Contagion Rages in America: responding to COVID-19

The nation grappled with the many effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but none more than the families that were torn apart by intense loss, and the health care workers bravely caring for the sick despite gaps in protection. While shock waves reverberated through the economy, more than 90% of the United States was in some kind of quarantine and record numbers of Americans were suddenly out of work.

Virus shocks the economy: pandemic changes life and work in U.S.

The coronavirus spread, the global economy staggered, and in the U.S. a national emergency was declared. California issued a "stay at home" order for its 40 million residents, as major cities and counties went into quarantine mode with shelter-in-place orders for all but critically important workers. The Coast Guard closed its 17 REC's and extended expirations on some credentials. Taking unusual precautions, SUP halls remained open for essential dispatch services as part of the national maritime supply chain and security infrastructure...

Coronavirus disrupts Pacific shipping

The coronavirus outbreak has sickened or killed scores of people and many millions more at risk. Now comes evidence of deep toll on shipping as well...

Largest “Con-Ro” ship ever built in U.S. Lurline sails again into Hawaiian trade lane

Matson, Inc. took delivery of its newest vessel, the largest combination container / roll-on, roll-off (“con-ro”) ship ever built in the United States, from General Dynamics NASSCO.
 

Congress extends and enhances Maritime Security Program to 2035

House and Senate negotiators on pending defense legislation have agreed to language that would extend the Maritime Security Program for an additional ten years, to fiscal year 2035.

Transportation Labor sets national agenda:demands include infrastructure spending

As a renewed wave of worker activism sweeps the country, the leaders of 33 transportation unions focused on ways to improve the lives of working families by creating and protecting middle-class transportation jobs, investing in infrastructure, and enhancing onthe-job safety during the Executive Committee meeting of the Transportation Trades

Massive activation of reserve fleet

United States Military Sealift Command commanders overseeing the U.S Transportation Command’s recent turbo activation are providing new details about the large-scale “stress test” exercise involving dozens of reserve ships and hundreds of civilian mariners.

Maritime tragedy off Santa Barbara coast

The full and precise horror of the fire and sinking of the dive boat Conception is still unknown, but enough details have emerged to list the Labor Day weekend tragedy
among the worst maritime disasters in decades.

Crew detained in Gulf standoff

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized an offshore supply vessel on July 31, adding to tensions in the Gulf of Hormuz.

House of Representatives passes National Defense Authorization Act

The full House of Representatives passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act on an unprecedented strictly party-line vote.