Huntington Ingalls Industries Helping Virginians Get Back to Work
U.S. shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries announced it has signed on to be a business partner of the Virginia Ready Initiative (VA Ready), a new initiative launched in response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to help unemployed Virginians across the commonwealth get back to work quickly. VA Ready, in partnership with businesses and Virginia’s community colleges, equips people who are out of work with the required skills for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors.HII…
Kooiman Marine Group Wins Dredger Order
The Netherlands-based shipbuilding and engineering firm Kooiman Marine Group said it has received an order for the design and construction of a new 1,500-cubic-meter trailing suction hopper dredger for Detlef Hegemann Aktiengesellschaft.The 75.9-meter-long Hegemann V has been developed by Kooiman Engineering, part of Kooiman Marine Group, in close collaboration with Hegemann Dredging to execute multiple…
Wärtsilä to Supply Bridge Systems for Five Icebreaking Gas Carriers
Finland-based marine engine and technology provider Wärtsilä said it has been contracted to deliver a complete bridge systems installation for five icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled tankers to be constructed for the Arctic LNG-2 project. The navigational systems are delivered by Wärtsilä Voyage, the new business responsible for digital solutions and decision support tools to enhance safety…
USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Commissioned
The U.S. Navy commissioned USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Wednesday without the typical fanfare and traditional public commissioning ceremony due to public health and safety restrictions on large public gatherings amid the conronavirus pandemic.Delivered in February, USS Tripoli is the U.S. Navy's second America-class amphibious assault ship built by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
Bisso Towboat Orders Tug at Main Iron Works
Luling, La.-based Bisso Towboat said it has signed an agreement with Houma, La. shipbuilder Main Iron Works to begin construction of a new 6,008 BHP azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tractor tug. Construction is scheduled to commence in August 2020 with delivery expected in early fall of 2021.The EPA Tier 4 compliant tug will feature two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main propulsion engines generating 3,004 BHP each at 1800 RPM.
Maritime Training amid COVID-19
Good maritime training provides much more than the certifications, licenses and documentation needed to qualify for the job. It goes beyond preparing crews to carry out onboard functions safely and efficiently day in and day out. Well-trained mariners have the skills and knowledge to handle almost anything thrown their way – even when confronting the unexpected. But what happens when the unexpected is a pandemic?COVID-19’s effects on industries across the world have been widespread and diverse…
Red Funnel Gains DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance
U.K. ferry operator Red Funnel said it is the world’s first domestic ferry operator to receive the DNV GL COVID-19 Statement of Compliance. The assessment certifies that Red Funnel has established reasonable measures to safeguard passengers, employees and crew from the COVID-19 infection.“The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on passenger vessels across Europe. As lockdown measures begin to relax in the U.K.…
Keel Laid for Polaris New Energy LNG Bunker Barge
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding hosted a private ceremonial keel laying June 24 celebrating the start of construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge for Polaris New Energy.The barge will be named the Clean Canaveral and will operate as an articulated tug and barge unit (ATB) that initially runs along the U.S. East Coast providing LNG bunkering solutions to NorthStar Midstream’s customers.Modern ships are now largely built in a series of prefabricated…
US Great Lakes Ports See Mixed Impacts from COVID-19
U.S. Great Lakes ports reported mixed results in June with aluminum, road salt and grain shipments holding strong despite the coronavirus pandemic, while shipments of commodities related to steel production and manufacturing have continued to slide.Additionally, the St. Lawrence Seaway reported that from April 1 to June 30, nearly 11.7 million metric tons of cargo was shipped via the bi-national trade corridor.
Firefighters Evacuated from Listing USS Bonhomme Richard
The U.S. Navy said it has cleared the burning USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and its adjacent San Diego pier of all personnel due to a shift in the vessel's list. The warship has been ablaze since Sunday morning."Out of an abundance of caution the pier and ship were cleared of personnel due to an initial shift in the ship’s list. Personnel are now pier side. We will continue to monitor as the ship settles." the Navy said in a statement at 2:30 a.m.
What's Behind Rising Tensions in the South China Sea?
The United States this week hardened its position on the South China Sea, where it has accused China of attempting to build a "maritime empire" in the potentially energy-rich waters, despite regional concerns.The rivals have accused each other of stoking tension in the strategic waterway at a time of strained relations over everything from the new coronavirus to trade to Hong Kong.A statement from U.S.
NYK Invests in Tugboat Biz at Largest Port in Vietnam
NYK Line (Vietnam) Co. Ltd. acquired 15% of total issued shares of Thoresen Vinama Tug Co. Ltd. (TVT hereunder) and entered the tugboat business at Phu My and Cai Mep ports in Vietnam.TVT has two tugboats providing tugboat services at Phu My and Cai Mep ports, located in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh and the largest ports in the nation in terms of import/export cargo and inbound/outbound vessels.NYK made this investment decision after considering the tugboat business in Vietnam…
Delfin LNG Gets Another Year to Build Floating LNG Project Off Louisiana
U.S. energy regulators on Wednesday granted Delfin LNG a second one-year extension until September 2021 to build its proposed floating liquefied natural gas export facility off the coast of Louisiana.Delfin is one of several North American LNG developers that have delayed decisions on whether to go ahead with multibillion-dollar projects as gas prices slumped worldwide and buyers became reluctant to…
Viking to Launch New River Cruise Ship in 2021
Viking announced it has a new ship under construction expected to launch next summer for its cruise tours in Vietnam and Cambodia.The 80-guest Viking Saigon is scheduled to debut for the August 30, 2021, cruise tour departure; the river cruise portion of the itinerary sails between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.Purpose-built for the Mekong River, the new Viking Saigon will host 80 passengers in 40 outside staterooms.
Cryopeak Inks Deal with Island Tug & Barge for LNG Bunkering
Cryopeak LNG Solutions Corporation said Wednesday it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with marine bulk fuels transporter Island Tug & Barge Ltd. (ITB) to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering services in Southwest British Columbia, Canada.Cryopeak and ITB have developed a design for a 4,000-cubic-meter articulated tug and barge (ATB) which is planned to be in operation in 2023. A key…
WRDA 2020: 'A Step in the Right Direction'
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) favorably out of Committee, Wednesday. The legislation, which provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out water resources development projects and studies, as well as policy direction to the Corps for implementation of its Civil Works missions, now heads to the House Floor for a vote.Maritime trade groups Waterways Council, Inc.
Containership Crew Rescues Sailors 825 Miles off Hawaii
The crew aboard a U.S.-flagged containership rescued three sailors from a 50-foot trimaran that became disabled in the Pacific Ocean, about 825 miles northeast of Oahu…
Carnival to Raise $1.26 Billion in Debt to Deal with COVID-19 Impact
Carnival Corp is planning to raise about $1.26 billion in a bond offering, the beleaguered cruise operator said Wednesday as it struggles to stay afloat after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted its business.The bond offering is split into a $775 million tranche paying an annual coupon of 10.5%, and 425 million euro-tranche ($484.93 million) paying 10.125%.The senior secured notes are due 2026, with the offering expected to close on July 20…
Damen Sells Cutter Suction Dredger to Argentina's Servimagnus
The Damen Shipyards Group reports it has sold a full option Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 500 to the Argentinian dredging contractor Servimagnus. The modular dredger is currently under construction at the Damen Dredging yard in Nijkerk, The Netherlands, and will be shipped to South America later this year to join the Servimagnus fleet working on a waterways program in the province of Buenos Aires.“One of the major rivers in the outstretched plains in the Argentinian Province of Buenos Aires…
BW LPG Nets $4 Mln Gain on Berge Summit Sale
Singapore-based shipowner BW LPG announced Wednesday it has concluded the sale and delivery of the 78,489 cbm capacity liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier Berge Summit to an unnamed buyer for continued trading.The sale is expected to generate approximately $9 million in liquidity and an expected net book gain of $4 million, BW LPG said.BW LPG acquired the 1990-built vessel for $8 million in 2015…