M.E.B.A. DISPATCHES FIRST-EVER ELECTRO-TECHNICAL OFFICER (ETO) TO MLL

M.E.B.A. is pleased to announce an historic first for our Union: we have dispatched the first Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) in M.E.B.A. history. Our new ETO will be joining the MAERSK MEAD, opening a brand-new engine room billet aboard Maersk Line, Limited’s Aegir class vessels.

This makes vessel operations safer, more efficient, and recognizes the growing importance of skilled professionals in today’s fleet.

Future opportunities for ETOs are forthcoming as the Aegir class vessels continue flagging in (see next article). Four Aegir-class vessels enter the MLL U.S.-flag fleet this year, and the final two will follow in the first quarter of 2027.

Individuals interested in sailing opportunities as an ETO with Maersk Line, Limited should send their resumes to Atlantic Coast Vice President Jason Callahan at jcallahan@mebaunion.org.

MLL REFINES SHIP SWAP-OUT DATES

As mentioned, Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) has begun vessel swap-outs to bring down the overall age of its Maritime Security Program fleet. MSP age restrictions require that older vessels be replaced before reaching 25 years of age. MLL issued plans to bring in newer replacement vessels for seven M.E.B.A.-crewed vessels. Six of the vessels will be the Aegir-class, built this year, and one will be the San-class. The Aegir-class vessels are dual-fuel, methanol-fueled vessels. All engineering officers on these ships are required to have the advanced IGF endorsement on their license. The San-class features a dedicated 6.6KV switchboard feeding the reefer distribution panels and Main LO pumps on the ship. Engineers on this vessel will need the High Voltage endorsement.

The AEGIR Class vessels are scheduled to carry Electro-Technical Officers (ETOs). M.E.B.A. officers are strongly encouraged to obtain the ETO endorsement on their USCG license to qualify for these positions. An All Ports Bulletin was sent to each of the Union halls and all Members and Applicants with email addresses on file at HQ) detailing requirements needed for engineers on these vessels. In all cases, there will be a short overlap period in which the newer replacement vessel and the older ship will both be operating with M.E.B.A. personnel onboard. The revised schedule, subject to change:

MAERSK SENECA (ex-SAN VICENTE), the lone M.E.B.A.-crewed SAN-Class vessel, entered the U.S. flag fleet on Sept. 16, 2026 while MAERSK ATLANTA flagged-out on Sept. 23. MAERSK MEAD (ex-TAURANGA MAERSK) is scheduled to flag-in on October 26, with MAERSK SELETAR departing the U.S. registry on November 18. MAERSK HURON (ex-TACOMA MAERSK) will raise the Stars and Stripes on October 28, replacing the MAERSK DETROIT, which is scheduled to leave the U.S. fleet on November 25. MAERSK POWELL (ex-TEMA MAERSK) is set to flag-in on October 29, while MAERSK DENVER transfers to Maersk’s international fleet on November 11. MAERSK CHAMPLAIN (ex-TANGIER MAERSK) is due to enter the U.S. fleet on November 16, taking the place of MAERSK SENTOSA, which is scheduled to go foreign on November 22. MAERSK ERIE (ex-TIANJIN MAERSK) is slated for U.S.-flag service beginning January 27, 2027, replacing MAERSK HARTFORD, which is due to leave the registry on February 27. The final vessel on the revised schedule is MAERSK TAHOE (ex-TILBURG MAERSK), scheduled to join the U.S. fleet on March 27 and relieve MAERSK KENSINGTON, which is set to flag-out a month later on April 27.

It is important to note that the MAERSK CHAMPLAIN will be the only AEGIR Class vessel that is expected to continue to run on Methanol while under the U.S. flag. This is primarily for engine warranty purposes. The other 5 vessels of this class will have their Methanol systems blanked off and any remaining Methanol fuel onboard removed prior to flag-in. These vessels will be operating on conventional fuels. At some point in the future, they may also operate on Methanol or Ethanol, but it is not expected in the near term.

MATSON CHRISTENS FIRST OF THREE NEWBUILD CONTAINERSHIPS

On Saturday, M.E.B.A.-contracted company Matson, Inc. celebrated the christening of the first of three new containerships being constructed for the company at Hanwha Philly Shipyard.

At the ceremony, Matson board member Jenai Wall officially christened the vessel MAKUA by breaking a ceremonial bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull before a gathering of approximately 300 attendees including U.S. Maritime Administration Deputy Administrator Mark Johnson, Matson and Hanwha executives, shipyard workers and union leaders including M.E.B.A. President Adam Vokac, MM&P President Don Josberger, SIU President Dave Heindel, MFOW President Anthony Poplawski and ARA President Kelly Anderson. Upon its delivery in the first quarter of 2027, the vessel will enter Matson’s China-Long Beach Express (CLX) and Hawaii services. The two permanent M.E.B.A. Chief Engineers serving on the vessel, who were present at the ceremony, are Chris Bollinger and Kegan Irvine. Member Travis Ellis is serving as Port Engineer at the yard.

Representing an investment of approximately $1 billion, Matson’s three new Jones Act-compliant vessels are being built to match the size and speed of Matson’s two existing Aloha Class ships, DANIEL K. INOUYE and the KAIMANA HILA, which were also built at the shipyard in Philadelphia, PA and set a new standard for cargo transportation in Hawaii when they entered service in 2018 and 2019, respectively, as the largest containerships ever constructed in the U.S.

Weighing in at over 51,400 metric tons, Matson’s 850-foot long and 3,600-TEU-capacity Aloha Class containerships are also Matson’s fastest vessels, with a top speed of nearly 24 knots, helping ensure on-time deliveries in Hawaii and industry-leading transit times from Asia to the U.S. West Coast. Like their sisterships, the new vessels will be equipped with dual fuel engines designed to operate on either conventional marine fuels or liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as other “green ship technology” features, such as a fuel-efficient hull design, environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks, and freshwater ballast systems. While the earlier ships required some modification to operate with LNG, the new ships will be delivered LNG-ready.

The three new ships will replace three vessels currently deployed in Matson’s Hawaii and CLX services. The second ship, MALAMA, is scheduled to be delivered in the third quarter of 2027, and the third, MAKENA, is expected in the second quarter of 2028.

“We look forward to putting MAKUA to work serving our customers early next year,” said Matt Cox, chairman and CEO. “We’re excited that adding three new Aloha Class ships to Matson’s fleet over the next 18 months will improve operating efficiencies and reliability, and increase capacity in our core Hawaii service, as well as our China-Long Beach Express service. And we're proud that building them here supports hundreds of good-paying shipyard jobs and will provide more than 2,500 job opportunities for U.S. mariners over the lifespan of each ship.”

Matson's original ships named MAKUA, MALAMA, and MAKENA were all freighters commissioned by the United States Shipping Board (USSB), an emergency agency established by the 1916 Shipping Act to increase the number of U.S. ships supporting the war effort during World War I. They were purchased by Matson in the 1920s and remained active in the Matson fleet for the next two decades. MAKUA is a Hawaiian word for parent, elder, ancestor, or family.

GAO CALLS FOR STRONGER FIREFIGHTING PREPAREDNESS AT SEAPORTS

A new federal watchdog report says gaps in training, coordination and emergency planning continue to complicate the response to ship fires at U.S. ports, three years after two firefighters were killed battling a cargo ship fire in Port Newark. The Government Accountability Office found 886 nearshore marine fires reported to the Coast Guard between 2015 and 2025. Of those, 206 — nearly one-quarter — resulted in a death, injury, more than $200,000 in damage or the total loss of a vessel. Unlike most emergencies ashore, responsibility for a ship fire can be divided among several parties. The Coast Guard generally coordinates the federal response, while local fire departments conduct the actual firefighting, often with support from vessel operators, port authorities and commercial salvage and marine firefighting companies. The report, released Sept. 29, said gaps remain in coordination between the Coast Guard and land-based fire departments, including limited opportunities for firefighters to receive hands-on shipboard training. GAO also urged the Coast Guard to establish better information-sharing practices and clearer guidance on when vessel response plans should be activated.

The report highlighted additional challenges posed by vessels using alternative fuels, including lithium-ion battery-powered ferries. GAO recommended that Congress give the Coast Guard authority to require certain non-tank vessels using alternative fuels to maintain response plans for hazardous substance discharges. The Coast Guard agreed with all five of GAO’s recommendations.

JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH EQUILIEM: CHIEF ENGINEER IN SF

An opportunity through M.E.B.A.-contracted company Equiliem is available for an M.E.B.A. member to work as Chief Engineer at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), located at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco.

The stationary engineer position offers a pay rate of $93.60 per hour and a Monday-through-Friday schedule, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The successful candidate must live in the San Francisco Bay Area and work onsite.

The Chief Engineer will oversee and supervise stationary engineering personnel responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of building systems. Duties include overseeing HVAC and boiler operations, electrical and mechanical systems, plumbing, fire and life safety systems, and energy management and building controls.

Additional responsibilities include coordinating preventive maintenance, maintaining equipment records and inventories, managing work schedules, preparing reports and purchase requisitions, ensuring compliance with safety standards and permitting requirements, and providing technical guidance and training to engineering staff. The position also requires availability for 24/7 telephone or callback support.

Applicants must possess Universal EPA Certification and have strong technical, organizational, communication, and supervisory skills. Experience with building maintenance management systems, particularly Maximo, is important.

Interested members should consider this opportunity for a well-compensated, weekday engineering position that includes full Medical, Training, 401(k) and MPB benefits (no Pension). Interested candidates can send their resumes to Oakland Patrolman Chris Coombs at ccoombs@mebaunion.org. Chris is also available for questions about the position and can be reached at (510) 291-4912.

COURT RULING FORCES REVERSAL OF HEAVY-HANDED FEDERAL LABOR RULE

The Trump administration is abandoning a rule that would have shifted authority over federal employee union matters from regional officials to a politically appointed panel in Washington. The Federal Labor Relations Authority will restore its previous regulations, allowing regional directors to continue handling key responsibilities, including processing and certifying union petitions. The reversal follows an April court ruling that struck down the administration’s March policy change as arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Unions that challenged the rule warned that centralizing authority would delay petition processing and discourage federal workers from exercising their labor rights. The dispute is part of a broader administration effort to curb federal employee unions, including moves to cancel previously negotiated collective bargaining agreements, which have also faced legal challenges.

FMC PROPOSES FEES, RESTRICTIONS ON SPANISH SHIPS ENTERING U.S. PORTS

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is proposing retaliatory measures against Spain after an investigation found the country denied U.S.-flagged vessels access to its ports, including ships operating under the Maritime Security Program. Proposed remedies include a $200,000 fee per voyage for Spanish-flagged vessels and potential import restrictions on select Spanish goods, including cosmetics, ceramics, oils and fats, and confectionery products.

The FMC is accepting public comments on the proposals through Dec. 14, 2026, and will offer Spain an opportunity for a hearing.

UNION VOTER CHECKLIST BEFORE ELECTION DAY

Casting your ballot is easier when you plan ahead. Spend a few minutes now to make sure you’re ready when it’s time to vote.

✔ Confirm You’re Registered - Registration deadlines vary by state. Don’t assume you’re still registered because you’ve voted before. If you’ve recently moved, changed your name, or haven’t voted in several elections, check your registration status and update it if necessary.

✔ Learn What’s on Your Ballot - Many local races receive little media attention, yet they often have the greatest impact on your community. Review your sample ballot ahead of time and learn about the candidates and ballot questions you’ll be voting on.

✔ Check Your Union’s Recommendations - Many international unions, state AFL-CIO federations, Central Labor Councils, and local unions interview candidates and publish endorsements or voter guides. These resources can help you understand where candidates stand on issues that matter to working people.

✔ Verify Where and When You’ll Vote - Find your polling place before Election Day and check its hours of operation. If your state offers early voting or vote-by-mail, decide which option works best for you.

✔ Know What You’ll Need - Some states require identification to vote. Find out what forms of ID are accepted and gather anything you’ll need before heading to the polls.

✔ Make a Time Commitment - Don’t simply plan to vote “sometime Tuesday.” Decide exactly when you’ll vote. Will you stop before work? During your lunch break? After your shift? Vote in early voting? Putting a specific time on your calendar makes it much more likely you’ll follow through.

✔ Plan for Any Obstacles - Think ahead about transportation, childcare, work schedules, or anything else that could interfere with voting. Solving those problems in advance helps ensure nothing gets in the way on Election Day.

✔ Encourage Others - Voting is contagious. After you’ve made your own plan, remind your coworkers, friends, and family members to make theirs. Offer someone a ride to the polls, share official election information, or simply ask if they have a voting plan.

Helpful Resources - Vote.org – A nonpartisan resource to check voter registration, find your polling place, view election deadlines, and access state election information. Your State Election Office – Official information on voter registration, polling locations, voting deadlines, early voting, absentee voting, and voter ID requirements. Your State AFL-CIO – Statewide labor endorsements, voter guides, volunteer opportunities, and election information. Your Central Labor Council – Local labor activities, endorsements, and volunteer events in your community. Your International or Local Union – Candidate endorsements, legislative updates, and information on issues affecting your members.

NEXT MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS (All times are local)    

Monday, November 2 – Boston@1200; Seattle (Fife)@1300.

Tuesday, November 3 – CMES@1430; Charleston@1400; Houston@1315; Oakland@1230; Portland, Maine@1200.

Wednesday, November 4 – Jacksonville@1300; New Orleans@1315; Online HQ “Town Hall” Meeting@1300 (No Voting) – Register by emailing mebahq@mebaunion.org

Thursday, November 5 – L.A. (San Pedro)@1230; NY/NJ@1300; Norfolk@1300; Tampa@1300.

Friday, November 6 – Honolulu@1100

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