Barry Parker

Florencia, New York

New York Correspondent at Seatrade Maritime News

Contributor at Maritime Professional

Contributor at Port Strategy

Contributor at Marine News Magazine

Contributor at Marine Technology News

Maritime business expertise - also known as Captain Blurry among photog crowd

Articles

A new course direction for the Federal Maritime Commission

1 week ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

The US regulatory body covering liner shipping is undertaking an investigation into flag-state practices. The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), is well known for its regulations concerning liner shipping, most recently enforcement of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), enacted in 2022, which put liner carriers under more scrutiny than had been the case previously.
US ports hit out at proposed 100% tariff on China-built ship-to-shore cranes

2 weeks ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

Terminal operators say USTR recommended tariffs on Chinese port cranes will not create new domestic production capacity out of thin air and and will result in sharply increased costs.
Port of LA expects pullback in global trade

2 weeks ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

If there is any doubt that shipping gets into the news when economic conditions are “uncertain”, the Port of Los Angeles' (POLA) monthly always insightful media briefing, held on May 19, should dispel such doubt.
Brooklyn Bridge tall ship strike kills two crew

2 weeks ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

New York’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge, which dates back to the 1880’s, escaped serious damage when the Mexican training ship Cuauhtémoc ploughed into it after leaving a dock in on the East River in lower Manhattan. Unfortunately, two crew fatalities, including one cadet, and more than a dozen critical injuries, many of which are cadets, were reported.
US-flag international fleet plans ‘very ambitious’

1 month ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

As part of the SHIPS for America Act there is a goal for 250 US-flag and built vessels trading internationally in 10 years-time. The two components of the SHIPS act- actually the SHIPS for America Act and the Building SHIPS in America Act, are wide-ranging. Analysts at tanker broker and market expert Poten & Partners, in an Opinion piece, offered that: “The depth and breadth of the SHIPS Act shows the ambitions of the US to boost its maritime industry.
Revitalised SHIPS for America Act tied to USTR China vessel fees

1 month ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

With much fanfare, the SHIPS FOR AMERICA Act was re-introduced into the United States Senate on Wednesday. The bill sponsored by Senator Mark Kelly (Dem-Arizona) and Todd Young (Rep-Indiana), is set to be entered into the House of Representatives by Congressmen Trent Kelly (Rep- Mississippi) and John Garamendi (Dem-California) on Thursday. It follows on President Donald Trump’s early April Executive Order “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance”, where a Maritime Action Plan was laid out.
USTR publishes proposed fees for Chinese ships

1 month ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker |Gary Howard

On the eve of the Good Friday holiday, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), issued its determination of Section 301 tariffs related to “…targeted action to restore American shipbuilding and address China’s unreasonable acts, policies, and practices to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.” The recommendations follow a year long investigation, which culminated in a request for comments—drawing almost 600 responses—and two days of hearings earlier this month.
Uncertainties abound in global LNG trades

1 month ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

Three months into the Trump administration, experts on energy are still grappling with what might happen going forward, in the face of US policy dictates, international politics, and uncertainties pervading in the broader energy markets.
Restoring America's Maritime Dominance ambitious but lacking detail

1 month ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (EO) “Restoring America's Maritime Dominance” was perhaps best summarised in a brief by law firm Holland & Knight which described it as “…heavy on high-level, ambitious policy plans but light on details,” adding that “Those looking for immediate directions from the White House may be disappointed as the EO instead sets forth a number of requirements for development of various plans, strategies, policies and reports.” The EO cites the President’s...
Alternative fuel uncertainty saved shipping from itself

2 months ago | seatrade-maritime.com | Barry Parker

Shipping heavyweights reflected on green shipping and the agility of family businesses at 2025's Commodore debate. The Commodores’ Debate at CMA Shipping 2025 event saw a group of top shipping executives offering views on a variety of issues, ranging from tariffs to future fuel alternatives and company strategies on buying and selling vessels. Coming a week prior to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO)MEPC 83 meeting, the fuel discussion saw a lively back and forth.