Virginia Maritime Association’s Post

MARITIME SHIPPING. Getting together with insiders of maritime shipping this week was a delightful experience. The get-together was marvelously hosted at one of Amsterdam's very oldest maritime trading houses. Among a select group of individuals including shipyard owners, shipbuilders, maritime brokers, and those, like myself, who are simply enamored with maritime affairs, we looked back on the progress made and the progress that lies ahead in the future in terms of maritime shipping. Fond memories of my childhood flooded back, with miniature models of real ships adorning our home—a subtle nod to those who share a similar nostalgia (if you know, you know 😉). Maritime shipping continues to be a linchpin in global trade, with ships facilitating the transport of approximately 80-90% of the world's goods. Reflecting on history, we're reminded of the pivotal role maritime trade played, particularly in the era of free trade with the Americas, in terms of consumer goods and luxury items. Personally, I hold a particular fondness for the 18th-century frigate—a nimble and sturdy three-masted vessel capable of weathering even the harshest seas. The thought of such ships crossing the Atlantic, a journey that typically took about twenty days, fills, at least myself, with awe! #MaritimeShipping #Shipping #Naval #Amsterdam #History #Trading

Have We Lost the Red Sea? | What Should be the US Strategy Against the Houthis? What's Going on With Shipping? April 25, 2024 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discusses the current situation in and around the Red Sea and should the US continue to protect ships in the region or shift and focus on US-flagged or allied vessels. #houthi #redsea #shipping #supplychain https://lnkd.in/eVS-bjiX

In her speech, the Deputy Minister of Shipping provided a historical overview of the registry's evolution and discussed the advantages of Cyprus as a flag state in maritime shipping #CyprusBusiness

Read about AWO’s participation in the Waterways Council, Inc. fly-in on Capitol Hill, Maritime Administration (MARAD) upcoming mariner work-life balance symposium, and more in this edition of the AWO Letter https://ow.ly/HzIB50QBef6 #maritime #waterways

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld an agency decision that a Swiss-based company could operate a luxury cruise ship on the Mississippi River. #TeamSPB discuss how the American Cruise Lines decision could very well reach beyond the cruise industry and impact how future marine transactions are structured. Read all of the details at the link below! https://lnkd.in/ez-7xdYa #CruiseLine I #Shipping I #Maritime

Wanted to share a discussion I had with Jeremiah Karpowicz of WorkBoat publications covering a variety of maritime issues. He reached out after reading my recent report on US domestic shipping industries (Staying Afloat – below). I appreciate his interest in the first principles around domestic shipping laws, which require that shipping in American waters be done on US ships and how those laws reflect normal business regulation, not protectionism. We also discussed how anti-Jones Act narratives are built on claims that are simply wrong from an historical, business and economic perspective, and how America’s domestic maritime industry contributes to US economic, homeland and military security. We then shifted to an extended discussion of the need to restore a more robust US flag fleet in international markets and expand American shipbuilding capacity, which is discussed in my report from last October (Rewriting the Future – below). We had the chance to go over some of the details in that report, including the value of setting a specific target of 250 US flag ships in international trade, and how reaching that target on an accelerated basis is a national security imperative. We closed by encouraging industry leaders to support urgent Congressional attention to these issues given the challenge of the PRC and today’s extremely volatile geopolitical environment. I’m looking forward to getting further into these issues during the keynote breakfast at the International WorkBoat Show on November 13. #maritimeindustry #shipbuilding https://lnkd.in/eFZps3BC

We are from Dubrovnik, in other words, shipping runs through our veins. Personally, as a little child, and thanks to my Father the late great Captain Ivan I. Coric, I was on big ships for most of my childhood and to this day I feel most comfortable aboard, even tough I’ll admit I’m always a bit scared when I climb up. When you’re in shipping you meet lots of people from all over the world and this teaches you about life and how to be a good communicator. My people were the original diplomats and the republic never waged a war, instead it maneuvered with diplomacy and decorum throughout centuries, and this is something I think about often in my day to day life while negotiating on behalf of my clients for various projects. Strategically located, Dubrovnik became a powerful maritime force and also benefitted from the influence of many cultures through shipping and maritime trade. The shipbuilders of Dubrovnik were far known, hence ship built “in the manner of Dubrovnik” meant #durable, #strong and #simple #construction. In the mid 16th century Dubrovnik owned over 180 large ships with total burden of 36000 kars (one kar=2/3 of tons). This fleet was valued at about 700000 ducats. In those times credit transactions and naval insurance brought great profits to Dubrovnik Republic as Dubrovnik passed law on naval insurance as early as 1568. In the time of decline and recession of maritime trade in the Mediterranean, in the 18th century, caused by discovery of new sea routes, Dubrovnik still had consulates in over 80 cities. The fleet of Dubrovnik, including fishing boats, totaled 673 sailing ships, of which 255 larger ships sailed to foreign waters, and 230 were ocean ships. In the most glorious days the fleet of Dubrovnik equalled the fleet of Venice, but was incomparably weaker than the fleet of the Netherlands. #shipping #captainsdaughter #sealife #sail #tankers #maritimetrade

"Happy National Maritime Day! Today, let's honor the maritime industry's invaluable contributions to global trade, economy, and security. Cheers to the brave sailors, resilient seafarers, and all those who keep our waters safe and thriving. ⚓🌊 #NationalMaritimeDay"

Have you noticed that, Most of the colonies the The Dutch established, happen to be coastal colonies? They heavily favored coastal regions for their colonies. There were two main reasons for this: 1. Trade Advantage: The Dutch were a maritime powerhouse during their "Golden Age". Coasts provided easy access for their ships to load and unload cargo, establish ports, and build infrastructures for trade. This efficiency/Advantage was crucial for their global trade-networks.  2. Defense and Control: Coastal locations offered greater defensibility against potential rivals. They could use their naval superiority to patrol and protect their maritime colonies & trade-posts. Additionally, controlling ports allowed them to regulate and tax incoming and outgoing goods, further strengthening their economic grip. So, yes, these coastal colonies were instrumental in the Dutch expanding and maintaining their global maritime trade. They provided vital hubs for commerce and secured their dominance on the seas. Painting by Vincent Van Gogh (Famous Dutch Painter).

A good read to demonstrate how being a member of the IMarEST can aid shape the maritime industry.