Government Update News


A tribute to our nation’s Fourth Arm of Defense

Dec 31, 2024

On Nov. 10, the day before Veterans Day, I had the honor of participating in a celebration of another group of veterans whose contributions as the nation’s Fourth Arm of Defense is not widely known: The Merchant Marine.The U.S. Merchant Marine…

India inks 19.9 bln rupees deal with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders

Dec 30, 2024

India's defence ministry said on Monday it had signed a 19.9 billion rupees ($233 million) contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders MAZG.NS for technology that allows submarines to stay underwater for longer.The ministry also signed a 8.7 billion…

USCG: Do as I Say; Not as I Do

Dec 26, 2024

Irony: (noun) a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result. But this is anything but funny.It has been a busy news month for the nation’s fifth uniformed service; the United States Coast Guard…

Iranian Oil Prices to China Spike as Shipping Sanctions Bite

Dec 26, 2024

The price of Iranian crude oil sold to China has risen to the highest in years as fresh U.S. sanctions have tightened shipping capacity and driven up logistics costs, trade sources and analysts said.Rising prices for Iranian oil as well as Russian…

Trump names Panama Envoy, Talks Tough on Panama Canal

Dec 26, 2024

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has picked Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama after having threatened for the U.S. to reassert control over the Panama Canal it handed over 25 years ago.Trump…

NTSB's Alvin Brown Appointed Vice Chairman

Dec 26, 2024

Alvin Brown, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board and former mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, was designated Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, by President Biden to serve as vice chairman of the independent safety agency. “I am honored to…

Port of Oakland Box Volume Finishing 2024 Strong

Dec 26, 2024

The Port of Oakland’s container business continues to grow. Total cargo volume shot up 10% year-to-date, January through November 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.“We are optimistic that strong container volume will continue through the end of the year…

Black Sea Spill Volunteers Beg Putin for Help

Dec 23, 2024

Volunteers helping to clean up a major oil spill along Russia's Black Sea coast appealed in a video released on Monday for President Vladimir Putin to urgently send federal aid, saying that they and local authorities were overwhelmed.The pollution…

USCG Takes Ownership of Commercial Icebreaker

Dec 23, 2024

The Coast Guard announced it accepted ownership of the motor vessel Aiviq, a 360-foot polar class 3-equivalent icebreaker, from an Edison Chouest Offshore subsidiary Friday.The vessel, acquired Dec. 11, will enhance U.S. operational presence…

Trump Threatens to Retake Control of Panama Canal

Dec 23, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal on Sunday, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage and drawing a sharp rebuke from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino…

Volunteers Battle Black Sea Oil Spill

Dec 20, 2024

Volunteers struggled on Friday to shovel up tons of sticky oil from Russia's Black Sea coastline following what President Vladimir Putin has called an ecological disaster.The oil spilled from two ageing Russian oil tankers that were severely…

Rahn elected Manatee County Port Authority chairman

Dec 19, 2024

Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn has been elected chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority.“It is a privilege to chair SeaPort Manatee’s governing board as we continue to advance key infrastructure enhancements and hurricane recovery…

MISNA Announces Leadership Transition

Dec 19, 2024

Stephen Lyman named President and Captain Steve White transitions to Chairman.The Maritime Information Services of North America (MISNA), a leading association providing information, communications, and services to promote safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound maritime operations…

SHIPS for America Act rolled out on the Hill

Dec 19, 2024

The bipartisan, bicameral bill will fuel U.S. economy, strengthen national security by responding to China’s threat over the oceans. Currently, the number of U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce is 80; China has 5,500.Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)…

Germany’s Mosel River Remains Closed for Lock Repairs

Dec 19, 2024

The Mosel River in Germany will remain closed to cargo shipping in January despite the success of a temporary lock helping to free vessels trapped on the river after an accident, navigation authorities said on Thursday.The temporary lock will…

Current News

Russian Oil Vessels Forced to Divert From India Under US Sanctions

Hanseatic Global Terminals Launches Latin America Expansion

Two CK Hutchison-Operated Ports Near Panama Could See State Partnerships Take Over

As China's Economy Slows, So Too Does Dry Bulk Shipping

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