorneys for Hicks and Maersk Line announced that they had resolved the litigation and had mutually agreed that neither side would disclose details of their agreement.
“It is important to me that my case has brought greater awareness of the issue of sexual assault and harassment at sea. The leadership of MLL has expressed the need for change. The changes that MLL has proposed are an important first step, but there is still a lot of work to be done in the maritime industry,” said Hicks.
“We want to be absolutely clear that the events Ms. Hicks describes are unacceptable. No matter who and where you are, those who work with us must feel safe and protected in our work environment,” said William Woodhour, CEO, MLL.
MLL further stated that the company has initiated a full program of training, reporting, and accountability internally and is working externally with all industry stakeholders, to include its industry partners, labor unions, the Maritime Administration, the maritime academies, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Silverback Marine’s latest offering is a fully collared, large-door landing craft.
A landing craft with a collar
NOT ALL THE STORIES attracting reader attention involved deep issues or high drama. Our third ranking story was that Tacoma, Wash., aluminum boat builder Silverback Marine had released details of its latest brainchild for the small commercial workboat market: a fully collared, large door landing craft, offering all the utility and versatility of landing craft type vessels but adding the protection of the type of collar widely used in RHIBs (rigid hulled inflatable boats).
Evergreen does it again
ONE OF LAST YEAR’S most closely followed sagas was the disruption to world seaborne trade caused by the blockage of the Suez Canal by the giant Evergreen containership Ever Given. This year, another Evergreen vessel, the Ever Forward, was in the headlines when it grounded in the Chesapeake Bay. The story that made our number four ranking was that Evergreen had declared general average (GA) in the case after a third attempt to refloat the 1,095 foot long ship had failed. To grossly oversimplify things, GA means that cargo owners are required to take a share of the salvage cost and is an indication that a salvage case is getting expensive. A little over two weeks later, a massive salvage effort succeeded. It involved the removal of hundreds of containers from the ship with crane barges and dredging to a depth of 43 feet, resulting in 206,280 cubic yards of material being dredged and taken for use in an ecosystem restoration project. After the containers were removed, two pulling barges, two tugs from Donjon-Smit two tugs from Moran, and two tugs from McAllister freed the containership, with a full moon also helping things along.
The Ever Forward grounded in the Chesapeake Bay.
Garrett Rice: TV star
WHILE MASTER BOAT BUILDERS may be best known as a builder of some of the most technically advanced tugs in the world, what brought the company to the number five ranking in this year’s stories was that the company and its president Garrett Rice were the stars of an episode of the Discovery Channel hit series “Dirty Jobs.” Mike Rowe, host of Discovery’s hit series, “Dirty Jobs.”
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet losses
MULTIPLE STORIES related to the consequences of Russia’s attack on Ukraine drew solid attention throughout the year. The one that reached the number six position was the news that Ukraine had taken out a Russian Navy tug used to supply the Russian forces then occupying Snake Island. Dramatic video demonstrated just how effective the Ukrainian missile strike on the tug was and may explain why this story drew even more hits than those on the sinking of the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship, the Moskva.
Bollinger acquires ST Engineering’s Mississippi shipyards
THE BIG NEWS toward the end of the year — and making it into our No. 7 spot — was Singapore Technologies Engineering’s sale of its U.S. shipyard subsidiaries, Halter Marine and ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore, Inc. (STEHMO) to Bollinger Shipyards for a cash consideration of $15 million. The ST Engineering announcement revealed the two yards had incurred a combined net loss before tax of $256 million in the last five years (2017-2021), with an annual net loss before tax that ranged from about $40 million to $60 million.
Bollinger has renamed the yards Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding and Bollinger Mississippi Repair and notes that all ongoing programs have been conveyed with the transaction, including the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program for the U.S. Coast Guard and the Auxiliary Personnel LighterSmall (APL(S)) program for the U.S. Navy.
Navy eyes LUSVs
WITH UKRAINIAN DRONES exposing the vulnerabilities of conventional surface warships, it’s perhaps not surprising that the Chief of Naval Operations’ Navigation Plan 2022 sees the U.S Navy’s fleet of the 2040s as including “a host of manned, unmanned and optionally-manned platforms operating under, on, and above the seas.” Our No. 8 story this year was the news that six companies had been awarded contracts for “continued studies of a large unmanned surface vessel (LUSV).” The companies awarded the contracts were Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Pascagoula, Miss.; Lockheed Martin Corp., Baltimore, Md.; Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, Wis.; Bollinger Shipyards Lockport LLC, Lockport, La.; Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Ala., and Gibbs & Cox Inc., Arlington, Va.
Gibbs & Cox wins DDG(X) contract
TO WHAT EXTENT LUSVs replace do replace conventional surface combatants remains to be seen. Meantime, one of the future Navy programs getting close attention in shipbuilding circles is the DDG(X) replacement for the current DDG 51 destroyers. Our ninth ranking story was that Gibbs & Cox, which is the largest independent naval architecture and marine engineering firm in the U.S., had been awarded a $29.5 million contract that could be worth almost $319 million if all options are exercised. It is for supporting surface combatant ship design and engineering efforts for the Navy’s Future Surface Combatant Force, primarily in support of the DDG(X) program, as well as other emerging ship concepts.
CTV new entrant starts building its fleet
ROUNDING OUT THIS YEAR’S TOP 10 was news that a new U.S. offshore wind crew transfer vessel (CTV) operator, Windea CTV LLC, had started construction of its first of three vessels. Two of the three 30-meter, hybridready Incat Crowther designed CTVs are being constructed at St. Johns Ship Building, Palataka, Fla., and the third at Gulf Craft, Franklin, La.
The WINDEA CTV fleet is owned and operated by MidOcean Wind LLC and Hornblower Wind LLC. (a member of Hornblower Group), with technical and operational support from WINDEA Offshore shareholder Ems Maritime Offshore GmbH, which operates a fleet of CTVs in the European market.
The CTVs are scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and will immediately go into service for GE Renewables. They will first operate out of New Bedford, Mass., during the Vineyard Wind I construction period.
One take-away from this story is that it could mark a turning point in Jones Act CTV construction that will see it move from a trickle to a steady stream.
Windea CTV LLC started construction on its first of three vessels.
