The Maritime Academy News

Many claim to have ‘saltwater in their veins,’ but all you have to do is walk into the corner office of John McDonald, the new Chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), to see that him saying “I was born into maritime” is not hyperbole. The first thing that greets you is a Dusan Kadlec nighttime painting of the Brooklyn Bridge, a painting that has special meaning to him as he fondly remembers being on a boat in New York harbor in 1983, his father USCG Captain of the Port of New York at that time, watching the fireworks over the bridge for the celebration.

For Capt. Paul C. LaMarre III, the maritime industry isn’t a career choice as much as it is a family inheritance — and, in his words, “all I’ve known my entire life.” In a recent interview with Maritime Reporter TV, Captain LaMarre gives unique insights on the operating efficiently, effectively and safely on the Great Lakes system – the United States’ ‘Fourth Sea’ – and with passion, intellect and purpose advocates for a strong U.S. maritime industry.A third-generation Great Lakes mariner…

On February 18, as part of the official engagements with maritime stakeholders in the Philippines, Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, secretary-general of the IMO, visited NYK-Fil Maritime E-Training Inc. (NETI) and NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), the NYK Group’s training center and maritime academy in the Philippines.The visit included a tour of NETI’s advanced simulator facilities, showcasing cutting-edge maritime education and training technologies that support global shipping operations.

In December of 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the award of two contracts to build up to six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers. The announcement declaring the vessels would be built between the United States and Finland in a major step forward for America’s national security in the Arctic region. The decision process encompassed more than the security of the Arctic passage. It announces a major shift in the U.S. Shipbuilding process. A second round of contracts were approved February 11…

Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, announced the reappointment of Elizabeth B. Simmons, vice president of external affairs, to the reconstituted Seaport Economic Council.Named to the Council by Governor Maura Healey, Simmons serves on the newly reconstituted 15-member body, which is updating its mission and membership to better advance economic growth…

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $14 million in funding to support the development of programs aimed at reinvigorating and rebuilding the U.S. maritime industry and workforce.Administered by the department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the department awarded $8 million to Delaware County Community College and $5.8 million to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to advance the next generation of American shipbuilders through hands-on training programs developed in conjunction with international partners.

Seventeen students from seven U.S. and El Salvador maritime academies and universities have been selected as the 2025 recipients of the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and dedication to their studies related to the maritime industry. The scholarship honors the legacy of Thomas B. Crowley Sr. by acknowledging excellence and investing in the next generation of maritime leaders.The Thomas B. Crowley Sr.

Anglo-Eastern Maritime Training Centre (AEMTC) has successfully completed its inaugural pilot training course on ammonia as a marine fuel.Held on November 24–25, the two-day program brought together 26 participants from a wide spectrum of shipboard ranks, including Masters, Chief Engineers, senior officers, and junior engineers, who travelled from across India to take part in the specialised training.Pioneered by Prasad Nayak, General Manager of Training at Anglo-Eastern, the…

Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business has been recognized as the top public higher education institution in the state for graduate earnings, according to the latest report from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.The Academy’s #1 ranking confirms that its graduates achieve the highest salaries among peers statewide, highlighting the institution’s reputation for academic excellence…

McAllister Towing’s newest tractor tug, the Gerard McAllister, has arrived in the Port of New York.American made at Washburn & Doughty, the tug is the fifth in a series of six 84-metric-ton bollard pull, low-emission tractor tugs. She is McAllister’s 42nd tractor tug and the 13th with over 80 metric tons of bollard pull.Driven by 6,770 horsepower in her CAT engines, the Gerard McAllister is built to handle the largest ships arriving on the U.S. East Coast. She joins her sister vessel…

McAllister Towing’s newest tractor tug, the Gerard McAllister, was delivered from Washburn & Doughty, the fifth in a series of six 84-metric-ton bollard pull, low-emission tractor tugs. She is McAllister’s 42nd tractor tug and the 13th with over 80 metric tons of bollard pull, underscoring the company’s continuation toward a more powerful, hi-tech, and sustainable fleet.Driven by 6,770 horsepower in her CAT engines, the Gerard McAllister is built to handle the largest ships arriving on the U.S. East Coast.

The ABS Board of Directors has elected John McDonald as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ABS at a board meeting on November 11.In the culmination of a well-planned succession process, McDonald, the serving ABS President and Chief Operating Officer, will take over on January 1, 2026, when present ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki retires.“I am honored to lead this remarkable organization," said McDonald in a release announcing the appointment. "I do so…

From inland towboats and tank barges, to oceangoing tankers and government fleets, Bergan Marine is literally everywhere you look on the waterfront. Kyle Durden, President & CEO, Bergan Marine Systems, discusses the rich history of this company; born in 1975 in Norway but operating from Florida since 1980, Bergan Marine Systems offers a full family of product and services that are connected, modular solutions that reduce installation and operating costs – ultimately providing better data.When Kyle Durden reflects on his maritime career…

Anglo-Eastern Univan Group introduced its methanol bunkering simulator in October, developed in collaboration with Wärtsilä, a system that delivers both theoretical and practical training for the safe handling of methanol as a marine fuel. This follows the launch of the world’s first functional LNG ((Liquefied Natural Gas))/ammonia bunkering station skid at the Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA) in Karjat, Mumbai in February. Alongside the training skid, Anglo-Eastern has introduced…

Frederick Joseph Harris of Mystic CT, passed peacefully at 5:47PM on 10/24/2025, with his family by his side. “Fred” was born on 11/25/1944 at Framingham Union Hospital to Frederick Everett and MaryRosa Camilla Harris.Fred was a proud patriot who loved his country. Fred received his bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy (with Honors) in 1967. Upon graduation, Fred was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve with the obligation of sailing in the U.S. Merchant Marine. In the Merchant Marine, Fred sailed on various U.S.

ABS hosted the second edition of the Middle East Women in Maritime Summit at the Address Dubai Mall, gathering more than 150 industry professionals to celebrate the expanding role of women in the region’s maritime sector.Themed “Advancing Women in Maritime – Challenges and Opportunities,” the summit showcased stories of leadership and mentorship across the Middle East’s fast-growing maritime ecosystem.Guests of honor included Her Excellency Engineer Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to…

Danish Shipping has launched an initiative to help build maritime competence and create opportunities for talented African cadets.Danish shipping companies and Danish authorities have a long history of cooperating closely with African partners, especially in the maritime sector.Building on successful partnerships between Danish shipping companies and African maritime institutions, the African Maritime Training Initiative aims to strengthen cooperation and create opportunities…

Tidewater has appointed Coulston (Cole) Van Gundy Vice President of Shipyard and Terminal Operations.Van Gundy brings more than 19 years of maritime industry experience to Tidewater. He joins from Crowley, where he most recently served as Vice President of Engineering, leading the engineering services group responsible for civil and marine design, engineering, and construction management for internal and external clients.Over his career, Van Gundy has overseen the delivery of more than 20 vessels and assets, including tugs, tankers, barges, fireboats, and research vessels.

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has celebrated the christening of the State of Maine, the third of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV), at Hanwha Philly Shipyard.Built for Maine Maritime Academy, the State of Maine will serve as a next generation training ship, supporting both the academic development of cadets and America’s humanitarian relief.MARAD is replacing aging training vessels from the National Defense Reserve Fleet with new, purpose-built ships…

Once again U.S. shipbuilding, or rather the lack thereof, has raised its head. There are those who say that U.S. shipbuilding is a train that has left the station (yes, a purposefully odd but correct metaphor), while others are hoping for a new dawn of U.S. shipbuilding dominance.I know it can be done, but only if there is steel-eyed realism and an iron will to do it.I also know that magazine editors hate lists, but I am going to irritate Greg by doing just that: creating a list of realities surrounding the proposed resurgence of U.S.

On July 4, the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), a merchant marine academy jointly operated by NYK and the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG) near Manila, Philippines, held a commencement ceremony for 80 students, the academy’s 14th batch of graduates.The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests, including Kazuya Endo, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines, and Atty. Jerome T. Pampolina, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary for Sea-based OFW Concerns.

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, congratulates the more than 1,100 graduates from America’s maritime academies who make up the Class of 2025. These graduates now join the 650,000 men and women of the American maritime workforce.The 2025 graduates hail from the seven maritime academies in the United States: the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY), State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College (Fort Schuyler…

There are a few stories that I often tell when the subject of leadership in disasters is discussed. I figured I’d put them down on paper so I can stop repeating myself.It was pre OPA90, a single-skin tanker had run over a rock in the Port of New Jersey. It put a hole in the bottom, and heavy fuel oil was draining out the bottom and would do so until the oil head level in the tank would equalize with the waterline. The tanker would hit bottom at low tide, but the hole was small, and quick action would reduce oil in the harbor.