MARAD CHIEF PRESSES FOR MORE DIVERSE U.S.-FLAG VESSEL FLEET

MARAD CHIEF PRESSES FOR MORE DIVERSE U.S.-FLAG VESSEL FLEET    U.S. Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert wants to diversify the types of ships in the nation’s commercial merchant marine beyond just container and roll-on/roll-off vessels.
   “We are working with industry to increase the number of vessels operating under the U.S. flag, and we are exploring tax reform issues to encourage vessels to enter or remain under the U.S. flag,” Schubert told members of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department in Bel Harbour, Fla., on Feb. 20. “And the good news is that we are making progress.”
   With help from the Coast Guard, MarAd recently welcomed the introduction of a new U.S.-flag heavy-lift ship, “Industrial Challenger,” to the fleet. New Orleans-based Intermarine used a procedure to receive expedited U.S.-flag certification and inspection for the vessel.
   The 'Industrial Challenger' is qualified to serve under the Maritime Security Program, but there’s no available slot for the ship in the program. For now, the vessel operates under the Defense Department’s Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement.
   'Industrial Challenger' has already been used to support Coast Guard units deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom. On Jan. 29, the ship took on a load of four 110-foot Coast Guard cutters to deliver for overseas operations.
   MarAd’s expedited re-flagging policy also recently helped with the U.S.-flag certification and inspection of the Maersk product tanker, “Maersk Rhode Island.” The vessel is now one of three U.S.-flag product tankers engaged in the international trades, Schubert said.
   “We still have a lack of capacity of U.S.-flag product tankers operating internationally, so we intend to negotiate a new memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Coast Guard to even further expedite future re-flagging procedures,” Schubert said.
   “We look forward to continue working with Maersk and other companies in seeking specialized niche market opportunities available in the U.S. flag,” he said.