AMO Currents - New jobs for AMO in Maritime Security Program fleet

AMO Currents - Posted: January 23, 2009

New jobs for AMO in Maritime Security Program fleet

The Maritime Administration has selected an ice-strengthened product tanker for the open slot in the 60-ship Maritime Security Program fleet. The ship will be operated by Ocean Shipholdings Inc. of Houston, Texas, and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.

"This ship will meet the strategic needs of the Defense Department and provide new jobs in the Maritime Security Program for AMO members," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "We're excited about the new opportunities for our membership in the MSP fleet and an expanded role in this program that is vital to the U.S. merchant marine and our national defense transportation operations."

MARAD and the Department of Defense, through the U.S. Transportation Command, reviewed proposals from several operating companies and determined that this type of vessel was needed for the MSP fleet. The vessel operating agreement in the MSP became available when Overseas Shipholding Group withdrew a tanker from the MSP fleet for service in international trades under foreign registry.

The ice-strengthened product tanker will be a new addition to the fleet of vessels managed by Ocean Shipholdings Inc., which also operates the AMO-contracted T-5 tankers, the Watson Class LMSRs and the two Ready Reserve Force barge carriers, Cape May and Cape Mohican.

AMO currently represents all licensed officers working aboard 14 ships in the MSP fleet, including eight car carriers, four containerships and two heavy-lift vessels.