Category Archives: Merchant Marine

U.S. Releases Video of Alleged Gulf of Oman Tanker Attacks

U.S. Releases Video of Alleged Gulf of Oman Tanker Attacks

Screenshot of a US Navy video in which US Central Command claims Iranian forces are captured removing a limpet mine from Kokuka Courageous on June 13, 2019.

This post has been updated with a new statement from U.S. Central Command.

U.S. Central Command has released a video and photographs that officials say prove the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy attacked two merchant tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday. Read More

Keeping Up With the Jones Act

Keeping Up With the Jones Act

World War II Merchant Marine recruiting poster.

In the last several weeks, the Jones Act has drawn headlines over how it has shaped the U.S. and worldwide shipping industry. After almost 100 years as a part of federal law, there’s much misunderstanding as to what the law actually does. Read More

MARAD: U.S. Must Address Military Sealift Vessel and Crew Shortage

MARAD: U.S. Must Address Military Sealift Vessel and Crew Shortage

SATTAHIP, Thailand—A UH-60 Black Hawk is raised from Military Sealift Command’s voyage-charter, general purpose, heavy-lift vessel MV Ocean Grand at the pier in Sattahip, Thailand. Military Sealift Command Far East photo.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The few American-built and-operated tankers available to carry fuel for aircraft, tanks, fighting vehicles and trucks into war zones throws into sharp relief the strategic sealift problems facing the nation, a senior Maritime Administration official told USNI News on Tuesday.

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Kearsarge ARG, 22nd MEU Enter U.S. 6th Fleet Area Of Operations

Kearsarge ARG, 22nd MEU Enter U.S. 6th Fleet Area Of Operations

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group steams in formation on Dec. 24, 2018. Navy photo.

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) spent Christmas in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, after rescuing a British merchant sailor shortly after leaving homeport.

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Panel: Chinese Investments to Boost Trade Come as U.S. Commercial Shipping in Decline

Panel: Chinese Investments to Boost Trade Come as U.S. Commercial Shipping in Decline

Chinese sailors watch a People’s LIberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship pull into Djibouti. Xinhua Photo

China, through its ongoing One Belt/One Road Initiative, is increasingly challenging the United States’ ability “to move freely in a business environment and across the oceans,” the retired vice admiral heading one of the nation’s top trade groups said Monday. Read More