House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) was presented with the Propeller Club's 2003 Salute to Congress Award during a ceremony in May.
Maersk Line Ltd. can assume direct operating control of 15 Maersk Sealand containerships in the Maritime Security Program, the Maritime Administration's chief counsel said April 29.
The introduction of legislation to renew and expand the Maritime Security Program (MSP) is expected soon in the Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has purchased two vintage American cruise ships, the SS Independence and the SS United States, saving both ships from the scrap yard and adding to the company's potential to expand the U.S.-flagged cruise fleet.
A supplemental spending bill signed by the President includes an amendment requiring enforcement of U.S.-flag cargo preference laws on all reconstruction and humanitarian aid shipments to Iraq
The following letter was addressed to Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and General Government, and to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee. The letter was signed by 21 Senators, including Trent Lott (R-MS), John Breaux (D-LA), Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tom Carper (D-DE), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), George Allen (R-VA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), John Warner (R-VA), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).
The Title XI shipbuilding loan guarantee program received an infusion of funding for 2003 as part of a supplemental appropriations bill for military operations and relief efforts in Iraq that was recently signed by the President.
American Maritime Officers in April manned one of two Jones Act newbuilds that will provide lasting employment for licensed deck and engine officers in the American merchant fleet.
The Cape Washington, activated from the Ready Reserve Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom, is operated by Crowley Liner Services and manned by AMO and the Seafarers International Union. Each officer and crew member aboard the ship was presented with the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal from the Maritime Administration for their work aboard the vessel in support of the Army's 4th Infantry Division during the war.
