USMMI welcomed the ship into the fleet in January 2020 to support Military Sealift Command’s critical fuel logistics mission—a lifeline for sustained U.S. military operations around the world. Reflagged to the U.S. flag at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she became one of the first American ships to complete a reflag during that unprecedented global challenge.

Between January 2020 and May 2023, the YOSEMITE TRADER executed more than thirty short-term time and voyage charters for MSC throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. From June 2023 onward, she transitioned to a long-term MSC charter supporting the defueling and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

In December 2023, the YOSEMITE TRADER carried the final shipment of Red Hill’s fuel. Her voyage marked a major milestone in a historic defueling operation that protected the water supply of thousands and moved the facility one step closer to permanent closure.

Further elevating her operational impact, the YOSEMITE TRADER was outfitted for Consolidated Cargo Replenishment (CONSOL) operations—enabling her to deliver fuel directly to U.S. Navy Combat Logistics Force ships at sea. Her crew executed numerous CONSOL missions, extending the Navy’s time on station, reducing port-dependency, and strengthening logistics resilience in contested environments.

USMMI extends its deepest appreciation to the extraordinary U.S. mariners who crewed, cared for, and championed the YOSEMITE TRADER throughout her service. Their dedication transformed this ship into a reliable asset for MSC and an example of excellence across our fleet.

Fair winds and following seas to the YOSEMITE TRADER. She served with distinction—and her legacy sails on.

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That momentum continued on 18 November, when the EVERGLADES TRADER joined Military Sealift Command’s chartered fleet—stepping in for the YOSEMITE TRADER. Her addition marks another stride forward in USMMI’s mission to deliver world-class service, reliability, and maritime excellence.

USMMI extends sincere appreciation to our valued partners at the United States Coast Guard, Lloyd’s Register, ABS and Military Sealift Command for their expertise and collaboration throughout the reflag Certificate of Inspection, transfer-of-class process, ISM audit and delivery.

Most importantly—a huge congratulations to the inaugural crew of the EVERGLADES TRADER. Your hard work, professionalism, and commitment made this transition not only possible, but exemplary.

Welcome aboard, EVERGLADES TRADER—your journey with USMMI begins now.

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The Redwood Trader re-flagged into the U.S. registry and has commenced performance under her charter with MSC.  This new U.S. Flag ship represents 17 new US mariner jobs being filled by our supporting mariner unions AMO and SIU.

The Redwood Trader, a chemical product tanker, was built in 2018, is 109 meters long, and 5,422 gross tons. She is the sister ship of M/T Pohang Pioneer, our other shallow draft tanker on charter to MSC and also manned by AMO and SIU members.

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 Acadia Trader was purchased by MLL in 2011 after MLL won the first 59-month contract offered by MSC for an Ice-Classed Tanker.  The MSC contract specified that the ship would support missions to McMurdo Station in Antarctica (Operation Deep Freeze) and the Air Force Base in Thule, Greenland (Operation Pacer Goose).   USMMI/MLL was successful in the second 59-month Ice-Classed Tanker bid with MSC and completed 10 years under MSC long-term charter.  While Acadia Trader could’ve performed a third 59-month charter with MSC, MSC chose to deselect Acadia Trader due to her age, stating that since the ship would reach the age of 20 years during the next 59-month contract, she would not be eligible for award.  However, Acadia Trader continued to work under MSC short-term charter, from Dec 2021 until 04 March 2024 continuing to perform critical missions for MSC, in support of our Nation’s defense.

 Acadia Trader participated Operation Deep Freeze 9 times, sailing to Antarctica during the Southern summer, carrying up to 200,000 bbls of diesel and jet fuel.  This cargo provided all the fuel necessary to run the electric generators at McMurdo Station, fuel aircraft and other motor vehicles for up to two years.  She also participated in Operation Pacer Goose, a voyage that sailed her on the West side of Greenland, 7 times during her time under ownership to USMMI providing a jet fuel to the US Air Force in northern Greenland. 

 Acadia Trader was built to the Finnish-Swedish ice class standard, 1B.  She was not an icebreaker but was fitted with an “ice belt” to protect her from the ice she would encounter in the Polar regions.  She was also constructed to operate for long periods of time in extreme cold weather, freezing sea water and ice-infested areas.  Her engine delivered more power to ensure she was able to push through narrow ice channels and clear away any broken ice that was choking her progress.  She also was fitted with a ice searchlight, which was rarely used as the times that Acadia Trader would enter the Polar regions, in the summertime in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, there was 24-hour daylight.

 While USMMI owned Acadia Trader, the International Maritime Organization adopted a new regime for classifying and certificating ice-classed ships.  As part of the new Polar Code, USMMI created a Polar Waters Operations Manual to comply with this new regime.  The Captains and Deck Officers received specialized training at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Marine Institute, learning ice navigation techniques, ice-breaker operations and practiced maneuvering ships in ice in the Marine Institute’s full mission simulator.  One Master reported “actual” ice training conducted in the St. John’s, Newfoundland, kayaking amongst ice bergs in the harbor.

 In addition to the Acadia Trader’s missions in Polar regions, she was also tasked with performing Underway Replenishment (CONSOL) with MSC’s combat logistics ships.  In 2011, the Acadia Trader was converted to conduct CONSOL, with purpose-built structure and rigging to deliver diesel and jet fuel to the MSC combat logistics fleet at sea.  In 2019, USMMI developed an improved delivery system that provided for greater crew safety and decreased the risk of pollution while transferring cargo at sea.  For most of the contracts with MSC, the CONSOL capability was under-utilized, until 2023 when the ship was awarded an MSC contract that was specifically for CONSOL operations in the Pacific Ocean, in support of the NATO / US Navy operation RIMPAC 2023.  As part of this operation, Acadia Trader conducted 13 at-sea fuel deliveries in 35 days.  This accomplishment made her the most experienced CONSOL tanker in the US fleet.  Captain Michele Lupek commanded the ship during RIMPAC 2023, becoming the most experienced Master of CONSOL operations in the US fleet.

 The Acadia Trader also received accolades for rescuing a shipwreck survivor in December of 2022 in the Mediterranean Sea as part of an international search party.  The Master of Acadia Trader, Captain Mike Hatton spotted the floating survivor in the middle of the night using the ice searchlight.  The ship’s rescue boat and crew were launched to retrieve the survivor from the cold, dark sea.  The rescue boat crew stated that when they pulled the survivor from the sea, he was unresponsive, and his breath was weak and shallow.  They transferred the survivor to an international coast guard ship for medical treatment.  Captain Hatton was presented with a Rosette during the annual Admiral of the Ocean Seas award ceremony in New York City for saving a life at sea, on behalf of USMMI, the ship and her crew.  The crew was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the US Coast Guard for their efforts to preserve life at sea.

 The success of the Acadia Trader under USMMI’s ownership and operation is a tribute to many crewmembers from AMO and SIU as well as the awesome USMMI staff!!!  We will be seeking to re-employ the crew of the Acadia Trader on USMMI’s next ship acquisition!

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On January 28^th, 2024, M/T Acadia Trader arrived at McMurdo Station in Antarctica to deliver over 7 million gallons of a special blend of diesel fuel mixed specifically for Antarctica called AN8.  Also delivered were 1.5 million gallons of aviation fuel and 155 thousand gallons of gasoline, which make up 100 percent of the fuel needed for two years at the remote outpost.  To navigate to McMurdo Station, the USCGC Polar Star, one of only two active U.S. heavy ice breakers, cut a channel through approximately 17 miles of first year ice up to 5 to 6 feet thick to allow fuel and supply ships to reach McMurdo Station, the U.S. Antarctic Program’s logistics hub and largest station.  In addition to supplying fuel to McMurdo Station, M/T Acadia Trader refueled the Polar Star with approximately 300,000 gallons of JP5 via a ship-to-ship transfer during the mission.

Constructed and certificated as an Ice Class Tanker, M/T Acadia Trader has made nine annual missions to McMurdo Station, Antarctica delivering critical fuel supply to sustain winter missions.  The requirement to travel to Polar Regions required that the Acadia Trader’s crew be specially screened and trained in polar operations and have undergone Military Sealift Command (MSC) required training beyond what their Merchant Mariner Credentials and licenses required.  Ship travel to austere Polar Regions requires the highest level of planning, preparation, and management than most voyages.  Logistics and voyage planning (complicated by severe weather systems and ice-covered channels) becomes much tougher than in normal shipping lanes, and solutions often require innovative thought and a willingness to commit resources to unique solutions. 

The M/T Acadia Trader is crewed in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers (AMO) and unlicensed positions by Seafarers International Union (SIU).

Operation Deep Freeze is literally, “a cool mission” and USMMI is proud our ship and crew were well positioned to participate in this vitally important mission of scientific and national importance.

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