MARAD orders training ship Empire State to sail for Norfolk on 30 September

The US Maritime Administration has issued a sailing order for Empire State (IMO 9910313), the training ship of the State University of New York's Maritime College, a month after the ship was activated for federal service.

Rear Admiral John Okon, the college's president, disclosed the order in an open letter on 24 September. The ship is to leave the college's Fort Schuyler campus in the Bronx on 30 September and arrive in Norfolk, Virginia, on 1 October. She is expected to stay there until 30 October, preparing for follow-on operations supporting the US Navy.

"The ship will stay in Norfolk in an extended MARAD Maintenance and Repair Activation for certification of the flight deck," Okon wrote. No further details of her role have been confirmed. MARAD told the college in August that it anticipated a notional mission of about 170 days.

Okon acknowledged concern about the ship's absence during the academic year. Alongside the campus she serves as a training platform for cadets, and she also carries out training cruises, with a full training bridge, classrooms and accommodation for up to 600 cadets, teachers and crew. "The decision to deploy Empire State was made by the Maritime Administrator in support of a national mission. It was not a decision made by SUNY, the College, or the College administration," he wrote, while adding that the college recognises the ship is a federal vessel.

The main concern is the Summer Sea Term, a required part of cadet training. "I have been very clear with MARAD, and remain on record, that Empire State needs to return to campus on or about February 12, 2027, to keep SST 2027 on schedule," Okon wrote.

Empire State was the first of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels built under a MARAD programme to provide modern training vessels to the state maritime colleges. The New York, Massachusetts, Maine and Texas ships have been commissioned, and California's is completing outfitting. The class was designed for federal and humanitarian missions as well as training, with a ro-ro ramp, a cargo crane, container capacity and a helicopter deck. The ships are 160 metres long, of about 8,500 dwt and 26,000 gross tons, with a top speed of 18 knots.

Apart from training cruises, this will be the first time Empire State has been away from the campus since she was handed over in 2023.

This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 27 September 2026.