With your first steps as a cadet onto the Maritime Academy campus, your first union dues payment or first line thrown ashore from the tug, you are lectured on the importance of the “Jones Act”. A constant reminder throughout a US Seafarer’s career of commitment, loyalty and support for the legislation.
The U.S. inland waterway system is a critical and underutilized component of the domestic supply chain that serves non-contiguous markets originating in or destined for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions. For transportation service providers and shippers that operate in the domestic trade of the U.S.
On April 17, 2025, the Office of the US Trade Representative (“USTR”) published a notice of action (the “USTR Notice”) implementing its port fee proposal, first announced on February 21, 2025. The rules differ substantially from the February proposal (summarized here). The calculation of the fees has changed to a net tonnage-based fee (or for certain vessels
In the ever-evolving quest for cleaner, more efficient energy sources in maritime vessel operations, nuclear power has re-emerged as a topic of serious discussion, as shipowners eye the International Maritime Organization push to ‘net zero’ on or around 2050. Admittedly, there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution for the entirety of maritime premised on the wide variety of routes and ship types
New-York-based McAllister Towing and Transportation Company has welcomed a newbuild tractor tug to its fleet under the name of Isabel McAllister.The christening and the launch ceremony for the newbuild tug took place earlier in January, according to an update shared by Brian Buckley McAllister, President at McAllister Towing.
PANAMA CITY, FL – Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) announced the successful delivery of the LONG ISLAND (ESG Hull 228), a newly constructed passenger and auto ferry, to the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, a subsidiary of McAllister Towing. The vessel, designed to provide seamless transportation between Bridgeport, CT, and Port Jefferson, NY, across Long Island Sound
On January 1, 2025, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation will come into force. The regulation may require stakeholders to start taking measures now and the BIMCO FuelEU Maritime Clause for Time Charter Parties 2024 is developed to help stakeholders align their contractual frameworks. The clause was adopted by BIMCO’s Documentary Committee on November 25, 2024.
A ceremony attended by dignitaries has marked the official ‘birth date’ for the two new ships which will serve the Penzance to Isles of Scilly route for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG).The keel laying is a milestone in the build process, recognized for centuries as the ‘birth’ of a new ship and an important point for the Scillonian IV passenger ferry and the cargo vessel, Menawethan.
Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry will begin testing renewable diesel fuel as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel. This initiative is expected to slash carbon emissions by 60% or more, providing nearly 30 million annual riders with a cleaner way to traverse the city's waterways.
Fincantieri and MSC Group have celebrated the progress on the construction of cruise ships for the Explora Journeys fleet, marking the delivery of Explora II, the coin ceremony for Explora III, and the steel cutting for Explora IV cruise ships.The cruise ships are part of the fleet of six ships belonging to Explora Journeys, the luxury brand recently launched by the MSC Group.
The Documentary Committee of BIMCO has approved revisions to its War Risk Clauses to reflect changes in the geopolitical challenges facing the shipping industry.The Documentary Committee reviewed the existing BIMCO War Risk Clauses and agreed on the updated versions, BIMCO War Risk Clause for Voyage Charter Parties 2025 (VOYWAR 2025) and the BIMCO War Risk Clause for Time Charter Parties 2025
The 12th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12), held in London from January 27 to 31 January 2025, finalized guidance on in-water cleaning of ships’ biofouling.The guidance is expected to be approved by MEPC 83 in April, says DNV. The guidance includes voluntary procedures related to planning, documentation