New Ship For U.S. Fleet, New Jobs For AMO

New Ship For U.S. Fleet, New Jobs For AMO

Pacific-Gulf Marine To Operate Reflagged 'Industrial Challenger' Under U.S. Registry

      Pacific-Gulf Marine will operate the new heavylift vessel MV Industrial Challenger under U.S. registry, providing new jobs for American Maritime Officers members in the international shipping trades.
      Built in 2000, the 8,000 dwt 393-foot Industrial Challenger will be shifted from the Bahamian flag to the U.S. flag and is expected to operate in the U.S. to South America shipping lanes while pursuing other opportunities to transport commercial and U.S. government cargoes in the international trades.
      "This is an exciting project for PGM and a positive addition to the U.S.-flag commercial fleet," said Capt. Peter Johnson, President and CEO of Pacific-Gulf Marine. "The support from both the AMO and SIU played a significant role in moving this project forward."
      The Industrial Challenger is the latest ship to be brought under U.S. registry through an agreement between the U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration (MARAD) to reduce the time required to re-flag certain vessels. The ship will be enrolled in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) and will be available to the Department of Defense for sealift. AMO will provide all the licensed officers aboard the ship.
      "I am very pleased to see an American company pursuing this opportunity in U.S.-flag shipping," said AMO National President Michael McKay. "New jobs for AMO and a new ship in the U.S. merchant fleet help to keep us on the right foot."
      In order for a vessel to be re-flagged under U.S. registry, it must earn a Certificate of Inspection from the Coast Guard. The agreement between the Coast Guard and MARAD hastens the certification process. Although the Industrial Challenger is not participating in the Maritime Security Program (MSP), it meets the requirements to enter that program and is thus qualified for the streamlined certification procedure, according to reports from Washington.
      "The addition of heavy-lift capacity to the U.S.-flag fleet will be a valuable asset to the U.S. military during war or national emergencies through assured access provided by the VISA program," said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. "The reflagging of the Industrial Challenger is a positive development and highlights new considerations American companies are making concerning the viability of the U.S.-flag vessel operations as a result of the current domestic and international events."
      Also commenting on the addition of the Industrial Challenger to the U.S. merchant fleet was Maritime Administrator William Schubert.
      "The re-flagging of the Industrial Challenger is exciting news for the U.S.-flag fleet and we encourage other carriers to utilize resources MARAD can provide them," Schubert said.
      Formed in 1976, Pacific-Gulf Marine currently operates 13 vessels under contract with AMO, including the car carriers Tellus, Fidelio, Faust and Tanabata, and the Ready Reserve Force vessels Cape Florida, Cape Flattery, Cape Farewell, Diamond State, Equality State, Gem State, Grand Canyon State and Keystone State.

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