Texas shipyard wins contract for LNG-powered containerships
Keppel AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, has won a contract to build two liquefied natural gas-powered containerships for Pasha Hawaii.
The Jones Act-compliant ships will have capacity for 2,525 TEU, including 500 45-foot containers, 400 refrigerated containers and 300 40-foot dry containers. The vessels are expected to sail at 23 knots.
Although the ships will have dual-fuel propulsion, they will be outfitted to run on LNG upon delivery, according to Pasha Hawaii. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in early 2020, and the second will follow about six months later.
“Keppel O&M’s technical expertise in LNG propulsion and commitment to customer service were two very important factors in our selection decision,” George Pasha IV, president and CEO of Pasha Hawaii, said in a statement announcing the contract.
“From the start, they went above and beyond and worked closely with us in customizing a vessel design that matched our requirements,” he continued. “Their experience in LNG vessel conversions will also prove to be very valuable as we build LNG dual-fueled vessels for the Hawaii trade.”
Prior to the LNG order, Pasha Hawaii’s most recent fleet addition was provided by VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Miss. The 692-foot con-ro Marjorie C, delivered in 2015, can carry 1,400 TEU and 1,200 vehicles.
The Pasha Hawaii order shows continued momentum in LNG-fueled shipping. TOTE Maritime is already operating LNG-fueled ships between Florida and Puerto Rico, and Crowley’s LNG-fueled con-ro El Coqui was recently launched at VT Halter. Meanwhile, American Petroleum Tankers and SEA-Vista LLC have recently taken delivery of LNG-ready tankers that can be converted to run on the fuel.
LNG burns cleaner than conventional marine fuels. It reduces sulfur oxide emissions by 95 percent, cuts nitrogen oxides by 90 percent and eliminates nearly 100 percent of particulate matter. LNG also costs less than diesel.
Matson, Philly Shipyard mark Aloha-class milestone
Philly Shipyard and Matson celebrated a milestone in the construction of the first of two 850-foot dual-fuel Aloha-class containerships bound for service in Hawaii.
The early May event celebrated the placement of the first ship’s engine room section weighing roughly 420 metric tons. Philly Shipyard and Matson executives placed coins under the unit to bring good luck and safe travels once the ship goes into service.
"This first Aloha-class ship, named in honor of Hawaii's former senior senator and longtime champion of the U.S. maritime industry, Daniel K. Inouye, will be the biggest containership ever built in the U.S.,” said Matson President Ron Forest. “We are excited that this milestone in its construction means Matson will be able to put this new ship into service a little over a year from now.”
The Aloha-class ships will be the largest in Matson’s fleet, capable of carrying 3,600 TEU while making 23 knots or faster. The vessels will be LNG-ready, meaning they can be adapted to run on liquefied natural gas. They also have double-hulled fuel tanks and freshwater ballast systems.
The first ship is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2018 and the second vessel will follow in the first quarter of 2019.
Harvey Gulf puts LNG-fueled OSV to work
Gulf Coast Shipyard Group in Gulfport, Miss., has delivered Harvey Freedom to Harvey Gulf International Marine of New Orleans. It is the fourth LNG-fueled offshore supply vessel in the company’s fleet.
Propulsion aboard the 310-by-64-foot ship comes from twin Wartsila dual-fuel main engines producing 7,241 hp, and two Wartsila bow thrusters generating another 1,992 hp. Three Wartsila generators provide electrical power. The vessel’s maximum speed is 14 knots, and its cruising speed is 12 knots.
Harvey Freedom can carry 253,000 gallons of fuel oil and 78,000 gallons of LNG, as well as 18,000 barrels of liquid mud and 10,250 cubic feet of dry cement. It has nearly 10,500 square feet of deck space. ABS has rated the vessel ENVIRO+ and Green Passport.
"The delivery of Harvey Freedom and commencement of her five-year charter shows Harvey Gulf’s continued commitment to the environment and the success of LNG power in our industry," Shane Guidry, chairman and CEO of Harvey Gulf, said in a prepared statement.
Harvey Freedom will work from Port Fourchon, La., under charter to an unnamed energy major. The other three LNG-fueled OSVs in the Harvey Gulf fleet, Harvey Liberty, Harvey Energy and Harvey Power, work in the Gulf of Mexico supporting Shell’s deepwater operations.
Austal USA delivers latest Navy fast transport ship
The U.S. Navy has taken delivery of USNS Yuma, the eighth expeditionary fast transport ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.
Yuma (EPF 8) is a 338-foot aluminum catamaran that can carry troops, vehicles and cargo 1,200 miles while averaging 35 knots. The shallow-draft ship also has a flight deck that can support the CH-53 Super Stallion, the military’s largest helicopter, among other aircraft.
“The EPF platform continues to impress both operators and end users with its unique, multi-mission capabilities and is now leading U.S. Navy and other humanitarian missions traditionally led by single-purpose logistics vessels,” Austal CEO David Singleton said in a news release marking the late April delivery.
Austal USA is building three more EPFs under a 12-ship contract worth more than $1.9 billion. The future USNS City of Bismarck (EPF 9) is scheduled to be christened in May, and modules for Burlington (EPF 10) and Puerto Rico (EPF 11) are under construction.
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders launches Kirby tug
The first of two twin-screw tugboats being built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for Kirby Offshore Marine is in the water.
The Freeland, Wash., shipyard launched the 120-by-35-foot Mount Baker on May 2 ahead of a scheduled delivery in late May. A sister tug, Mount Drum, is scheduled for delivery in November. Jensen Maritime Consultants designed the vessels.
Both are powered by twin Caterpillar 3516C Tier 3 engines producing 2,447 hp at 1,600 rpm turning Nautican fixed-pitch props in nozzles through Reintjes reduction gears. John Deere generators provide electrical power. On deck, the tugs have a Markey TESD-34 towing winch and a Markey CEW-60 capstan. M&S Marine Solutions provided the towing pin.
The ABS-classed tugs will be the third and fourth vessels Nichols Brothers has delivered for Kirby in the past year.
Vane Brothers welcomes latest tugboat
Baltimore-based Vane Brothers has taken delivery of the 4,200-hp tugboat Philadelphia and the 53,000-barrel asphalt barge Double Skin 510A. St. Johns Ship Building of Palatka, Fla., built the tug and Conrad Deepwater South of Amelia, La., built the barge.
Philadelphia is the fifth of eight model-bow tugboats Vane ordered from St. Johns Ship Building. The sixth, New York, will be delivered this summer. The 100-by-34-foot tugs have twin Caterpillar 3516 Tier 3 engines, two John Deere 4045 gensets producing 99 kW and a third Deere 4045 engine driving the Intercon DD200 towing winch.
Entech Designs provided plans for the vessel, which is part of the Elizabeth Anne class. The class is named for the lead tug that was delivered more than a year ago.
The 361-foot Double Skin 510A is outfitted with a thermal heating system to keep its asphalt cargo at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The barge has a pumping rate of 8,000 barrels per hour and can be used to carry other heavy oil products.
Horizon builds retractable towboat for Florida Marine Transporters
Florida Marine Transporters has taken delivery of its second towboat in a year from Horizon Shipbuilding with a retractable pilothouse. Gilbert Associates of Boston provided the vessel plans.
The 120-by-35-foot Victoria Pasentine has twin Caterpillar 3512 engines each rated for 2,011 hp at 1,600 rpm and Twin Disc reduction gears. Electrical power comes from two John Deere 6068 engines producing 175 kW each.
The towboat has sleeping accommodations for eight people and extensive sound dampening to reduce engine noise along the single deck. Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics provided components for the lift system, according to a news release from Horizon of Bayou La Batre, Ala.
Victoria Pasentine is a sister vessel to Marty Cullinan, which Horizon delivered to Florida Marine Transporters last year. The vessels have an ABS load line certificate to operate in Lake Michigan during fair weather. With its house retracted, the towboat has an air draft of 17 feet 8 inches.
