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
The vessel is already in service under a five year contract working for Shell Upstream America’s deep water operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Like her sistership Harvey Energy, Harvey Power is capable of operating on LNG or diesel fuel and also meets the criteria of the ABS Enviro+, Green Passport notation.
When operating on 99% LNG, the dual fuel vessels exceed the requirements of the new EPA Tier IV for reductions of SOX and NOX emissions within the North American ECA can operate in excess of 19 days in normal GOM rig supply mode between refuelings.
Harvey Power will refuel with LNG at Harvey Gulf’s new LNG bunkering facility at Port Fourchon in southern Louisiana, which allows easy access to more than 600 oil and gas rigs and platforms within a 40-mile radius.
Harvey Power is a 310′ x 64′ x 24.5′ platform supply vessel powered by three Wärtsilä 6L34DF dual fuel gensets, providing 7.5 MW of power and fueled by a Wartsila provided LNGPac system.
With 5,219 metric tons of deadweight the vessel is capable of carrying 253,000 USG of fuel oil, 18,000 bbls of liquid mud, 1,600 bbls of methanol, 10,250 cu.ft of dry cement and 73,000 USG of LNG fuel.
When operating on LNG the Harvey Power can operate in excess of 19 days in normal GOM rig supply mode between refueling.
The acquisition of Gulf Coast Shipyard Group by a new Harvey Gulf International Marine affiliate, Harvey Shipyard Group, was announced back in June.
The shipbuilder’s new COO, Marvin Serna, says that new protocols and operational improvements he has put in place are yielding results, such as a 45 day reduction in the commissioning time of the second vessel in comparison with the first.
Harvey Gulf has four more vessels under construction with Gulf Coast Shipyard Group and is confident the shipyard can maintain the high quality of construction while continuing to improve on construction techniques resulting in shorter delivery times.
Mr. Shane Guidry, Chairman and CEO of Harvey Gulf, says: “This is our second vessel capable of operating on LNG and is a testimony of Harvey Gulf’s commitment to its customers and the environment to provide the most affordable, innovative, environmentally-friendly technical solutions to meet their business demands.”
Based on the shipbuilder’s Endurance-class catamaran design, the welded aluminum vessel incorporates sophisticated technology to support fire rescue missions, Command and Control (C2) operations, and around-the-clock port security efforts at the port, which stretches 54 miles along the Mississippi River.
Twin Cat C-18 diesel engines in a conventional straight-shaft inboard configuration propel the vessel’s catamaran hull to cruising speeds of 25 knots while giving it a nominal operating range of over 500 miles.
For firefighting, two dedicated drive engines channel up to 6,000 total gallons per minute through an oversized water main where electronic valves divert water to three radio frequency-controlled monitors. Four additional 2.5″ hydrant connections and a 400-gallon foam reservoir provide maximum flexibility across the spectrum of firefighting needs.
The spacious pilothouse provides 360-visibility and comfortable below decks quarters offer bunking capacity for six or more crew members, fully equipping the vessel to stay on station for extended periods.
A state of the art Command and Control suite facilitiates multi-agency coordination during emergency response events, with a positive-pressure Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) ventilation system protecting the crew in disaster response situations.
“Our 75 ft Endurance is the most advanced fireboat design on the market, incorporating crew friendly features and advanced systems throughout,” said Metal Shark president Chris Allard. “Metal Shark is honored to have been selected by PSLA to deliver this new vessel. We trust that this new Metal Shark will meet PSLA’s needs, help keep their port secure, and potentially save many lives for years to come.”
A product of Metal Shark’s Franklin, LA, shipyard, the 75 ft Endurance can be custom-configured to suit a wide range of mission profiles. Metal Shark offers the vessel with a wide range of power and propulsion systems, including conventional inboards, water jets and pods, to meet various performance requirements.
Virtually every vessel feature, from firefighting equipment and capacity, onboard systems, general arrangement, berth capacity, etc. can be adapted to suit the needs of individual customers and agencies. In addition to port security and fire rescue, the 75 ft Endurance can be configured for dive support, law enforcement, defense, and numerous commercial markets. Endurance-class vessels are available from 45 ft and up.
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.
The decision follows a 12-month competitive tender process that involved bids from shipyards in the U.K., Spain, Norway, Singapore and South Korea.
The Birkenhead shipyard is expected to cut steel in autumn 2016 and deliver the next generation polar research vessel ready for operation by 2019.
Cammell Laird Chief Executive John Syvret said: “The new contract, which will be finalized later this year, is expected to secure 400 jobs at Cammell Laird and a further 100 jobs within the local supply chain. Cammell Laird has a very successful apprenticeship scheme and would plan to recruit 60 apprentices throughout the term of the contract. Being selected as the preferred bidder in a global tender to undertake such an exciting and major infrastructure project is fantastic news for our workforce, the local region and the U.K. We look forward to helping the U.K. explore the depths of the ocean and push the boundaries of U.K. science.”
The new polar research ship, which will operate in both Antarctica and the Arctic, will be able to endure up to 60 days in sea-ice to enable scientists to gather more observations and data.
It is expected to have ice-breaking capabilities that will allow it to break ice up to one meter thick when traveling at 3 knots and will be able to accommodate up to 60 researchers and technical support staff.
The ship will be the first British-built polar research vessel with a heli-deck to open up new locations for science and will be one of the most sophisticated floating research laboratories operating in the Polar Regions.
Funding for the new polar research ship was announced in April 2014 as part of the U.K. Government’s science capital program.
Cammell Laird has been selected by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through a full competitive procurement process.
NERC Chief Executive Professor Duncan Wingham said: “This new research ship, which is expected to become operational in 2019, will be equipped with onboard laboratory facilities and will be capable of deploying robotic technologies to monitor environmental changes to the polar oceans and will help U.K. scientists continue to lead the world in understanding our polar regions.
“Changes in both the Antarctic and Artic marine ecosystems affect the U.K.’s environment and economy, particularly in industries such as fishing and tourism. The Natural Environment Research Council funds polar research so that as a nation, we can develop policies to adapt to, mitigate or live with environmental change.
“This new polar ship will be a platform for a broad range of science, researching subjects from oceanography and marine ecology to geophysics.”
The new ice-strengthened ship will be operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), on behalf of NERC.
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.
The main deck allows for four passenger loading stations and features a large cabin, hosting 286 first-class seats, 20 lounge seats, and four handicap accommodation seating areas. The cabin also features a kid’s play area with surrounding seating.
On the aft deck is a cargo room with cargo loading gates, able to fit a portable conveyor belt for efficient loading and unloading. The aft deck also features three restrooms, one of them handicapped accessible.
The mid deck features cabin hosting 144 first-class seats and 32 lounge seats.
Forward of the cabin is the raised wheelhouse, with wing control stations on port and starboard sides. Aft of the cabin, a spacious deck that offers 112 exterior seats. A mini-bar is located in the center of the arrangement with a stage for entertainment behind the cabin.
The upper deck provides a large observation area including 36 exterior seats.Five MTU 16V400M63L engines power the ferries five Hamilton HM-811 water jets via ZF-7650 gearboxes, giving it a service speed of 37 knots.
Electrical requirements are met by two 150 ekW generator sets.
A 200hp bow thruster will enhance maneuverability and station keeping.
No word on the shipbuilder.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 — Following a naming ceremony in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday, Promar Shipping Services has taken delivery of Mamola Defender. the second of two Damen PSV 3300 platform supply vessels ordered
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — A brief announcement from the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of France, said today that President Francois Hollande and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had
The contract has been secured through the Ghanaian entity Eidesvik Ghana Limited, which is operated by Ghanaian partners in cooperation with Eidesvik, and Technip.
The firm contract period is 50 days plus mobilization period with an option for charterers to extend the scope of work by a further 50 days. Work is expected to start in the middle of the fourth quarter of this year.
Designed by Salt Ship Design, the 145 m x 31 m OCV has a 400 ton crane and was delivered by shipbuilder Kleven Verft’s Eidesvik, Norway, shipyard in February 2015.
Eidesvik Offshore says the ship “stands out as an excellent base for complex subsea operations” and with the joint crew from Technip and Eidesvik has delivered excellent performance.
“The vessel has been operating for Technip since she was delivered from the yard and we are very pleased to continue the good relation and cooperation between the Technip and Eidesvik teams onboard the vessel and onshore”, says Jan Fredrik Meling, CEO of Eidesvik Offshore ASA.
The end-user is Tullow Ghana Limited, the operator and part-owner of the TEN field in Ghana.