Why the U.S. Military Just Activated the Training Ship Empire State VII to Sail to Diego Garcia

The U.S. Department of Defense has officially ordered the activation of the Empire State VII, one of the Maritime Administration's new National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV). Usually serving as a training ship for SUNY Maritime College, this vessel is now heading on a 170-day mission to the strategic base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

In this video, Sal Mercogliano breaks down why this specific ship was chosen, the potential missions it will undertake—from housing military personnel to emergency evacuations—and the logistical challenges of a month-long voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. We also look at the impact this activation has on the cadets and faculty at SUNY Maritime who rely on the ship for their academic year.

Key Takeaways

🚢The Activation Order: Empire State VII is being activated as of September 1st for a 170-day Department of Defense mission.

🚢Strategic Mission: The ship is likely headed to Diego Garcia to serve as a high-capacity "crewing facility" (housing up to 1,000 people) or to assist in potential personnel shuttling due to aerial threats in the region.

🚢Logistics & Route: Due to risks in the Red Sea, the ship will likely sail the long way around Africa, a 28-day journey at 15 knots.

🚢Impact on Training: The activation creates a significant hardship for SUNY Maritime, as the ship’s engines and labs are essential for cadet training during the academic year.

🚢The NSMV Program: A look at why the dual-role design of these ships is proving critical for national security and why building more than the planned five vessels might be necessary.

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Email: mercoglianosal@gmail.com

MARAD Activates SUNY Maritime Training Ship Empire State VII for Undisclosed National Mission