SUP-contracted Matson and Patriot awarded 10 RRF ships

The Sailors’ Union gained new work last month when Matson Navigation Company and Patriot Contract Services were awarded contracts to operate and maintain 10 vessels in the Ready Reserve Force. Seven of the ships are new for the SUP.

Losing our sea legs

 In the 1950s, there were more than 1,000 U.S. ships engaged in international trade. Each of these vessels employed and trained a pool of U.S. mariners we could rely on in a time of war to sail our forces to the fight. Today, there are only 78.

Victories for U.S. Merchant Marine! MSP funding increased, Ex-Im Bank reauthorized

President Obama signed omnibus spending legislation approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate that includes much needed and significant new funding levels for the Maritime Security Program.

Danish and French companies in talks to buy APL parent NOL

Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), the parent company of American President Lines, confirmed this month that it is in preliminary and separate negotiations with Denmark’s A.P. Moller-Maersk and France’s CMA CGM for the possible sale of the company.

U.S.-flag ship sinks -- all hands lost

The maritime community is in mourning after the tragic sinking of the El Faro, a U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off and lift-off vessel owned by TOTE.

Save American jobs: Renew the charter of the Export-Import Bank!

The failure by Congress to renew the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States is costing American workers, including American maritime workers, jobs.

Multi-nation trade pacts threaten the Jones Act

President Obama signed into law a bill renewing Trade Promotion Authority, known as "fast-track" which grants the administration the authority to negotiate trade pacts with other nations and present final deals to Congress without the possibility of amendment. 

APL parent NOL denies sale report

The Wall Street Journal reported that Temasek Holdings, a Singapore owned investment company, has put Neptune Orient Lines, the parent company of APL, up for sale.

Anti-Union legislation targets maritime workers

Legislation that would gut the collective bargaining rights of maritime labor, both shoreside and seagoing, was introduced on June 4, by Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado).

Matson plays corporate shell game in purchase of Horizon Lines’ Alaska trade route

Matson stated that since the transaction was a "merger" the company would honor Horizon’s existing collective bargaining agreements.