DECEMBER 30, 2015 — Philly Shipyard, Inc. reports that it has signed a commitment letter with Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (Cat Financial) for a $150 million loan facility to finance the construction
DECEMBER 30, 2015 — Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. (NASDAQ: GIFI) reports that it has executed an asset purchase agreement with LEEVAC Shipyards, LLC and its related affiliates under which LEEVAC will sell
DECEMBER 28, 2015 — Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc., Panama City, FL, reports that its Allanton shipyard recently delivered M/V Harvey Sbisa (Hull 192). The 90 ft inland towboat is the sixty second
The shipyard is the sole operating subsidiary of Oslo-listed Philly Shipyard ASA, which is majority-owned by Converto Capital Fund, which in turn is majority-owned by Aker ASA.
“We are proud to deliver another ship to Crowley and the first under our new name, Philly Shipyard. The Texas, like our 21 previously delivered vessels, continues the long tradition of men and women building quality vessels in Philadelphia,” said Philly Shipyard President and CEO Steinar Nerbovik. “As we continue to build the eight ships in our backlog, we are always looking for more skilled men and women to add to our team.”
The 50,000 dwt, 330,000-barrel-capacity Texas and sister ship Ohio, which was delivered to Crowley in October, are first ever tankers to receive ABS(ABS) LNG-Ready Level 1 approval, meaning Crowley has the option to convert the tanker to liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled propulsion in the future. The remaining two product tankers being built by Philly Shipyards for Crowley have planned deliveries from the shipbuilder in 2016.
“We are excited to close out 2015 with the addition of this technologically advanced vessel to our fleet of U.S.-coastwise product tankers,” said Rob Grune, Crowley’s senior vice president and general manager, petroleum and chemical transportation. “We constantly strive for ways to enhance the services we provide to our chemical and petroleum customers. The introduction of vessels like Ohio and Texas, with their advanced technology and environmentally friendly fuel options, prove that we are innovating the industry and we are doing it with American built, Jones Act vessels.”
The new 50,000 dwt product tankers are based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design which incorporates numerous fuel efficiency features, flexible cargo capability, and meets the latest regulatory requirements. The vessel is 600 feet long and is capable of carrying crude oil or refined petroleum products.
Crowley’s Seattle-based, naval architecture and marine engineering subsidiary Jensen Maritime is providing construction management services for the product tankers. Jensen now has an on-site office and personnel at the Philadelphia shipyard to ensure strong working relationships with shipyard staff and a seamless construction and delivery program.
Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Coast Guard Hero Winslow Griesser.
Winslow W. Griesser, Keeper of the Buffalo Life-Saving Station in New York, was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal on February 23, 1901 for his heroic actions during a dramatic rescue on November 21, 1900.
“We are very pleased to announce the delivery of the latest FRC built by Bollinger Shipyards, the Winslow Griesser, to the 7th Coast Guard District in Puerto Rico,” said Bollinger President & CEO, Ben Bordelon. “We are looking forward to honoring and celebrating the heroic acts of Winslow Griesser at the vessel’s commissioning.”
To build the Coast Guard’s Sentinel-class FRC program, Bollinger Shipyards uses a proven, in-service parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708. It has a flank speed of 28 knots, state of the art command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessel’s 26 foot cutter boat. The FRC has been described as an operational “game changer,” by senior Coast Guard officials.
DECEMBER 23, 2015—Gibraltar-based ship repairer Gibdock reports that a surge in bookings by new and repeat customers into the first two quarters of 2016 will propel it in the first half of
DECEMBER 22, 2015 — Austal USA has been awarded a contract modification that adds$51,684,797 to its 10-ship $3.5 billion Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract for the U.S. Navy. The shipbuilder says the
Designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, the all-aluminum pilot boat is 52.6 ft long overall and has a 17-ft beam and 4.8-ft draft.
With a top speed of 25 knots, it is powered by twin Volvo Penta D16 diesel engines, each delivering 651 bhp at 1,800 rpm, turning five-bladed NiBrAl propellers via ZF 500-1-A gearboxes.
Each engine has a two-circuit Fernstrum keel-cooling system recessed into extra heavy bottom plating for operation in ice.Volvo Penta’s EVC system is mounted at the control stations in the wheelhouse and at the transom.The vessel is fitted with a Humphree Interceptor automatic trim optimization system.
The wheelhouse is outfitted with five Stidd seats and a three-zone, diesel-fired Espar Hydronic 35 heater for the cabin, main deck, and handrails. The forward wheelhouse windows feature ¾-inch electrically-heated laminated glass for de-icing. Interior sound levels are approximately 78 dba.
At the transom is a winch-operated rotating davit over a recessed platform for pilot rescue operation.
The new building is 160 feet long by 70 feet wide and 70 feet high and will allow larger hull sections to be construction in an indoor environment at the shipyard.
The building provides advanced climate control and has been fitted with two overhead cranes and state-of-the-art equipment.
It is large enough to accommodate the construction of complete tugboats or large hull sections in a controlled indoor environment.
Currently under construction in the building is an aft module of Hull 119, a 275 ft. coastal cruise ship.
The building demonstrates Chesapeake’s continuing commitment to quality and continuous improvement. The yard has upgraded its production capacity significantly in recent years, by acquiring additional land, building two new hull fabrication buildings and investing in additional automated equipment.
No mystery why the ninth NSC is in the legislation. It was put into 2016 Homeland Security appropriations bill (which was wrapped into the omnibus bill) by Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), who is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, even though it was widely criticized as “an unnecessary acquisition.”
“The demands on the Coast Guard to protect our coasts and waterways from terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling and other maritime threats are not diminishing. They’re increasing and will continue to do so as its jurisdiction in the Arctic region expands. The National Security Cutter is the best weapon we have to meet that demand,” said Senator Cochran, back in June. “The current Coast Guard production goal for only eight National Security Cutters is based on dated assessments and is insufficient to meet current or future requirements,”
“I am pleased that the Senate bill would maintain the national security cutter production line in order to give the Coast Guard more certainty and capabilities to meet its operational requirements,” he added.
The NSC production line is, of course, in Senator Cochran’s home state at the Pasagoula, MS, shipyard of Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding Division.