Contracts

The U.S. Navy awarded the work package on its USS Whidbey Island to Norshipco, a member of the U.S. Marine Repair shipyard family. The contract, which calls for topside phased maintenance, fixed-price availability, states for work to commence on May 24 for a September 1 completion.

The work package includes topside repairs, electrical and mechanical repairs, and ship alterations. Specific mechanical repairs entail main propulsion diesel engines, and ship alterations include the RAM Mk31 Mod and Ship's Self Defense System installations.

Stratos Wins Offshore Nova Scotia Contract

Stratos has been awarded a contract to supply C-band satellite equipment and teleport services for PanCanadian Petroleum Limited's exploration drilling program offshore Nova Scotia. Stratos will be responsible for communication and monitoring access to its offshore platforms through the Nova Scotia Teleport.

In collaboration with Maritime Telegraph & Telephone (MTT), Stratos is implementing a purpose-built C-Band Teleport in Halifax that will provide high quality satellite earthstation access for the booming offshore oil & gas exploration and production industry.

South African Navy Taps GE

GE Marine Engines will install its LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines in a combined diesel and gas turbine-waterjet and refined propellers (CODAG-WARP) configuration on four of the South African Navy's innovative MEKO® A-200 corvettes. Each Blohm + Voss-constructed A-200 will utilize one LM2500 directly connected with a gearbox to a 20-megawatt waterjet. Propulsion will be provided by two interconnected shafts powered by diesel engines propelling two independent propellers.

The first gas turbine is scheduled for a 2001 installation, with commissioning of the first vessel slated for 2004.

GE is also scheduled to supply Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries with six LM500 aeroderivative gas turbines, which will be used to power two 11PG high speed patrol boats being constructed for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Jumbo Dredgers Will Be Powered By Wärtsilä

An order for a 23,700 cu. m trailing suction hopper dredger contracted in December 1999 by Ham Dredging at IHC Holland, which is due for delivery in Autumn 2001, will be powered by a pair of Wärtsilä 12V46C main engines of 25,200 kW, in conjunction with a 1,860 kW Wärtsilä 6L26 auxiliary engine. The dredger will measure 556 ft. (169.5 m), with a Panamax beam of (32 m), a draft of 12 m and deadweight of 36,450 tons.

Similar machinery will also be implemented in the 21,500 cu. m dredger, Rotterdam, which was ordered last year by Ballast Nedam for a 2001 delivery.

Twin Wärtsilä 12V46 main engines, as well as a 6L26 auxiliary were also installed on each of two 23,400 cu m dredgers - the WD Fairway and Queen of the Netherlands - built in 1997 and 1998, respectively for Royal Boskalis Westminster.

Concerning requirements, recent orders of machinery for dredgers have had to comply with tighter restrictions on exhaust emissions because they are often operating close inshore or in waterways and channels.