The training ship Empire State VII, belonging to SUNY Maritime College, was deployed on September 30 to Norfolk, Virginia. This voyage is intended for a month of activation and flight deck certification prior to supporting operations for the United States Navy.
Travel Details and Future Plans
This travel order represents the clearest indication of the ship's future plans, following the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) issuing an activation order for an unspecified federal mission last month. SUNY Maritime College President Rear Admiral John O’Kane announced that Empire State VII arrived in Norfolk on October 1 and will remain there until October 30.
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This activity includes flight deck certification of the ship in preparation for future operations related to supporting the United States Navy. However, the final destination and exact nature of these operations have not yet been disclosed.
Challenges and Implications for the Maritime College
MARAD had previously stated that Empire State VII is needed for a classified national security mission related to the urgent requirements of the Military Sealift Command. According to a decision memo released on August 28, no other ships were available at the required time, and its activation was described as a strategic necessity.
O’Kane explained that SUNY Maritime College did not make the decision to deploy the ship; this decision was made to support a national mission by the Maritime Administrator. He also noted that the absence of the college's primary training vessel for the majority of the academic year will pose significant challenges for students.
The college is working on its educational and maritime programs to minimize disruptions and ensure that students can meet their educational and graduation requirements. O’Kane also called for a specific timeline for the ship's return and expressed hope that Empire State VII would return to the college around February 12, 2027.
Empire State VII is the first of five multi-mission national security vessels designed by MARAD. This ship has been specifically developed to train future officers of the U.S. Merchant Marine and also assists the federal government during emergencies and national missions. This federally-owned vessel was delivered in 2023 and assigned to SUNY Maritime College.
The training ship Empire State VII is considered part of the MARAD National Defense Reserve Fleet, and this new order represents a significant shift from the ship's usual training role. Future operations after the Norfolk work remain uncertain, and there are currently rumors about supporting military logistics related to Diego Garcia, but these reports have not yet been confirmed.
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