AMERICAN CONSTRUCTION

Herschler Joins North American Marine Consultants

Captain Casey M. Herschler Joins North American Marine Consultants.   Captain Casey M. Herschler has been named Director of New Business Development for North American Marine Consultants. Capt. Herschler will be responsible for developing new business ventures including new vessel and barge construction as well as conducting vessel, structure, facility and cargo surveys, insurance assessments and monitoring new construction, conversion and repair processes for clients. Captain Herschler has worked in the marine and construction industries since 1999 after his graduation from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Studies. Herschler has worked in the capacity of Captain and pilot of excursion vessels and towing vessels primarily on the Mississippi River system. He also has architecture and construction experience working on various building types including commercial, residential and industrial projects. He has managed the construction of various sized projects ranging up to $200 million in costs. Capt. Herschler has also designed and managed the construction of inland towing vessels.   Prior to joining North American Marine Consultants, Herschler was employed as a Captain and Project Manager for Canton Marine Towing Company in Canton, Missouri. From 2001 to 2009, Herschler worked as an

K-Sea Signs Barge Contract Extension

K-Sea Transportation Partners LP, said it signed a $40m contract extension for barge construction with the manufacturing arm of American Commercial Lines. The company said the construction of four 50,000 barrel tank barges will begin in first quarter of 2009, with delivery of the first vessel scheduled for December of that year. The three other vessels will be completed in three month increments after that, K-Sea said. The contract extends the barge construction agreement through 2010.

Congress Promotes Commercial Shipbuilding

The House Armed Services Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee received testimony on the Federal Ship Loan Guarantee Program, also known as Title XI, which facilitates financing of commercial ship construction in U.S. shipyards. Cynthia L. Brown, President of the American Shipbuilding Association, testified on the importance of funding and improving the program to increase commercial ship construction in the U.S.

ACL Acquires Interest in Environmental Firm

American Commercial Lines Inc. (ACL) has invested in a 30 percent stake in a newly formed entity with environmental services contractor Summit Contracting, Inc. The financial terms of the investment were not disclosed but are not material to the company. The new company, Summit Contracting, LLC will provide emergency response, environmental remediation, industrial and civil construction services. In addition to continuing to service its established customer base of major transportation

LA Port Police Contract with All American Marine for Dive and Patrol Catamaran

All American Marine, Inc. is pleased to announce their latest vessel contract awarded by the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Department for a new dive and patrol catamaran. The 65’ x 24’ aluminum catamaran will be used by the LA Port Police dive team and will feature Teknicraft Design’s signature hull shape and hydrofoil technology.  The design of the vessel is based upon the previously built R/V Shearwater and R/V Fulmar

Great Lakes Shipyard Winter Season Contracts

Great Lakes Shipyard contracted by Interlake Steamship Company to perform winter work services on two vessels. Two more vessels have arrived: Interlake Steamship vessels, the ATB Dorothy Ann and the Pathfinder, are in Cleveland and  docked at Great Lakes Shipyard's facility. A variety of work is to be done, including: miscellaneous steel work, generator maintenance, main drive unit maintenance, and other miscellaneous tug and barge repairs and maintenance.

All American Marine Building Gillnetters

After a slower year, the order book at All American Marie has rebounded. Together with charter and other boats, the firm has expanded their Ferndale, Wash. operations with a separate facility at South Bellingham. Currently under construction for March and April deliveries are four 32-ft. Bristol Bay style bow-pickers. One, for Greg Synner, will have a 12.5-ft. beam while two, for Al Agustus and Pat West will carry 14-ft. beams. The fourth boat, with a 13-ft

Senate Cuts 2 Navy Ships from Budget Request

On the eve of adjournment by the Senate, the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) expressed its dismay with Senate action to cut two ships from the President’s budget request. The zeroing of two T-AKE Combat Force Logistics Ships reverses positive steps the Administration took in its fiscal year 2004 budget to increase the rate of naval ship production from five to seven to shore up a rapidly sinking Navy. “The security of every American is put at

Gazprom, PetroCanada Eye LNG Cooperation

Russia's state-run energy giant Gazprom and integrated oil and gas firm PetroCanada confirmed their interest in long-term cooperation in the sector, on joint projects that are likely to focus on shipping Russian liquefied natural gas to North American markets. In October 2004 the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to study opportunities for starting LNG deliveries to North America by 2009. They have also agreed to conduct a feasibility study into the construction of a gas

ACL Gets $100m Order for Barges

American Commercial Lines Inc. has entered into a six year, approximately $100m, multi-vessel contract with a major customer, to build both liquid and dry cargo barges. Construction will begin in 2008.