Matson, Philly christen largest US-built containership
Matson and Philly Shipyard held a christening ceremony on June 30 for Daniel K. Inouye, the largest containership ever built in the United States.
The 850-foot dual-fuel ship, named for Hawaii’s late U.S. senator, can carry 3,600 TEU and reach a top speed of 24 knots. It will carry cargo between Matson terminals in Seattle, Oakland, Long Beach and Hawaii.
Daniel K. Inouye is the first of two Aloha-class ships Philly Shipyard is building for Honolulu-based Matson. In the next two years, Matson plans to add four new vessels for its Hawaii cargo service.
The late senator’s wife, Irene Hirano Inouye, formally christened the new ship.
"This new vessel, designed specifically to serve Hawaii and built with LNG-compatible engines, is the next generation of vessel and sets a new standard for cargo transportation in Hawaii,” Matt Cox, Matson's chairman and chief executive officer, said during the ceremony. “It also symbolizes Matson's continuing commitment to serving our island home in the most efficient, effective and environmentally sound way into the future.”
Other attributes of the new Aloha class include double-hulled fuel tanks, freshwater ballast systems and a fuel-efficient hull design.
Vigor delivers Argo fast ferry to SF operator
The Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) of San Francisco has taken delivery of a new fast ferry from Vigor.
The new vessel, Argo, is a sister ship to the ferries Hydrus and Cetus already in use around San Francisco Bay. The 135-foot ferries designed by Incat Crowther have a 27-knot service speed and capacity for 400 people.
These “green” ferries are equipped with twin MTU 12V 4000 M64 engines that can run on biodiesel B5 fuel. The engines are paired with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to reduce emissions.
Vigor built the hull at Vigor Ballard and the superstructure at the company’s new aluminum fabrication bay in its Harbor Island yard, both located in Seattle. “It’s fitting to have this award-winning design be our inaugural vessel for the new facility,” said Tim Kolb, Vigor Puget Sound general manager.
The fourth vessel of the four-boat order, Carina, is under construction at Vigor with delivery set for later this year.
Fincantieri Bay wins contract for self-unloading barge
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., recently won a contract from VanEnkevort Tug & Barge Inc. to build a self-unloading barge that will carry bulk products throughout the Great Lakes.
The 740-by-78-foot barge will have the first ballast water treatment system on the Great Lakes that meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, according to the shipbuilder. Delivery is scheduled for mid-2020.
“We are pleased to see large-scale new construction that will operate on the Great Lakes being built on the Great Lakes,” said Todd Thayse, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding’s vice president and general manager.
VanEnkevort Tug & Barge of Escanaba, Mich., operates a fleet of three articulated tug-barges. The company hauls ore, stone and other products across the region.
Young Brothers christens new ocean tug at Conrad
Young Brothers held a christening ceremony at Conrad Shipyard in Port Fourchon, La., on June 15 for Kapena Jack Young, the first of four new EPA Tier 4 ocean tugs under construction for the towing company.
The 6,000-hp Kapena-class tugs are 123 feet by 36 feet with propulsion from GE 8L250MDC engines paired with conventional shafts and props. Hawaii-based Young Brothers will use the tugs to haul cargo between the islands.
The lead tug in the new class is named for Capt. Jack Young, one of the three brothers who founded the towing company 118 years ago.
“The four new Kapena-class tugs represent our future while honoring our past. Once in service, the average age of our fleet will be reduced from … 44 years to 12 years young,” Joe Boivin, new president of Young Brothers, said in a prepared statement.
Gladding-Hearn builds next-gen boat for Virginia pilots
Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding has delivered a next-generation Chesapeake-class MKII launch to the Virginia Pilot Association.
The 55-foot Hampton Roads is powered by twin 700-hp Volvo Penta D13-700 engines paired with Volvo Penta IPS 3 propulsion pods. The pods feature dual forward-facing, counter-rotating props, integrated exhaust and Volvo Penta's EPS electronic steering and control system. Electrical power comes from a Northern Lights 12-kW genset.
Hampton Roads also has a Humphree interceptor automatic trim-optimization system for increased fuel efficiency. Its top speed exceeds 32 knots.
“The combination of the Volvo Penta IPS system and the Humphree interceptors gives the pilots faster acceleration and higher speeds and improved comfort, while burning about 25 percent less fuel than the standard Chesapeake-class launches,” said Peter Duclos, shipyard president.
Other features on Hampton Roads include NorSap shock-mitigating seats, Furuno navigation system and FLIR thermal imaging system.
Hampton Roads is the Virginia pilots’ eighth vessel built by Gladding-Hearn of Somerset, Mass. It also is the 20th Chesapeake-class launch delivered since the line's introduction 15 years ago.
All American delivers Puget Sound tour boat
Puget Sound Express has taken delivery of Saratoga, a 73-foot high-speed aluminum catamaran built by All American Marine of Bellingham, Wash. Teknicraft Design provided the plans.
The new vessel, which will carry passengers on whale-watch voyages, can achieve speeds exceeding 40 knots. Propulsion comes from four Scania D16 engines paired with carbon-fiber shafts and Hamilton HJ364 waterjets.
“This is a very special event for Puget Sound Express,” company co-owner Peter Hanke said in a prepared statement. “The Saratoga is the first boat that we have had the opportunity to build, and we designed it with customers, whales and the environment in mind."
Amenities include Beurteaux seating, a galley and bar, premium sound system and seven flat-screen TVs. It is the second vessel All American has completed and delivered from its new facility on Bellingham Bay.
