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

Harvey Gulf takes delivery of second LNG fueled OSV

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.”

MAN Diesel & Turbo renews agreement with China’s CMP

 

CMP is an engine-manufacturing division of the Chinese State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), one of the largest Chinese shipbuilders.

The new agreement, signed at a ceremony last week in Anqing, China, marks the renewal and continuation of a cooperation that first started in the 1980s.

“The extension of the four-stroke license agreement between CMP and MAN Diesel & Turbo is a tribute to the very first license we bonded 35 years ago,” said CMP Chairman Mr. Zhang Haisen. “Furthermore, the comprehensive cooperation scope refers not only to four-stroke diesel engines, but also to two-stroke low speed engines, CPP propellers, turbochargers, and SCR systems. CSSC values MAN Diesel & Turbo as its premium partner, and sincerely expects to continue this important business partnership to another 35-year milestone.”

“We have enjoyed a long, close cooperation with CSSC/CMP that stretches all the way back to 1980, and over the years CMP has produced a broad range of MAN four-stroke engines, but also small two-stroke engines,” said Klaus Engberg – Senior Vice President and Head of Two-Stroke Licensing, MAN Diesel & Turbo. “Especially over the last decade, our two companies have intensified their technical cooperation, making CMP today one of MAN Diesel & Turbo’s major licensees globally for such engines, and the largest producer of MAN four-stroke engines in China.”

Ulrich Vögtle – Vice President and Head of Large Bore Four-Stroke Licensing – said: “We view our relationship with CSSC as pivotal to our success in giving Chinese customers access to our technology. Accordingly, we are very happy and proud today to be able to officially announce the continuation of our excellent business relationship for the next decade.”

To date, CMP has delivered 5,000 units of MAN four-stroke diesel engines, equivalent to 4,700,000 kW. CMP also holds a license agreement for two-stroke MAN B&W engines, which it too renewed for a decade at a ceremony in Beijing earlier this year.

Headquartered in Beijing, CMP parent CSSC handles shipbuilding activities in the east and south of China and consists of various shipyards, equipment manufacturers, research institutes and shipbuilding-related companies. Some of the best-known shipbuilders in China, such as Jiangnan Shipyard and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, are currently owned by CSSC.

Zhenjiang Marine Diesel (ZJMD), CMP’s predecessor, was founded in 1976 and signed a 15-year medium-speed licensing agreement with MAN Diesel & Turbo in May 1980. This was subsequently extended in 1995 and 2005.

Vard issues a profit warning

Vard cited disclosures made in its first and second quarter reports regarding the operational challenges at its Brazilian shipyards of the group and what it called “the negative trend in the Brazilian economic and political environment/”It said third quarter and full year results “will be materially negatively affected.”

The details will be disclosed on November 11 when Vard announces its unaudited third quarter financial results. In the meantime, the Board is advising its shareholders and investors to exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the company.

Metal Shark delivers 75 ft port security fireboat

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.

JMS Naval Architects designs research vessel

OCTOBER 14, 2015—Next month, JMS Naval Architects, Mystic, CT, is expected to complete the Contract Design Package of a 93-foot research vessel for Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA to

Silver Ships delivers multi-mission boat

OCTOBER 14, 2015— Silver Ships, Inc., Theodore, AL, recently delivered a Freedom 21 all-aluminum patrol/rescue boat to the Southampton, NY, Bay Constables.  The 21-foot center console boat was designed and engineered for

Harley newbuild will be first with Cat marine Tier 4 engines

 

When Harley Marine decided to build the new line haul boat, the Earl W. Redd, for towing up and down the U.S. Pacific Coast, the company wanted a proven power platform that would meet the new emissions requirements.

Over the years, Harley Marine has successfully operated line haul tugs powered by Cat 3500 Tier 1 and Tier 2 propulsion engines. Cat dealer Peterson Power suggested two 3516E engines —a flexible power solution that addressed both Harley Marine’s need for power and the upcoming Tier 4 regulations.

To meet the Tier 4 Final emissions standards coming in 2016, each of the two continuous duty 3516E engines—individually rated with a 10% horsepower increase of 2,682 hp at 1,600 rpm—is paired with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system, using DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) a urea-based solution, to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust.

“Harley Marine should save over $1 million across a 15-year lifecycle on total fluid consumption (diesel plus DEF) costs for this newbuild compared to an equivalent Tier 2 powered vessel. They are able to deliver an increased level of performance due to the higher power rating with increased efficiency,” says Ryan Darnell of Caterpillar’s Large Power Systems division. “That’s a direct result of engine fuel efficiency improvements that our SCR technology allows us to make by reducing NOx downstream of the engine combustion process.”

Harley Marine has a long-standing relationship with Caterpillar Marine, including parts and service support from dealers across the United States.  In addition, Cat Financial has provided construction and ownership financing for multiple Harley Marine vessels— including the Earl W. Redd.

“Harley Marine appreciates that they can get the whole package from one source,” says Brent Nelson, a Caterpillar Marine territory sales manager who works closely with Harley Marine. “Caterpillar Marine is able to bring together multiple parties to make sure the design and installation is exactly what they need.”

For this particular vessel, that includes not just Harley Marine, but also Diversified Marine, Peterson Power, the naval architect and Cat engineers back at the factory. Caterpillar says that everything is now on track for the Cat engines to be delivered to the shipyard in April 2016, with vessel construction complete in October of that year.

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

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