Austal USA Begins Building Its First Offshore Patrol Cutter for the US Coast Guard
![(Photo: Austal USA)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-austal-usa-152816.jpg)
Austal USA held a ceremony marking the official start of construction on the first U.S. Coast Guard Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) to be built at its Mobile, Ala., shipyard. The vessel, named Pickering (WSMM 919), is the lead vessel in a series potentially comprising up to 11 cutters under a contract valued at $3.3 billion.Designed at 360 feet in length, the OPC program is set to replace the Coast Guard's aging medium endurance cutters, filling a crucial role between the open-ocean national security cutters and the coastal fast response cutters.
Royal Van der Leun to Equip USACE's New Hopper Dredge
![(Image: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-eastern-shipbuilding-group-152606.jpg)
Royal Van der Leun, based in the Netherlands, announced it will supply equipment for a new hopper dredge being built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla., for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the 320-foot vessel, with a hopper capacity of 6,000 cubic yards will join the USACEâs Ready Reserve Fleet, replacing the USACE Philadelphia District's high-powered deep draft hopper dredge McFarland, built in 1967.For the design, Eastern worked with longtime partner Royal IHC, headquartered in the Netherlands.
US National Maritime Strategy Needs to Empower Tier 2 Shipyards
![(Photo: Brandon Giles / U.S. Coast Guard)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-brandon-giles-us-coast-152341.jpg)
A few weeks ago, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter spotted several Chinese military ships within the U.S. exclusive economic zone just 200 nautical miles off the shores of Alaska. This incident underscores how brazen our adversaries are becoming in the face of a diminished U.S. maritime presence. Chinaâs brazen actions are backed by the worldâs largest naval fleet that they have accumulated over the past several years while our maritime capacity has declined. There is a real threat thatâŚ
Eastern to Build New Tugs for Saltchuk
![(Image: Robert Allan Ltd.)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-robert-allan-ltd-151472.jpg)
Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Monday announced it has been awarded a contract to construct four new escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine's Foss Maritime. The vessels will be built at ESGâs Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities, in Florida, with delivery expected in 2026.The order marks the beginning of Saltchuk Marineâs long-term fleet renewal project, with the new tugs set to support West Coast port operations and comply with EPA Tier 4 and California Air Resources Board (CARB) environmental requirements.The newbuilds will be RApport 2600 ship assist/escort tugs designed by Robert Allan Ltd.
ESG Wins Contract to Build Fisher Island Ferry
![Image courtesy ESG/EBDG](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-courtesy-esgebdg-150328.jpg)
Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) won a contract to build a new auto and passenger ferry for the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) in Florida. The vessel will be built at ESGâs Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is expected for delivery in Spring 2026.âEastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) delivered the vehicle passenger ferry HERON to the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) over 20 years ago, and we understand that she has been the most reliable ferry in their fleet.
ESG Invests in Shipbuilding Infrastructure
![Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) commenced phase two of a itsinfrastructure improvement project at its Nelson Street government shipbuilding facility. Phase II rendering. Photo courtesy ESG](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/eastern-shipbuilding-group-inc-esg-150124.jpg)
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) commenced phase two of a itsinfrastructure improvement project at its Nelson Street government shipbuilding facility, a phase which includes the construction of 1,000 linear feet of additional bulkhead and berthing space, installation of associated heavy weather mooring infrastructure, the extension of the launch facility by 120 feet to increase the total launch way length to over 500 feet, and the final dredging of vessel berthing spacesâŚ
Unfinished Hornbeck MPSV Arrives at Eastern for Build Completion
![(Photo: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-eastern-shipbuilding-group-149917.jpg)
The first of two incomplete ultra high-spec multipurpose support vessels (MPSV) has arrived at Eastern Shipbuilding Group's Port St. Joe Shipyard, where the builder will finish constructing the vessel for Hornbeck Offshore Services.Earlier this year, Eastern secured a contract to complete construction of the two 400 class MPSVs after Hornbeck terminated the original build contracts with Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La. in 2018 over what it described as "performance issues".
New Long Island Ferry Launched at Eastern Shipbuilding
![(Photo: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-eastern-shipbuilding-group-149815.jpg)
Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Friday held a launch and christening ceremony for the ferry Long Island at its Allanton Shipyard in Panama City, Fla.Scheduled to be delivered later this year, the new Subchapter H passenger and auto ferry is being built for Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, a subsidiary of McAllister Towing, for operations between Bridgeport, Conn., and Port Jefferson, N.Y., traversing the Long Island Sound. The vessel was christened by Rosemary McAllisterâŚ
Marine News' 2024 US Shipbuilding Report
![ECO Edison, the first U.S.-built wind farm service operations vessel (Photo: Ărsted)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/eco-edison-the-first-usbuilt-149372.jpg)
If nothing else, building vessels in the U.S. is a complicated business.In a session on the domestic shipbuilding marketplace, at Marine Moneyâs late-November 2023 conference held in New Orleans, Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards (with more than a dozen facilities, in Mississippi and Louisiana), described his companyâs architecture as a âthree-legged stool approach: commercial newbuilds, government newbuilds and repair/conversion capabilitiesâ.On the same panelâŚ
Eastern Partners with Royal IHC to Build USACE Hopper Dredge
![(Photo: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-eastern-shipbuilding-group-148973.jpg)
U.S. shipbuilder Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc (ESG) on Wednesday announced it is teaming up with Dutch shipbuilding group Royal IHC to design and construct a highly automated hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).The diesel-electric vessel, contracted for the Department of Defense, will be constructed at ESG's Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities in Florida for scheduled delivery in 2027.The new 6,000-cubic-yard-capacity medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) will be based at the Corpsâ Philadelphia DistrictâŚ
Eastern Awarded Contract to Complete MPSV Builds for Hornbeck
![(Image: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-eastern-shipbuilding-group-146648.png)
Panama City Fla. based Eastern Shipbuilding Group announced it has been awarded a contract to complete construction of two ultra high-spec 400 class multipurpose support vessels (MPSVs) for Hornbeck Offshore Services (HOS).The newbuilds were originally started by Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La. before Hornbeck terminated the contracts in 2018 over what it described as "performance issues". Gulf Island then sued Hornbeck, claiming the two shipyard construction contracts were wrongfully terminated.
USCG's New Cutters Canât Arrive Soon Enough
![(Photo: Brandon Giles / U.S. Coast Guard)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-brandon-giles-us-coast-146545.jpg)
The much-needed replacement for the U.S. Coast Guardâs long-serving medium endurance cutters (WMEC) took a giant step closer to joining the fleet as the first Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) was launched and christened at Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) in Panama City, Fla. on October 27, 2023.The future USCGC Argus (WMSM 915) was christened by the shipâs sponsor, Captain (Ret.) Beverly Kelley, the first woman to command a U.S. military vessel, the 95-foot patrol boat, USCGC Cape Newagen (WPB 95318).
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2023
![Empire State (Photo: MARAD)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/empire-state-photo-marad-145964.jpg)
The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023âfrom a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one of the most important U.S.-built vessels delivered in recent memory.Built by Philly Shipyard for the U.S.
Eastern Launches First Offshore Patrol Cutter USCGC Argus
![(Photo: Vard Marine, Inc.)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-vard-marine-inc-145129.jpg.jfif)
The lead ship in the U.S. Coast Guard's Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, USCGC Argus (WMSM-915), was launched and christened during a ceremony at Eastern Shipbuilding Group's Nelson St. Shipyard in Panama City, Fla.Attended by more than 3,000 guests, the event featured a keynote address delivered by Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.âThe Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) is one of the serviceâs highest acquisition priorities and is absolutelyâŚ
Eastern Gets Green Light to Build USACE Hopper Dredge
![(Image: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-eastern-shipbuilding-group-143583.png)
Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group announced on Tuesday it has received a notice to proceed after winning a contract to design and build a new hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).The 6,000-cubic-yard-capacity diesel-electric dredge will be constructed at Easternâs Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is scheduled for delivery in 2027, the builder said.The new medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) will be based at the Corpsâ Philadelphia District, replacing the 57-year-old McFarlandâŚ
Offshore Wind: US Shipbuilders Answering the Call
![From left to right: Lasse Petterson, CEO of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock; Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa.; President Joe Biden; and Steinar Nerbovik, CEO of Philadelphia Shipyard (Photo: Philly Shipyard)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/from-left-to-right-lasse-143474.jpg)
Itâs a big deal when a U.S. president visits an American shipyard, and these trips always send a message. When President Obama spoke at HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding in 2013, he warned of the consequences of sequestration. President Trumpâs 2020 speech at Fincantieri Marinette Marine touted a $5.5 billion naval contract that gave a welcome boost to the Wisconsin shipyard and its supply chain partners. Most recently, President Biden traveled to Philadelphiaâs Philly ShipyardâŚ
Shipyard Capacity: A Brake on Decarbonization?
![In mid-July, Hornbeck Offshore revealed a deal with Eastern Shipbuilding Group to convert a recently delivered Jones Act-compliant offshore supply vessel into a SOV. Image courtesy HOS](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/in-midjuly-hornbeck-offshore-revealed-143380.jpg)
The IMOâs latest crunch meeting in early July may not have aligned global shipping with mid-century targets established in the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, its 2023 Strategy indicates a clear direction of travel. Energy supplies by sea are essential for many countries and therefore ships have a key role in supporting the worldâs energy transition â not only on their own account, but at a global level.As world shipping accounts for about 3% of greenhouse gas emissions, its environmental importance attracts wide attention. And plenty of criticism.
Norwegian Firm to Supply Helideck for Hornbeck's Offshore Wind Vessel
![Credit: Hornbeck Offshore](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-hornbeck-offshore-142977.jpg)
Marine Aluminium AS has won a contract to supply the U.S. offshore vessel firm Hornbeck Offshore Services a helideck for its new conversion project. The 21-meter helideck has a landing capacity of up to Sikorsky S-92-sized helicopters.As previously reported by Offshore Engineer, Hornbeck Offshore will convert one of its recently acquired 280-foot offshore supply vessels (OSV) to a service operation vessel (SOV) to meet the growing demand of the U.S. offshore wind market, as well as to serve the demands of the offshore flotel market.
Eastern Shipbuilding to Build New Hopper Dredge for the USACE
![McFarland is one of four oceangoing hopper dredges owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Photo: Dave Evinger / USACE)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/mcfarland-is-one-of-four-142725.jpg)
Panama City, Fla. based Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been awarded a contract to design and build a new hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.The $256,955,264 firm-fixed-price contract will see Eastern design and build the new medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) for scheduled delivery in August 2027. Eastern was one of three bidders for the project.The new 6,000-cubic-yard-capacity hopper dredge will replace the USACE Philadelphia District's high-powered deep draft hopper dredge McFarland, built in 1967.
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, Americaâs naval market is locked into something of a fragile and fearful autopilot, cruising inexorably towards whatever excitement 2024 might bring.Materially, donât expect much change: The demand for naval platforms will continue to outstrip available funding, meaning there will be little movement or growth in Americaâs major shipbuilding programs of record. The procurement outlines are already set.
Hornbeck Offshore Eyes U.S. Offshore Wind Work with OSV-to-SOV Conversion Project
![Credit: Hornbeck Offshore Services](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-hornbeck-offshore-services-142435.jpg)
U.S. offshore vessel owner Hornbeck Offshore Services, best known for its offshore oil and gas support vessel services, is looking at business opportunities in the growing U.S. offshore wind sector as well as in offshore accommodation services in the oil and gas area.For that, Covington, La. based Hornbeck Offshore said Wednesday it had contracted Eastern Shipbuilding Group to convert one of its recently acquired 280-foot offshore supply vessels (OSV) to a service operation vessel (SOV) to meet the growing demand of the U.S.
Shipbuilders Council of America Announces Safety Award Winners
![(File photo: Metal Shark Boats)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/file-photo-metal-shark-boats-141951.jpg)
The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry, announced its yearly member safety awards for 2023.âWorkforce health and safety is embedded into the fabric of our industry because the teams that work in our shipyards and throughout the industrial base are the most important asset we have in building and repairing the U.S. commercial and military fleets,â said Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America.
Eastern Shipbuilding Delivers New Hopper Dredge R.B. Weeks
![(Photo: Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-eastern-shipbuilding-group-inc-141201.jpg)
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) on Monday announced the delivery of R.B. Weeks, a 8,550 cubic yard capacity trailing suction hopper dredge constructed for Weeks Marine, Inc.âItâs our pleasure to once again deliver a quality vessel on time and on budget to our valued customers at Weeks Marine, Inc.,â said Joey DâIsernia, president of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. âThe R.B. Weeks joins an impressive fleet that works alongside the Army Corps of Engineers to preserve our treasured waterways.âDespite building the vessel through the height of the COVID pandemicâŚ