T-5 tanker charter remains with OSI under SBA ruling

T-5 tanker charter remains with OSI under SBA ruling

Longtime AMO jobs secure on four defense fuel vessels operated around the world for Military Sealift Command

Military Sealift Command in early July awarded the operating charter for four T-5 tankers to Ocean Shipholdings, Inc., the company which currently operates the ships and employs American Maritime Officers members in all licensed positions aboard them.

Previously, Keystone Shipping had been selected for the new charter, which was designated as a small-business set-aside award by MSC.

Keystone's status as a small business was challenged and the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) determined that Keystone did not qualify as a small business and was ineligible to compete for the contract. Keystone employs non-union deck officers and members of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association.

Keystone's subsequent appeal of the SBA decision was rejected and MSC announced the charter award to Ocean Shipholdings on July 8.

The four ships covered by the charter are the USNS Paul Buck, USNS Lawrence Giannella, USNS Richard Matthiesen and USNS Samuel Cobb.

A fifth T-5 tanker, the privately-owned Gus Warren Darnell is also operated under AMO contract for MSC by Ocean Shipholdings.

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