Posted:
June 12, 2012
The Maersk Illinois May 31 arrived at the Port of Milwaukee to load cargo for export, the first time a U.S.-flagged oceangoing ship has loaded cargo in Milwaukee, Wis. for an overseas destination in more than 30 years, Maersk Line, Limited reported.
The shipment of two P&H rope shovels, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank, required the Maersk Illinois to load nearly 8,000 cubic meters of machinery bound for a Siberian mining project. The Export-Import Bank provides loan guarantees and direct loans to help businesses overseas buy U.S. goods and services. All exported cargoes financed through the Export-Import Bank are by law reserved for U.S.-flagged merchant ships.
The Maersk Illinois was the first U.S.-flagged oceangoing vessel since 1981 to arrive at the Port of Milwaukee on the Great Lakes by way of the St. Lawrence Seaway, said Jeff Fleming, spokesman for the port.
The Maersk Illinois is one of two heavy-lift ships in the Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project Carrier fleet. Maersk-Rickmers is a partnership between Maersk Line, Limited and Rickmers-Linie (America), Inc. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers aboard both ships - the Maersk Illinois and the Maersk Texas.
The Maersk Illinois loaded the cargo one day after the President signed into law legislation reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank through fiscal year 2014. Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank drew strong support in Congress, where the legislation was approved by a vote 78-20 in the Senate and a vote of 330-93 in the House of Representatives.
The voyage of the Maersk Illinois drew the attention of Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who noted on his blog the "continuing success of the Ex-Im Bank" is "a win for American manufacturers and their workers, and it's a win for our U.S.-flag fleet."
A third shovel is slated for transport from Milwaukee, Wis. in September, to be carried by the same vessel or its twin, the Maersk Texas, Maersk Line, Limited reported.
Ex-Im Bank cargo generates historic voyage for Maersk Illinois
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| The Maersk Illinois in Milwaukee, Wis. on May 31, 2012 - the first U.S.-flagged oceangoing vessel since 1981 to arrive at the Port of Milwaukee on the Great Lakes by way of the St. Lawrence Seaway. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers aboard the Maersk Illinois. |
The shipment of two P&H rope shovels, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank, required the Maersk Illinois to load nearly 8,000 cubic meters of machinery bound for a Siberian mining project. The Export-Import Bank provides loan guarantees and direct loans to help businesses overseas buy U.S. goods and services. All exported cargoes financed through the Export-Import Bank are by law reserved for U.S.-flagged merchant ships.
The Maersk Illinois was the first U.S.-flagged oceangoing vessel since 1981 to arrive at the Port of Milwaukee on the Great Lakes by way of the St. Lawrence Seaway, said Jeff Fleming, spokesman for the port.
The Maersk Illinois is one of two heavy-lift ships in the Maersk-Rickmers U.S. Flag Project Carrier fleet. Maersk-Rickmers is a partnership between Maersk Line, Limited and Rickmers-Linie (America), Inc. American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers aboard both ships - the Maersk Illinois and the Maersk Texas.
The Maersk Illinois loaded the cargo one day after the President signed into law legislation reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank through fiscal year 2014. Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank drew strong support in Congress, where the legislation was approved by a vote 78-20 in the Senate and a vote of 330-93 in the House of Representatives.
The voyage of the Maersk Illinois drew the attention of Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who noted on his blog the "continuing success of the Ex-Im Bank" is "a win for American manufacturers and their workers, and it's a win for our U.S.-flag fleet."
A third shovel is slated for transport from Milwaukee, Wis. in September, to be carried by the same vessel or its twin, the Maersk Texas, Maersk Line, Limited reported.