NASSCO /GENERAL DYNAMICS
NASSCO /GENERAL DYNAMICS News
The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed
![The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in the Adriatic Sea, June 23, 2023.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-worlds-largest-aircraft-carrier-142587.jpg)
The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it can’t build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission…
U.S. Navy Shipbuilders & Disaggregated, Dispersed Production
![The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, USS Columbia (SSN 771) moors alongside the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in Apra Harbor, Naval Base Guam, Jan. 4. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua M. Tolbert)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/e-los-angelesclass-fastattack-submarine-142547.jpg)
With a lame-duck CNO, a divided Congress and the impending launch of the next Presidential election cycle, America’s naval market is locked into something of a fragile and fearful autopilot, cruising inexorably towards whatever excitement 2024 might bring.Materially, don’t expect much change: The demand for naval platforms will continue to outstrip available funding, meaning there will be little movement or growth in America’s major shipbuilding programs of record.
The U.S. Navy Needs More Ships, Encourages Industry to "Pick up the Pace"
![Bryce Woolston cleans up welds on the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) at HII Newport News Shipbuilding. (HII photo by Chris Oxley)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/bryce-woolston-cleans-up-welds-138602.jpg)
The demand for warships is strong, and the Navy continues to receive support from the Congress to build more ships. The Navy is working to achieve a fleet of about 355 ships, plus a fleet of about 150 unmanned vesselsBut to achieve something close to that goal requires more than demand, and even more than money. For one thing, it requires an industrial base that can build, repair and sustain that fleet.While Navy leadership acknowledges the challenges of a stressed supply chain…
Shipyards Adapt to help Navy, Coast Guard Recapitalize Fleets
![The first Offshore Patrol Cutter, USCGC Argus (WMSM 915) takes shape at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s Panama City, Fla., shipyard. The Coast Guard plans to build 25 OPCs. (ESG photo)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-first-offshore-patrol-cutter-134232.jpg)
U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Sailor Under Investigation for Arson in USS Bonhomme Richard Fire
![Flames and thick, dark smoke rise from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego, July 12. (U.S. Navy Photo by Austin Haist)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/flames-and-thick-dark-smoke-115921.jpg)
A sailor is being investigated for arson in connection to the fire that raged for four days aboard the warship USS Bonhomme Richard in July, multiple sources report, citing anonymous U.S. Navy officials.Naval investigators are focused on one sailor from the ship, an official said, adding no motive has been determined and no one has been charged, according to the New York Times.“The Navy will not comment…
Navy Hires NASSCO for USS Bonhomme Richard Cleanup
![Fire damage is visible aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Jason Waite)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/fire-damage-is-visible-aboard-114951.jpg)
A San Diego shipyard has been awarded $10 million to continue emergency firefighting support, dewatering, safety and initial cleanup efforts aboard the fire-stricken USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), the Pentagon announced. The award to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) is a modification to a previous contract for repairs that had been underway when the blaze erupted aboard the 844-foot…
Matson Takes Delivery of First Kanaloa Class ConRo
![Matson's newest vessel, the largest combination container / roll-on, roll-off ("con-ro") ship ever built in the United States. Image Credit: NASSCO](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/matsons-newest-vessel-the-largest-108411.png)
Largest "Con-Ro" Ship Built in U.S. Will Serve Hawaii.Matson today took delivery of its newest vessel, the largest combination container / roll-on, roll-off ("con-ro") ship ever built in the United States, from General Dynamics NASSCO. Christened 'Lurline,' the new ship is the first of two "Kanaloa Class" con-ro vessels being built for Matson by NASSCO at a total cost of approximately $500 million for the pair…
GD Bags $1.6Bln Shipbuilding Contract
General Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy worth up to $1.6 billion for the construction of the sixth…
NASSCO Awarded Long Lead Contract for ESB 6
![USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams (Photo: NASSCO)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/usns-hershel-woody-williams-photo-91979.jpg)
San Diego shipbuilder General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) has been awarded a $136.8 million undefinitized contract for the procurement of long lead time material, preproduction and engineering support for the Expeditionary Sea Base 6.This action allows the procurement of ship sets of the purchase specifications supporting integrated propulsion, main diesel generator engines…
TOTE’s Top Tips for LNG Success
![Peter Keller, Executive Vice President, TOTE. Photo: Greg Trauthwein](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/peter-keller-executive-vice-president-91468.jpg)
U.S. owner TOTE, which broke ground three years ago with the world’s first LNG-fueled containership, has more than 36 months experience operating almost exclusively on LNG. We recently interviewed Peter Keller, Executive Vice President, TOTE, for a feature story coming in the October 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News. Until then, here are some tips from Keller for ship owners considering…