JANUARY 10, 2016 — Andrew Bellamy is stepping down as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of shipbuilder Austal Limited (ASX:ASB). Announcing the move, Chairman John Rothwell said that Mr. Bellamy had
JANUARY 8, 2015 — Zwijndrecht, Belgium, headquartered dredging and hydraulic engineering specialist DEME reports the start of construction of its latest newbuild, the dual fueled multipurpose vessel Living Stone. The vessel is
JANUARY 5, 2016 — General Dynamics NASSCO delivered three lead ships in 2015: USNS Lewis B. Puller, the Isla Bella and the Lone Star State.Each is the lead ship in a new
DECEMBER 30, 2015 — Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) reports that it has signed a memo of agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. to build four new cruise ships
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
The agency last week signed a Notice to Proceed giving shipbuilder Vigor Industrial the go ahead to get started on work on the fourth vessel in the 144-vehicle capacity ferry series and work will begin in January.
The new ferry is funded through the Connecting Washington transportation package which is being paid for through a hike in state gasoline taxes.
WSF is building the Olympic Class ferries to replace some of the fleet’s oldest vessels. The Olympic Class design is based on the Issaquah class, the most versatile vessel in the WSF fleet.
Two of four are in service, the third will be complete in 2017 and the fourth is scheduled for completion in 2018.
The first vessel, Tokitae, joined the Mukilteo/Clinton route in June 2014. The second, Samish, was put into service on the Anacortes/San Juans Island route in June 2015. Chimacum, the third ferry, will replace one of the older vessels on the Seattle/Bremerton route in 2017.
“Our top priority is keeping the ferry system safe and reliable for the millions of commuters, freight haulers and travelers who depend on us every year,” said WSF Chief of Staff Elizabeth Kosa. “Thanks to state lawmakers and critical funds from Connecting Washington, we are able to meet some of the ferry system’s most urgent needs, including building this new ferry.”
Like the other vessels in the class, the fourth ferry will be built at Vigor Industrial, supporting about 500 jobs at Vigor’s Seattle shipyard and contractors around the region.
The budget to build the vessel is $122 million, and delivery is scheduled for mid-2018.
The Washington State Transportation Commission is leading a public process to determine the fourth ferry’s name.
Olympic Class ferries are equipped with the latest emergency-evacuation and fire-suppression systems, two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant elevators, and wider car-deck lanes that provide more room for passengers to access their vehicles.
The vessels’ hull design reduces wake and provides better fuel efficiency, while cleaner burning engines reduce emissions.
The first two Olympic Class ferries were delivered on time and under budget. The third vessel, under construction at Vigor, is on schedule and under budget and will be assigned to the Seattle/Bremerton route in early 2017.
After an extensive program of trials and tests, the 7,300 dwt vessel today departed Delfzijl on her first commercial voyage to Rostock where she will receive her first cement load.
With dimensions of 109,66 m x 14.99 m, M.V. Greenland is a dedicated cement carrier build for the joint venture JT cement, in which Erik Thun AB cooperates with KG Jebsen Cement from Norway.
The vessel is the first ever dry cargo ship with an LNG fueled propulsion system and LNG tanks integrated inside the hull. The unique design incorporates a pressurized LNG tank positioned in the foreship.
The vessel has a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF main engine, with Wärtsilä also supplying an enclosed Gas Valve Unit (GVU) for easier installation and additional engine room safety.
The cement cargo system consists of a fully automated cement loading and unloading system, based on fluidization of cement by means of compressed air. The cement can be loaded and unloaded fully enclosed through pipes and is thus dust-free.
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.
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
The MT 6022 design vessel, built in 2008 by Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven Verft A/S, features three work class ROV’s, a high-load capacity deck, and a Hydramarine main crane with a lifting capacity of 250 tonnes and a wire of 2,450 m. The vessel accommodates up to 120 people, and has a low fuel consumption thanks to its diesel electric power plant.
Rem Offshore ASA said that delivery of the vessel will take place shortly and that the sale will give it a booked profit, and net cash of approx. NOK 200 mill after repayment of debt.
The vessel is presently on a long term charter agreement with DeepOcean Shipping AS. The work scope involves subsea tree and jumper installation in up to 2,000 m water depth. Maersk Supply Service will take over this charter agreement including the option for extensions.
“Being part of a group with a strong balance sheet allows us to take advantage of the opportunities arising in the industry,” says Maersk Supply Service CEO Jørn Madsen. “This acquisition of a quality asset is fully in line with our strategic ambition of growing our subsea fleet and at the same time adds contract coverage during a period of market downturn. The work scope is well related to our area of expertise, and we look forward to working with our long-term customer, DeepOcean, on this operation.”
“Maersk and DeepOcean have a long and successful track record of cooperation on vessel charters, including the most recent long term charter agreement for the new-build Maersk Connector,” says DeepOcean Commercial Director Henk van den Ijssel. “This seven-year agreement for a market leading 7,000 t capacity cable installation vessel, arriving first quarter 2016 and already three contracts secured, shows a dedicated long term commitment from both companies.