USCG Awards Bollinger Four More Fast Response Cutters
The U.S. Coast Guard has exercised a contract option to award Bollinger Shipyards four additional Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC). This announcement brings the total number of FRCs awarded to Bollinger up to 64 vessels since the program’s inception. To date, the U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned 43 FRCs into operational service.All four FRCs will be built at Bollinger’s Lockport, La. facility…
DARPA Funds Tech to better Detect Whales
Charles River Analytics won a $1.5 million follow-on contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a multi-sensor fusion module that incorporates deep learning to autonomously and accurately detect whales and other aquatic mammals.To protect marine mammals from collisions and sonar exposure, sailors must keep a vigilant lookout. Operators of remotely operated vehicles must also stay alert…
Video Interview: Dominicana Caribbean Shipyards Opens
Last month Ciramar Shipyards signed a strategic alliance with Fassmer Technical Projects to build and repair ships in the Dominican Republic under the Dominicana Caribbean Shipyards name.“There’s been a need for a long time for a new shipyard to rise within the Caribbean region and the Americas in general, to be able to professionally service various ship types that transit the area,” said Craig R. Gundry, GM, Fassmer Technical Projects.
Containership Rescues Migrants from Capsized Boat
A containership rescued 11 migrants from a capsized boat approximately 20 nautical miles northwest of Mona Island, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The survivors…
The Future of MASS is Drawing Closer
An automated vessel is one where advanced decision support systems onboard the vessel, like the Global Positioning System (GPS) and auto pilot, undertake operational decisions independent of direct human control. A Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) involves both automated systems and remote control operations. In August 2016, The Wall Street Journal published an article titled “Ship Operations…
Callan Marine Hires Dearing as Engineering Director
Galveston, Texas-based dredging contractor Callan Marine announced it has hired Chris Dearing as its new director of engineering. Dearing brings extensive experience in the development and management of production and field engineering programs at some of the leading dredging companies in the nation. In his new role at Callan Marine, he will lead the development and training of engineering personnel assigned to field-based and office-based roles.
Golden Ocean Exits CCL Pool Joint Venture
Dry bulk shipping company Golden Ocean Group Limited on Tuesdat announced it has terminated its relationship with Capesize Chartering Ltd. (CCL), a joint venture…
Sea Machines Bags $3.1 Million Contract for US Navy Autonomous Supply Stations
Autonomous command and control systems developer Sea Machines Robotics announced it has advanced its multi-year Other Transaction (OT) agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Phase 2 of the multiphase contract delegates $3.1 million to the deployment of a full-scale oceangoing replenishment platform.In October 2020, Boston-based Sea Machines was enlisted by the DoD to engineer…
Smaller Vessel Gains Buoy Baltic Dry Index
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities, edged up on Tuesday, supported by gains in rates of panamax and smaller vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, was up four points at 3,375, the highest since Aug.
VLCC Owners Avoid Scrapping ... For Now
During the first seven months of 2021, only three actively trading Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) have been sold for demolition. The current market for seaborne transportation of crude oil is weak and has caused freight rates to drop to multi-year lows. Despite this, crude oil tanker shipowners are not seizing the opportunity to reduce capacity and send less efficient units to the demolition yards.The subdued demolition activity is seen at a time when steel prices offered in Bangladesh…
Jan De Nul Sells Offshore Wind Installation Vessel
Offshore installation firm Jan De Nul has recently sold its jack-up installation unit Taillevent, to make room for higher-spec vessels that will soon join its fleet.The sale includes the Taillewent vessel only, with the crew deployed to other Jan De Nul vessels. Jan De Nul did not share the sale price.During her time at Jan De Nul Group, the vessel has successfully executed offshore wind projects in Europe and Asia…
Harland & Wolff Names General Manager for Appledore site
Belfast-based shipyard Harland & Wolff has appointed a new General Manager, Tom Hart to its Appledore site.Harland & Wolff, famous for building the Titanic, is today a multisite fabrication company, operating in the maritime and offshore industry through five sectors: commercial, cruise and ferry, defense, oil & gas, and renewables and six services: technical services, fabrication and construction…
VADM Connor tapped to Tackle Autonomous Maritime Systems at MRS 2021
Vice Admiral (ret) Mike Connor, CEO of ThayerMahan, Inc., will discuss the use of autonomous maritime systems in minimizing risk for vessel operators, infrastructure owners, and port authorities. Admiral Connor has over 30 years of experience in the maritime security arena. He is the former commander of the US Submarine Force.
Workforce Development: Apprenticeship Programs Help Build the Fleet
Naval shipyards and industry partners see business growing, but finding enough trained and qualified workers is a challenge.General Dynamics Electric Boat will invest $1.7 billion to modernize and upgrade its Quonset, R.I. and Groton, Conn., facilities over the next ten years,” said Sean Davies , vice president for EB’s Quonset Point Operations. “Here at Quonset, we are investing $700 million that will increase our outfitting space by 13 acres…
Desmi Opens New Office in Japan
Desmi opened its own office in Tokyo, Japan. The new office, which is a legal entity of DESMI Ocean Guard A/S, will be headed by Noribumi Suganuma as of August 1, 2021.
NYK Cargo Vessel Rescues Two People off Guam
MV Mito, a general cargo vessel owned by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd. and managed by Hachiuma Steamship Co. Ltd., rescued two people in an inflatable rubber boat in distress off the coast of Guam on July 30.While sailing from Port Kembla in Australia to Naoshima in Kagawa prefecture, Japan, the ship discovered two people in an inflatable boat in distress due to engine failure about 80 nautical miles north of Guam and immediately rescued them.
MPC Container Ships Completes Songa Acquisition
MPC Container Ships ASA announce on Tuesday that it has completed its acquisition of Songa Container AS.MPC announced in June that it had entered the share purchase…
Video: USS Gerald R. Ford Completes Shock Trials
The U.S. Navy's new aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) on Monday underwent its third explosive event off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., rounding out the ship’s Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST) and validating its shock hardness and ability to sustain operations in a simulated combat environment using live ordnance. During the four-month testing evolution, the first-in-class aircraft carrier withstood the impact of three 40…
Prysmian Takes Delivery of High-tech Cable Layer Leonardo da Vinci
Energy and telecom cable systems company Prysmian Group announced it has taken delivery of the "unique" and "record-breaking" battery-hybrid cable laying vessel Leonardo da Vinci. “Leonardo da Vinci is the most efficient cable layer in the world and from now onwards it will support the group’s long-term growth in the submarine cable installation business. It will be a game changer in strengthening our leadership in the interconnection and offshore wind farm markets…
Nichols Brothers Delivers Second Ferry to Kitsap Transit
Shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) said it has delivered the second of two 255-passenger-only ferries to Kitsap Transit of Bremerton, Wash. Like the first-in-class-vessel the Enetai, the Commander outperformed design expectations during vessel trials, delivering to Kitsap Transit a lighter, faster, and smoother riding vessel, the builder said. Kitsap Transit awarded a design and construction contract to Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for two new ferries in December 2018.
