As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Gunderson Marine of Portland, Oregon, recently side-launched Makani Loa, a 438‘ x 105‘ (133.5m x 32m) container barge for Lynden/Alaska Marine Lines from its 58-acre (32.5-hectare) manufacturing site in the industrial area north of downtown Portland, on the western shore of the Willamette River.
It also announced the opening of a training center in spring of 2024 to address the demand for skilled tradespeople and to train students in metal fitting, fabrication, safety practices, and welding processes, including flux-cored arc, submerged arc, and shield metal arc. Trainees are offered $19.95/hr during an eight-week course. Qualified graduates can work full time at Gunderson, starting as welders or pipe­fitters and later becoming supervisors or managers. To learn more about the program and employment benefits, visit www.giwx.net/training-center.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the American Sportfishing Association have partnered to create an education hub for ASA member organizations. The hub was introduced at the recent International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show and will be housed within MRAA’s learning management system, MRAATraining.com.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report from the Mission to Seafarers reveals a mixed but somewhat more positive picture of seafarers’ well-being, with the happiness index increasing slightly to 6.99 in second quarter 2024, marginally up from 6.94 in the first quarter.
However, the seafarers happiness survey results reveal concerns over the emergence of two classes of life at sea for seafarers. There are suggestions of a “digital divide” when it comes to accessing the benefits of modern communications and connectivity at sea, as well as different levels of training and preparedness for new fuels and new technologies for crew on different types of vessels.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The White House reports that private sector partners are stepping up with new investments in the U.S. maritime sector, with a fact sheet noting that the following companies plan to expand or establish their operations in the United States as the result of recent actions by the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. allies and partners: HD Hyundai, Bollinger Shipyards, Davie Shipbuilding, and Konecranes.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. On August 23 1969, the coastal freighter MV Noongah departed Newcastle bound for Townsville with a cargo of steel and 26 crew. The 71-meter ship had been a regular sight along the eastern seaboard for a decade as it hauled cargo between cities up and down the coast. Two days later, the vessel disappeared in the night beneath ten-metre waves, lashed by a violent storm. Tragically, only five of the 26 crew would be rescued during one of the largest searches for survivors in post-war Australian maritime history. As for the MV Noongah, its resting place would remain a mystery. Until now.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Panos Koutsourakis, Vice President of Global Sustainability of the American Bureau of Shipping, shares trends and learnings from a recent survey into the targets, trends and technologies of port decarbonization

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. With ammonia-fueled and ammonia-ready tonnage already on order, ABS has released guidance focused on the bunkering of the fuel, the first such advisory for the industry. The ABS Ammonia Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory considers the aspects of bunkering ammonia as a fuel, providing the maritime industry with a better understanding of the challenges involved and how best to address them.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Corvus Energy released a statement announcing its role in powering the Crowley eWolf, the first fully electric ship assist harbor tugboat in the United States. The eWolf tugboat, designed by Crowley and constructed by Master Boat Builders, Coden, Ala., is set to operate in the Port of San Diego, Calif. The vessel uses an integrated electrical propulsion system from ABB, which features a Corvus battery system.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. On the same day as the inauguration of a new hydrogen-powered ferry for San Francisco's Blue & Gold Fleet, the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry (AITF) announced plans to electrify two of its existing vessels and build a new carbon fiber plug-in battery-hybrid catamaran.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. A consortium of operators, agencies and technologists are formally launching the operations of the first hydrogen-powered ferry in the United States, the long-awaited Sea Change. It follows one year after the commercial debut of the world's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered ferry to begin service, the Norwegian car ferry MF Hydra.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has appointed Lacey Greene as vice president, new construction sales. Greene returns to Nichols Brothers after a period serving as business development coordinator at naval architect firm Elliott Bay Design Group.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $20.8 million in grant awards to 27 small shipyards in 20 states through the Small Shipyard Grant program. This year, though, the amounts awarded and the number of recipients were much reduced. Today MARAD announced just $8.75 million in grant awards to 15 small shipyards in 12 states through the program. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The Port of Seattle’s new 10-year preferential berthing agreement with Carnival Corporation will advance plans to have all berthed cruise ships using shore power by 2027, according to port officials.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Seattle to become one of the first cruise ports in the nation to offer shore power at every berth, significantly reducing port-related air emissions in the Northwest. 

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Following its launch by Port Angeles, Wash., based BRIX Marine, the 4615-HTC LandingCat OMC is now en route to serve the Chenega community in Alaska. There it is set to become a versatile construction workhorse for Prince William Sound, capable of hauling freight and equipment to remote locations.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The U.S. marine sector generated $777 billion in sales, supported 2.4 jobs and accounted for $476 billion in economic impact in 2022, according to data released June 6 by NOAA and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Washington State Ferries (WSF) has taken another big step forward in its electrification plans. It has now invited shipyards from across the U.S. to bid on building five new hybrid-electric ferries, each capable of carrying 160 vehicles.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Shipbuilder Vigor has begun low rate initial production (LRIP) on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light)(MSV(L)) vessel at its facility in Vancouver, Wash. The new generation 117’x28’ U.S. Army landing craft is replacing the Landing Craft Mechanized 8 (LCM-8), a design that now dates back decades to the Vietnam War era of the 1960s-70s. Vigor, a Titan company, completed and launched the prototype vessel, SSG Elroy F. Wells, in 2022. The next phase of the $1 billion contract will employ more than 180 skilled workers to support the project over the next five years, according to Vigor officials.

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. After seeing the highest sales volume in 20 years in 2020, demand for outboard engines remained steady in 2022 as unit sales surpassed 300,000 for the third consecutive year, reaching 305,900 units, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Northline Seafoods announced the successful completion of the “Hannah,” a state-of-the-art seafood platform that will start operating in Bristol Bay, Alaska, during the 2024 salmon fishing season. The vessel’s departure from Bellingham’s Fairhaven Shipyard on Saturday, May 25th, marks the successful completion of this more than three-year project, which included 15 months of construction. The Hannah is expected to arrive in Dillingham between June 5 - 8.