Shipbuilding News, July 2019

NASSCO launches largest-ever U.S.-built con-ro

The largest-ever container/roll-on/roll-off (con-ro) ship built in the U.S. is now in the water at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard.

The 870-by-114-foot Lurline is the first of two new ships under construction for Matson Inc. NASSCO is building the two U.S.-flagged Kanaloa-class vessels that can hold 3,500 TEUs and up to 500 vehicles in an enclosed garage. The ship also should be one of the fastest in Matson’s fleet with speeds exceeding 23 knots.

"The great speed, capacity and environmental improvements of this new ship position us well to serve the needs of our communities in Hawaii for many years to come," said Matt Cox, Matson's chairman and chief executive officer, after the shipyard ceremony.

The two ships also feature an efficient hull form, double-hulled fuel tanks, freshwater ballast system and dual-fuel engines that meet EPA Tier 3 emissions standards. Lurline will be the third of four new vessels Matson plans to place into service between 2018 and 2020.

Seaspan delivers offshore fisheries research vessel

The Canadian Coast Guard has taken delivery of an offshore fisheries research ship from Seaspan Shipyards in British Columbia.

The new vessel, CCGS Sir John Franklin, is the first of its kind built under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The second such vessel, the future CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier, was launched last month and the third, the future CCGS John Cabot, should be structurally complete by the end of the year.

“The addition of the new offshore fisheries science vessel to our Canadian Coast Guard fleet is a significant milestone for the shipbuilding industry, and for the protection of our oceans,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

The 208-foot ships are designed to allow scientists to conduct fisheries research, collect data on fish stocks and gauge the effects of climate change. The project has created hundreds of jobs in Canada, both at Seaspan’s facility as well as through numerous vendors.

28 shipyards share nearly $20M in MarAd grants

Twenty-eight small American shipyards in 19 states will share $19.6 million in federal money from the U.S. Maritime Administration focused on facilities and equipment improvements as well as employee training.

The money is awarded through the MarAd Small Shipyard Grant Program, which has disbursed more than $226 million since 2008. In a statement, the agency noted these facilities are employment engines that contribute tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy.

“Small shipyards are an irreplaceable aspect of America’s shipbuilding industry,” Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby said in a statement. “They are a key component to national security and our economic viability as a whole, providing good jobs for hardworking Americans.”

For the purposes of the grant, small shipyards are considered those with less than 1,200 workers. Nationwide, these facilities support more than 400,000 jobs.

The 2019 grant awards range from about $250,000 to more than $1 million. In nearly all cases, they support the purchase or construction of equipment such as dry docks, cranes and equipment used in blasting and painting.

Recipients of the grant money include Detyens Shipyards Inc. of Charleston, S.C.; Biblia Inc., located in Savannah, Ga.; Heartland Fabrication LLC, located in Brownsville, Pa.; TPG Chicago Dry Dock LLC of Chicago; and Yank Marine Services LLC, located in Dorchester, N.J.

Click here for a full list of the grant winners and how the money will be used.

Four shipyards get contracts to study MSC ship design

Four U.S. shipyards have won contracts to consider different design options for new ships that will replace existing vessels in the aging Military Sealift Command fleet.

Bollinger Shipyards, General Dynamics NASSCO, Philly Shipyard and VT Halter Marine each won awards worth $2.9 million. The yards will contribute design concepts for the common hull auxiliary multi-mission (CHAMP) platform.

The design work began immediately, and the new ships could be built within a decade. All told, up to 60 new ships could be built as part of the program, according to Philly Shipyard, which is teaming with Vard Marine for the project.

Island Tug and Barge adds new z-drive ATB

Island Tug and Barge christened the second of two new z-drive articulated tug-barge units at its Burnaby, British Columbia, facility. The vessels are built based on a design from Robert Allan Ltd. of neighboring Vancouver.

The 78-foot Island Regent is powered by twin Cummins KTA38M engines delivering 850 hp each at 1,800 rpm turning Rolls-Royce US 105 FP z-drives through carbon-fiber shafts. Electrical power comes from two 99-kW John Deere gensets.

“Today is a proud day for everyone at Island Tug and Barge and Tidewater,” Bob Curcio, Tidewater president and CEO, said at the christening. “These new ATBs represent a significant milestone in ITB’s capabilities to serve our customers better than ever.”

Island Regent, a sister to the tug Island Raider, links up with its barge through an Articouple FRC 35S coupler. The combined unit is capable of 10 knots. Alphatron Marine supplied an integrated bridge system, while the engine room is protected by a Kidde fixed FM-200 system.

Lake Assault wins contract for river rescue boat

The city of Pittsburgh’s River Rescue Unit has ordered a new 30-foot EMS rescue vessel from Lake Assault Boats of Superior, Wis.

The catamaran-hulled craft will be powered by twin Yamaha 425-hp outboards capable of 45 mph. The vessel will have Yamaha’s joystick steering system and digital anchor system along with Garmin electronics, as well as a heated front deck with 74-inch bow door. The bow design also features two push knees.

“This is our second craft for the City of Pittsburgh in the past three years, and we’re thrilled to receive this vote of confidence from a city known for its vital waterways and iconic riverfront,” Chad DuMars, Lake Assault Boats vice president of operations, said in a statement.

Firefighting equipment consists of a single Darley 750-gpm fire pump paired with an Elkhart monitor and nozzle. The vessel also will have LED floodlights and an infrared camera, among other safety features.

By Professional Mariner Staff