Empire State VII to return to SUNY Maritime after canceled Navy mission

The training ship Empire State VII is expected to return to the SUNY Maritime College campus in Fort Schuyler by mid-November. This follows an abrupt change in federal activation plans by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD).

Originally ordered into service in August for an anticipated 170-day mission, the 525-foot National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) was intended to support Military Sealift Command. While the specific nature of the mission remained undisclosed, MARAD previously indicated it was evaluating options to expand transportation capacity for naval operations in the Indo-Pacific.

The vessel departed New York for Norfolk, Virginia, on September 30 to undergo maintenance and flight deck certification. SUNY Maritime President Rear Admiral John A. Okon confirmed the change in plans, stating the ship will return for academic use and ship work. The early return mitigates potential disruptions to cadet training and the college’s academic programs.