Ingalls authenticates keel of Paul Ignatius (DDG 117)

The Aegis guided missile destroyer, Paul Ignatius (DDG 117). DDG 117 is the 31st ship in the Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class of destroyers Ingalls is building for the U.S. Navy.

“The keel authentication is an important milestone in a ship’s life and it’s really a foundation upon which the ship is made,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “Paul Ignatius epitomizes the leadership and agility that has propelled our nation forward – I couldn’t think of a better namesake for DDG 117. Over the coming years as we build this great ship, our shipbuilders know what we do is important. We are building great ships to defend our nation, to protect the brave men and women who will serve on this ship and come back safely home to their families.”

Ingalls welder Reginald Whisenhunt welded the initials of two authenticators — the ship’s namesake Paul Ignatius and 26-year shipbuilder Bill Jones, an Ingalls hull superintendent —onto a steel plate signifying the keel of DDG 117 to be “truly and fairly laid.”

The plate will remain affixed to the ship throughout the ship’s lifetime.

“It is a pleasure for me to be here with Huntington Ingalls officials and the men and women who are building DDG 117,” said Mr. Ignatius, whose wife, Nancy Ignatius, is the ship’s sponsor. “DDG 117 will become part of our country’s proud destroyer tradition. Built tougher than steel by one of America’s leading shipbuilders, constructed by dedicated and skilled shipyard technicians and manned eventually by the world’s finest naval officers and seamen, this new ship will sail for many decades into the future.”

“Every time the men and women of Ingalls craft another destroyer, they build a living, lasting remembrance of either the courage, the leadership or the intellectual contribution of the very best that the Navy and Marine Corps have to offer,” said Capt. Mark Vandroff, the Navy’s DDG 51 program manager.

Ingalls is building three other destroyers — John Finn (DDG 113), which is scheduled to be delivered in 2016, Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), which will launch by the end of the year and Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), which started construction in July.

To date, Ingalls has delivered 28 DDG 51 destroyers to the U.S. Navy. .

Bollinger delivers FRC Joseph Napier

 

The delivery of the 154 ft patrol craft came just four days after the commissioning of the 14th FRC, Heriberto Hernandez, in a ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The FRC is designed to patrol coastal zones and conduct missions such as drug and migrant interdiction; ports, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense. The 154-foot FRCs have a flank speed of 28 knots, a range of 2,950 nautical miles and feature stern cutter boat launch; advanced command, control, communication, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment; and improved seakeeping and habitability. They are replacing the service’s 110-foot patrol boats, which entered service in the 1980s.

Bollinger is building the ships using 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.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. The fifteenth vessel is named after Coast Guard Hero Joseph Napier.

Joseph Napier, Keeper of St. Joseph Life-Saving Station 6, showed his true heroism and courage as he risked his life and led his crew into gale-force winds to rescue the men of the wrecked schooner, the D.G. Williams in October 1877. Napier demonstrated his courage during multiple rescues as a career lifesaver of the Great Lakes.

“We are very pleased to announce the delivery of the latest FRC built by Bollinger Shipyards, the Joseph Napier, to the 7th Coast Guard District in Puerto Rico. We are looking forward to honoring and celebrating the heroic acts of Joseph Napier at the vessel’s commissioning,” said Bollinger’s President & CEO, Ben Bordelon

NASSCO christens first Kinder Morgan ECO tanker

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer spoke at the ceremony, and the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Helen Downs, christened the ship with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle.

 

The ECO tanker, the Lone Star State, is the first of a five-tanker contract between NASSCO and APT, which calls for the design and construction of five 50,000 deadweight ton, LNG-conversion-ready product carriers with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity. The 610-foot-long tankers are a new “ECO” design, offering improved fuel efficiency and the latest environmental protection features including a Ballast Water Treatment System.

The ships were designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) of Busan, South Korea. The design incorporates improved fuel efficiency concepts through several features, including a G-series MAN ME slow-speed main engine and an optimized hull form. The tankers will also have dual-fuel-capable auxiliary engines and the ability to accommodate future installation of an LNG fuel system.

“Incorporating new and innovative green ship technology, these tankers are the future of American petroleum shipping. When delivered they will be among the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly tankers anywhere in the world,” said Kevin Graney, general manager and vice president for General Dynamics NASSCO.

“This christening ceremony is an important step forward for Kinder Morgan’s expanding fleet of Jones Act product tankers and demonstrates the strong demand for domestic waterborne transportation to move petroleum products and crude oil,” said Robert Kurz, vice president of Kinder Morgan Terminals and president of American Petroleum Tankers. “We look forward to taking delivery of this vessel next month and, along with our seven other operating tankers, providing first-class service to our growing customer base.”

In September 2014, Mayor Faulconer signaled the start of construction of the ECO tanker. In March 2015, San Diego’s First Lady and wife of Mayor Faulconer, Mrs. Katherine Faulconer, laid the keel.

“The Lone Star State is a great example of the kind of innovative technology being employed by NASSCO and our blue tech industry. Its construction has employed hundreds of San Diegans and helped sustain jobs for thousands more,” Mayor Faulconer said. “This ship is a symbol of the jobs and opportunities the maritime industry brings to our city.”

On Friday, October 16, NASSCO shipbuilders began construction on a fifth tanker for APT.

Davie partners with marine accommodations specialist

OCTOBER 19, 2915 — Canadian shipbuilder Chantier Davie Canada, Inc. says it has formalized a partnership with Turku, Finland, headquartered ALMACO Group, which is perhaps best known for its work on cruise

NASSCO delivers world’s first LNG fueled box ship

With the tragic loss of the TOTE ship El Faro still weighing heavily on the whole American maritime community, the delivery was not greeted with the celebrations that would normally mark an achievement of this magnitude.

 

The ship is the first delivered under a two-ship contract signed in December 2012 with TOTE. The two 764-foot long Marlin Class containerships will be the largest dry cargo ships fueled by LNG.

“Successfully building and delivering the world’s first LNG-powered containership here in the United States for coastwise service demonstrates that commercial shipbuilders, and owners and operators, are leading the world in the introduction of cutting-edge, green technology in support of the Jones Act,” said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics NASSCO.

The shipbuilder says the delivery is the result of a successful collaboration between industry and regulatory bodies. TOTE, NASSCO, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the U.S. Coast Guard worked hand-in-hand from the beginning of the project to the delivery of the Isla Bella. This included collaboration during the design approval, construction and commissioning the ship to safely and effectively operate on natural gas.

Department of Justice and Chouest yard reach settlement

The agreement resolves a complaint filed with the Justice Department’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC), claiming that the company retaliated against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination with OSC.

Based on its investigation, the department determined that North American Shipbuilding retaliated against an employee for filing a charge with OSC by, among other things, barring him from the company’s business facilities. The anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prohibits employers from intimidating, threatening, coercing or retaliating against workers who file a charge under the law.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the company has agreed, among other things, to pay a civil penalty and to offer $15,000 in back pay to the injured party. The company also has agreed to train its employees on the anti-discrimination provision of the INA and to review and revise its employment policies.

“Retaliation against employees for contacting government agencies entrusted to investigate possible violations of the law will not be tolerated,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division. “Employees should not be afraid to speak up about their treatment in the workplace.”

Read the settlement agreement HERE

Vigor wins $11.79 million MSC hospital ship contract

The overhaul will address numerous steel repairs; flight deck resurfacing; fuel oil, feed, and potable water tank repairs; sewage piping modifications; fire main piping replacements; annual crane inspections; and underwater hull preservation to support in the ship’s daily operations.

The contract includes six optional work items which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $12,670,810.
Work will be performed in Vigor’s, Portland, OR, shipyard, and is expected to be completed by the end of January 2016.

Fiscal 2016 maintenance and repair funding in the amount of $11,797,840 are being obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The contract was competitively procured with two offers.

The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, VA, is the contracting activity (N32205-16-C-4400).

Davie set to start box ship to fleet oiler conversion

The project will see Davie convert MV Asterix, a 183 m containership acquired from Greece’s Capital Ship Management for a reported Canadian $20 million, into a stop gap fleet oiler for the Royal Canadian Navy. Some of the work will be done by the Aecon Group, whose Pictou, Nova Scotia, facility specializes in pipe fabrication. At one time it was thought that the Asterix would go first to Aecon’s Pictou shipyard, but its arrival at Davie indicates that Aecon will work on the ship there.

The interim fleet oiler is needed because of the earlier than anticipated retirement of Canada’s Protecteur-class ships.

In March last year, Davie and its partners, Aecon, naval architect firm NavTech and V.Ships, set out to find an interim solution that would provide a fast-track, affordable, compliant and fully managed service.

After over one year of design, engineering and planning, after a lengthy consultation with industry, an agreement was reached in August 2015 with the Government of Canada to provide at-sea support services to the Royal Canadian Navy.That agreement is a letter of intent that, according to the Government, provided the two companies “with the ability to start limited activities to advance the schedule. It will also provide some financial protection to the shipyard for these expenses, should a contract not be awarded. Any proposed costs would be pre-approved by the government, which will require Davie to provide a rationale in every instance.”

What the status of an actual contract is remains unclear. But the Asterix is already at the shipyard with Davie saying that the “acquisition from its former owners is now complete.”

The cost of the conversion has been reported as Canadian $250-300 million.

Once converted, the ship will be chartered to the Canadian Government by Project Resolve, Inc. which, like Davie, is a subsidiary of privately held, Monaco headquartered Inocea Group.

Reportedly, the Canadian Government will pay Canadian $75 million a year to charter the vessel. The ship will be crewed with Canadian merchant mariners.

Yesterday, the ship provided the back drop for the introduction of the CEO of Project Resolve Inc., Spencer Fraser, to the Lévis-Bellechasse candidates. He likely showed them some of the pictures you see here.

Resolve SM2

project resolve finished product

Resolve exploded

Gladding-Hearn delivers new generation pilot launch

The 28 knot vessel is the association’s second Chesapeake Class launch and the first in a new generation of the popular, mid-size pilot boats.

The Somerset, MA, shipyard introduced the Chesapeake Class pilot boat in 2003.Since then, 15 have been delivered to pilot associations throughout the U.S.

The latest improvements incorporate the performance benefits of Volvo Penta’s IPS2 inboard propulsion system.

“The IPS2 system was created to improve the performance and the arrangement of planning hulls like our pilot boats,” said Peter Duclos, the shipyard’s president. “This new generation of Chesapeake launches, named Chesapeake Class MKII, is equipped with the IPS2 pods, which provide what pilots have been asking for: higher speeds, lower fuel consumption, and more comfort.”

With a deep-V hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, the all-aluminum pilot boat measures 52.7 ft overall, with a 16.8-ft beam and a 4.5-ft draft.

It is powered by twin Volvo Penta D11, six cylinder, EPA Tier 3 diesel engines, each producing 503 bhp at 2,250 rpm. Each engine is connected to a Volvo Penta IPS propulsion pod, which is fitted with dual forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers and integrated exhaust system, and Volvo Penta’s integrated EPS electronic steering and control system.

The EPS control system and three-axis joystick increases the boat’s overall maneuverability alongside a ship and when docking, says Mr. Duclos.

The financial incentive for the Tampa Bay pilots to optimize fuel economy, vessel handling and comfort led the shipyard to install a Humphree Interceptor automatic trim- optimization system.

“The combination of the Volvo Penta IPS system and the Humphree interceptors gives the pilots higher speeds and improved comfort, while burning 25 percent less fuel than similar Chesapeake Class launches,” says Mr. Duclos.

Electrical requirements are met by a 9 kW Northern Lights generator.

Key design changes to the Chesapeake Class MKII include positioning the wheelhouse aft of amidships to improve comfort and provide for a larger foredeck.

With the pods close-coupled to the engines, the engine room is located well aft of the wheelhouse with easy access to machinery through a deck hatch.

This new generation of pilot boats is also designed to accept a gyro-stabilization system, designed to reduce vessel roll.

The wheelhouse, with forward-leaning windows, is outfitted with five Stidd seats and a settee and cooled by two 16,000 Btu air-conditioning units.

The forecastle, with a 12,000 Btu AC unit, has one berth and an enclosed head.Outside of the wheelhouse are wide side-decks and boarding platforms, port and starboard, on the foredeck.

At the transom is a winch-operated, rotating davit over a recessed platform for pilot rescues operations.

Aker Philly cuts steel for two more Kinder Morgan tankers

Construction on the two Jones Act vessels officially began in the shipyard’s fabrication shop when guest of honor Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack pushed the button on the shipyard’s plasma cutting machine. The first steel plates that were cut will later become part of the engine room.

At the ceremony, the shipbuilder’s President and CEOI, Steinar Nerbovik, said: “With construction underway on these two product tankers, we celebrate the capstone of an exciting eight tanker series that is part of Philadelphia’s contribution to the energy landscape of this country. The 1,100 men and women working at the shipyard will be busy for years to come completing these tankers and the other vessels we have under contract.”

“We are very pleased to be working with the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard on the construction of four, LNG-conversion-ready tankers, and the start of construction of these two vessels marks a milestone for our expanding fleet,” said Robert Kurz, Vice President of Kinder Morgan Terminals and President of APT. “There continues to be a strong demand for domestic marine transportation of petroleum products and crude oil, and these tankers will provide Kinder Morgan with additional new tonnage to better service our customers.”
The next generation 50,000 dwt product tanker is based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design that incorporates numerous fuel efficiency features, flexible cargo capability, and the latest regulatory requirements. When completed, each of the 600-foot tankers will have a carrying capacity of 14.5 million gallons to transport crude oil or refined products.

Also under construction at the shipyard are three 50,000 dwt product tankers for Crowley with planned deliveries through 2016, the first two 50,000 dwt tankers for APT with planned deliveries in 2016 and 2017, and two containerships for Matson Navigation Company, Inc. with planned deliveries in 2018.

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