Shipbuilding News, June 2014

VT Halter delivers new ATB for Bouchard

Bouchard Transportation Co. on May 30 took delivery of the oceangoing 112-foot Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) Denise A. Bouchard, from VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc. A sister vessel to the previously built Evening Star, Denise is part of a major Bouchard fleet expansion currently under construction at VT Halter Marine.

“We are pleased to announce the delivery of the Denise A. Bouchard,” said Morton S. Bouchard III, president and chief executive of Bouchard Transportation. “This exceptionally crafted tug by VT Halter Marine is a fine addition to the Bouchard fleet, and one which will certainly benefit our valued customers for years to come.”

Measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, the 4,000-hp Denise is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessel began in March 2013. Upon delivery, the tug will be coupled with an existing Bouchard 80,000-bbl barge.

 

EB gets $13.2 million more for Ohio Replacement Program

Electric Boat Corp., of Groton, Conn., announced on June 3 a $13,228,560 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to the previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-2128) for procurement of Common Missile Compartment material.

Electric Boat will be purchasing various long lead time parts to support the manufacture of the Common Missile Compartment for the Ohio Replacement Program. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and the United Kingdom under the foreign military sales program.

Work will be performed in Groton and is scheduled to be completed by December 2017.

The current Ohio class of ballistic missile submarine is expected to retire its first vessel by 2029.

 

Coast Guard issues draft RFP for Fast Response Cutter Program

The U.S. Coast Guard released a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) on May 29 for the second production phase of the Fast Response Cutter.

The draft RFP provides the industry an opportunity to preview and submit feedback on contents and requirements that will potentially be included in the formal RFP, which is anticipated to be released in early 2015. 

The Coast Guard requests that all industry feedback on the draft RFP be returned by Aug. 14. 

 

Moran Iron Works to build two deck barges

Moran Iron Works (MIW), of Onaway, Mich., announced on June 4 that it will build two oceangoing deck barges for Durocher Marine, a division of Kokosing Construction Co. The marine division is based in Cheboygan, Mich.

MIW is working with Netsco, a marine engineering, naval architecture and design firm based in Cleveland, Ohio, on the design and engineering of the barges which will measure 180 feet by 54 feet by 12 feet with 2,500-pound-per-square-foot deck strength and 2,400-short-ton cargo capacity.

The barges will be built in accordance with International Maritime Organization, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and U.S. Coast Guard regulations and classifications. The barges will follow ABS rules for building and classing steel barges for offshore service. They will be classed as ABS Maltese Cross A1 Ocean Service Deck Barges and will have an International Load Line Certificate.

The keels will be laid mid-summer 2014 at MIW's fabrication facility in Onaway. The first barge will be named Kokosing III and has a scheduled completion of September. The second barge will be named Kokosing IV and has a scheduled completion of October. Both barges will be launched at MIW's deepwater facility at Port Calcite Collaborative in Rogers City, Mich.

 

Vigor Industrial to acquire Oregon Iron Works

Oregon Iron Works (OIW) and Vigor Industrial announced on May 21 that the companies are merging to unite their strengths in advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding and ship repair. Under the terms of the merger, OIW will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Vigor Industrial.

The combination creates the critical mass of innovation, infrastructure and financial strength needed to pursue even more complex projects, enter new markets and win more work than either could separately.

“I’ve spent the last 40 years building Oregon Iron Works into a company with some of the country’s most advanced fabrication capabilities, and we’ve been looking for ways to evolve to the next level and compete in a broader market spectrum,” said Terry Aarnio, OIW chairman of the board. “Vigor builds and repairs ships. OIW builds boats and other projects with complex fabrication, machining and integration requirements. Vigor has some of the West Coast’s largest shipyard industrial facilities and great marine industrial workers.”

OIW’s unique fabrication abilities combined with Vigor’s shipbuilding, heavy lifting and marine launch capabilities will allow the company to complete large-scale, complex projects that neither company could do alone.

The combined company will employ about 2,300 people in Alaska, Oregon and Washington. OIW and Vigor expect the merger to be finalized before the end of June.

 

Kirby Offshore Marine orders additional ATB

Kirby Offshore Marine announced on June 4 an order for a 136-foot-by-44-foot-by-19-foot, 10,000-hp ATB tug with Ice Floe LLC, doing business as Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. Nichols and Kirby entered into contract for one ATB tug with an option of one additional tug in January of this year.

Both vessels will be built at Nichols Brothers’ Freeland facility in Washington state. These complete ATB units are based on a design by Guarino & Cox LLC of Covington, La. Nichols Brothers will build the tug portion.

The main engines are two EMD 20-710G7C-T3 diesels with continuous rating of 5,000 bhp at 900 rpm each. Engines are coupled to Reintjes WAF 5666 reduction gears and are configured with two fixed-pitched propellers with nozzles. The tugs will be interconnected to 578-foot, 185,000-barrel tank barges.

Construction of the first vessel began in May. The second will follow in September, with delivery in summer and fall 2015.

 

Bollinger appoints Remont director of program management

Bollinger Shipyards announced June 2 that Chris Remont has joined the company as director of program management. Remont will oversee all aspects of program management for Bollinger Shipyard’s Lockport new construction facility, with an emphasis on the present U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter program.

The announcement was made by Ben Bordelon, Bollinger executive vice president and chief operating officer, who said, “Mr. Remont’s extensive background and experience in engineering, planning and production, and his proven ability to successfully perform in all aspects of shipbuilding and repair makes him a great addition to our team.”

Prior to joining Bollinger, Remont held the position of director of engineering, central planning and production control of Avondale Engineering and Construction, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries. He previously held the position of director of electrical engineering at Ingalls Shipbuilding and has more than 22 years of experience in the U.S. in commercial manufacturing, including shipbuilding.

He earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering technology from Louisiana Tech University in 1993 and a masters of business administration from Nicholls State University in 2006.

By Professional Mariner Staff