Aker Philadelphia cuts steel for Matson 3,600 TEU box ships

In 2013, Matson subsidiary Matson Navigation Company, Inc. signed a contract with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) to build the two new ships for a price of $418 million for the pair (see earlier story). Since signing the contracts, engineering, planning and procurement work have been underway.

The shipbuilder is expected to deliver the ships in the third and fourth quarters of 2018.

The 850-foot long, 3,600 TEU vessels will be Matson’s largest ships and the largest Jones Act containerships ever constructed. Despite their size, they are designed to accommodate future needs by being able to navigate safely into some of Hawaii’s smaller ports.

They will also be faster, designed to operate at speeds in excess of 23 knots, helping ensure timely delivery of goods in Hawaii.

The new vessels will incorporate a number of “green ship technology” features including a more fuel efficient hull design, dual fuel engines that can be adapted to use liquefied natural gas (LNG), environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks and fresh water ballast systems.

“These new ships are the future for Hawaii shipping and will bring a new level of efficiency and effectiveness to our service,” said Matt Cox, president and CEO, Matson. “The substantial investment in new technology underscores Matson’s long-term commitment to Hawaii and our desire to serve the islands in the best, most environmentally friendly way into the future.”

The first ships to be delivered by Aker Philadelphia were four Jones Act containerships for Matson delivered between 2003 and 2006.

“We are excited to partner with Matson again and return to our construction roots building containerships,” said Aker Philadelphia President and CEO Steinar Nerbovik. “It’s an exciting time to be a shipbuilder as we embark on simultaneously building containerships and product tankers, fulfilling our commitments to customers and shareholders.”

USCG to review WSF plan to handle LNG at terminals

Last year on June 27, the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound had received a Letter of Intent (LOI) and a Waterway Suitability Assessment (WSA) from Washington State Ferries to modify their marine terminals to handle LNG. In accordance with regulation and policy guidance, the Captain of the Port (COTP), Coast Guard Puget Sound Sector, in cooperation with key stakeholders, will review and validate the information in the WSA. Once the COTP reviews the WSA, he will issue a Letter of Recommendation to the Washington Department of Transportation recommending the suitability of the Puget Sound waterways the will be used for LNG marine traffic as it relates to safety and security.

Public comments received last November regarding WSF’s proposal will be considered in the development of the COTP’s Letter of Recommendation. Some of the comments received expressed concern about the exposed location of the LNG tanks on the top deck of the converted ferries posed a security threat. Other comments thought that LNG poses a pollution threat to the environment. The Coast Guard will examine WSF’s Emergency and Operations Manuals covering the LNG transfer system and transfer procedures.

Proposed conversion

Once WSF receives the Letter of Recommendation from the Coast Guard, it will be able to move forward with the retrofit of the first Issaquah Class ferry, which will serve as a proof of concept for the remaining vessels in the class. The diesel-powered ferries carry about 1,200 passengers and 124 vehicles.

The state’s ferries, says WSF, are the largest single source of marine carbon emissions in the state. It expects to cut CO2, particulate matter, SOx, and NOx emissions significantly with the use of LNG s a marine fuel.

The WSDOT also expects to reap some cost savings, although the picture is not as compelling as it was last year when oil was at $100 per barrel. During testimony this past January before a State Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunication Subcommittee, Lynne Griffith, Assistant Secretary of Transportation, Ferries Division, said there would be a $1 per gallon savings when burning LNG as compared with burning Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. WSF burns about 18 million gallons of fuel annually. The cost of fuel now represents about 23 percent of the Fiscal Year 2013-2015 operting budget as compared with 11 percent in Fiscal Year 2000-2001. Any ferries that would burn LNG would have to be refueled by tanker truck every seven to 10 days.

 

World’s largest semi-sub is in the water

 

The semi-submersible is the central processing facility (CPF) for the Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG Project offshore Western Australia,

The 150 m x 110 m central processing facility (CPF) processes the product received via flexible risers from production wells, separating it into gas and condensate.

A floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility receives the condensate which it stores and offloads onto tankers for shipping and export.

The gas is delivered via pipeline to an onshore gas liquefaction plant that extracts condensate and LPG then cools and liquefies the remaining gas.

concept img

Inpex President Director Australia Seiya Ito called the successful launch of the CPF one of the project’s most significant achievements.

“To see this enormous facility in the water is a testament to those who have worked for years to make it a reality,” Mr. Ito said. “This milestone is a clear demonstration that the Ichthys LNG Project is making good progress and that we are working in an excellent spirit of cooperation with our Korean contractors.”

“The operation was completed within two days in the safest conditions,” said Managing Director Ichthys LNG Project Louis Bon. “The CPF is now berthed quayside at the shipyard where work is continuing to lift and install the living quarters and integrate and commission all equipment in preparation for the CPF’s sail away. All teams are working together in a very efficient manner to achieve our next targets.”

Once completed, the CPF will be towed 5,600 kilometers to the Ichthys Field in the Browse Basin, where it will be permanently moored for the life of the Project – more than 40 years.

Time lapse video of CPF under construction

LNG: Frederiksen and Exmar call off the wedding

Today, Flex LNG Ltd. noted that completion of the transaction had been subject to, among other things, satisfactory due diligence and agreement on definitive transaction documents.

“The parties have failed to agree on the definitive transaction documents and the previously announced transaction will not be completed,” said Flex LNG, adding that it and Geveran Trading, will continue with the construction of the two 174 cu.m Panamax LNG carriers it has under construction at shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries for 2018.

Flex LNG said that it will also “examine other strategic alternatives to add value to the company and its shareholders, including considerations of opportunities across the LNG value chain. The current condition of the LNG market could give interesting consolidation and growth opportunities for the company.”

Exmar said: “The parties have failed to agree on the terms. The previously announced transaction will not be completed.”Exmar will continue focusing on LNG infrastructure and pursue its strategy of barge based FLNG and FSRU projects.”

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