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Bludworth News

20 Apr 2020

MARAD Awards Nearly $20 Mln for Small Shipyards

(Photo: VT Halter Marine)

Two dozen small shipyards in the U.S. have received a combined $19.6 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program to help fund upgrades and expansions that often lead to more competitive operations, quality ship construction and improved employee skill.“This $19.6 million federal government investment in the nation’s small shipyards will help maintain the U. S. shipyard infrastructure of our country,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L.

21 Jun 2019

Bludworth Marine Relocates HQ to Galveston

Photo courtesy of Bludworth

As of June 1, 2019, Bludworth Marine, LLC has relocated their corporate headquarters to Galveston, Texas. The new location, at 320 77th Street, is minutes from the Bludworth Marine 100' x 300' graving dock location and the Port of Galveston Pier 38 dockside location. This proximity will allow quicker response and service to the continually increasing marine repair service business in Galveston and surrounding areas. The new 3.5-acre site location also includes a 75' x 150' high bay fabrication shop with a 10-ton overhead crane…

18 Jun 2019

Report: The U.S. Marine Market

A ‘work in progress,’ the North American brown water, shallow draft sectors have experienced a tumultuous year of evolution, changing market conditions, a rapidly shifting regulatory environment and new opportunities. Anything but boring; and within the pages of Maritime Reporter’ & Engineering News’ Annual Yearbook, Joseph Keefe, editor of sister-publication MarineNews, takes a deep dive into the issues driving the domestic waterfront.Workboat EmissionsMore than one year ago, Volkswagon learned the ultimate (and painful) meaning of the iconic U.S. adage of “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time – or at least pay the staggering fine.” And pay it forward, Volkswagen did.

17 Apr 2019

The Enduring, Iconic U.S. Flag ATB Model

The view from the Bouchard Boardroom and … beyond.The roots of the now familiar and reliable articulated tug and barge (ATB) business are deep and stretch all the way back to the 1800’s. Along the way, various patents to connect a tug and a barge with a secure mechanical connection were filed. The concept began to gather momentum in the late 1960’s when Edwin Fletcher with ARTUBAR, and the Bludworth family of flexible pushing systems were pioneering efforts to marry the economies of pushing with the safety and seakeeping inherent in mechanically linking the tug and barge at sea. Other systems were developed and tried; not all were successful.As a baseline…

05 Jul 2018

Workboat Design: Interview with Bob Hill

Robert P. (Bob) Hill, President, Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp.

Robert (Bob) Hill of Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., of Milford, MA has specialized in the design of AT/B’s for many years. As probably the world's most experienced designer of large articulated tug/barge (AT/B) systems, Hill’s success comes, in part, from a willingness to innovate. Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corporation and Robert Hill are the co-inventors of the Intercon Connection System. In a nutshell, his firm has had a hand in over 70% of the operational AT/B’s in service in America – including, 80% of those built or converted since 1994.

06 Sep 2017

MARAD Awards $9.8 Mln to US Shipyards

© wi6995 / Adobe Stock

Aiming to support shipbuilding modernizations that will increase productivity and allow U.S. shipyards to compete more effectively in global markets, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded $9.8 million to 18 U.S. yards through its Small Shipyard Grant Program. “Small shipyards play a significant role in our country’s maritime sector, which contributes to our economy, security, and infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

06 Dec 2016

McAllister Sells Two Tugs to Port City Marine

Photo: Marcon International

The 4,300HP tugs Colleen McAllister (ex-Ellena Hicks, Hull 685) and Katie G. McAllister (ex-Libby Black, Hull 671) have been sold and delivered to new owners Port City Marine Services of Muskegon, Mich., reported Marcon International, Inc. The 124’ x 33.1’ x 19.9’ depth / 18’ loaded draft tugs were built in 1967 and 1966 respectively by Gulfport Shipbuilding Corp. of Port Arthur, Texas for Gulf Coast Transit Company, subsidiary of TECO Transport & Trade, of Tampa, Fla. and mated up with the 420’ x 80’…

05 Dec 2014

Z-Drive Use Spreads on US Inland Waterways

The Nolan Rhodes, from the John Bludworth yard, on the job for Enterprise Marine Services near Channelview Texas.

Enterprise Marine Services, a subsidiary of Enterprise Products Partners L.P., is making a major commitment to Z-Drives for the US inland waterways. They currently have four Z-Drive boats in service and have taken delivery of two new Z-Drive vessels from Sneed Shipbuilding in Texas with three more under construction. The new vessels, named Sheridan A and Terry H, were built by Sneed Shipbuilding, Inc., Channelview, TX. They measure 87 x 34 x 11.5 ft. and have a 34.8-in. eye level. They are powered with a pair of 1,000 hp. Cummins QSK 38M, Tier III, diesels coupled to Z-Drives from ZF Marine.

28 Oct 2014

Z-Drive Tech Spreads on US Waterways

The Nolan Rhodes, from the John Bludworth yard, on the job for Enterprise Marine Services near Channelview Texas. (Photo by Jeff L. Yates courtesy of Cummins Marine)

Enterprise Marine Services, a subsidiary of Enterprise Products Partners L.P., is making a major commitment to Z-Drives for the U.S. inland waterways. They currently have four Z-Drive boats in service and have taken delivery of two new Z-Drive vessels from Sneed Shipbuilding in Texas with three more under construction. The new vessels, named Sheridan A and Terry H, were built by Sneed Shipbuilding, Inc., Channelview, Texas. They measure 87 by 34 by 11.5 feet and have a 34-foot 10-inch eye level. They are powered with a pair of 1,000 hp.

07 Jul 2014

Demand for Coastal and Transoceanic ATBs Grows

Along the way, ATBs gain speed, efficiency, safety – and popularity. Operators of articulated tugs and barges, or ATBs, say they like the maneuverability, weather reliability, stability, speed of these units, and the manner in which the tug pushes the barge. As a marine transportation concept, they can also simply be described as versatile. ATBs move petroleum, chemicals, coal, grain, containerized cargo and rail cars for customers on the U.S. coasts, rivers, the Great Lakes and overseas. As a result, demand for articulated units expanded in the last two decades with new technology.

08 Oct 2013

The ATB – What Does The Future Hold?

The AT/B comes of age: operating coastwise, Jones Act – and beyond the horizon, too. A great deal has been written about the capabilities of the AT/B, or “Articulated Tug/Barge” unit in recent years. Without a doubt, though, the concept is firmly established as a viable ocean and coastwise transportation system in North America. But like any transportation asset, the concept has to not only expand its’ capabilities, but also conform over time to ever-changing rules and regulations. It must also be able to embrace and adapt to changes in technology that hold the promise of reduced emissions as well as savings in fuel and protection of the environment.

18 Jan 2013

Richard Bludworth Bludworth Marine LLC

Running a ship repair business in the U.S. is anything but simple, with the unexpected being the norm and a cavalcade of new regulations. But Richard Bludworth has a penchant for turning the difficult simple. A staple in the Gulf of Mexico,  Bludworth Marine LLC was founded by Richard Bludworth in 1998, strictly as a topside repair facility. Today the Bludworth Marine  reach stretches to four waterfront facilities  on the 103 mile run between Orange to Galveston, TX, with its HQ in Houston.

03 May 2012

Sparre to Retire from Bollinger After 51 Years

Bollinger Texas City announces Max Sparre’s upcoming retirement after 51 years of service to the shipyard industry, and names Monty Bludworth as BTC’s General Manager.

Bollinger Texas City, L.P., (BTC) a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. facility, announced the upcoming retirement of its Vice President and General Manager, Max Sparre. Sparre’s retirement was announced by Bollinger Executive Vice President, Ben Bordelon, giving an overview of Sparre's 51 years of service to the shipyard industry and the Bollinger group of shipyards. In addition to the announcement of Sparre’s upcoming retirement early next year, Bordelon also announced that Monty Bludworth…

20 Mar 2012

U.S. Provides $9.98 Million to Strengthen Shipyard Competitiveness

Ray LaHood

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $9.98 million in grants to 15 small shipyards throughout the United States to pay for modernizations which will increase productivity and help the country’s small shipyards compete in the global marketplace. “In cities and towns across America, shipyards are creating jobs and keeping our nation's economy growing," said Secretary LaHood. The U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grants Program provides equipment and technical skills training for America’s maritime workforce…

12 May 2010

Taisei Engineering & Bludworth Cook Partnership

Photo courtesy Richard Bludworth

Taisei Engineering of Tokyo Japan and Bludworth Cook Marine of Houston, Texas have partnered to provide sales, service and support in the United States for the ATB systems manufactured by Taisei Engineering of Japan. Since 1972 Taisei Engineering has sold 245 ATB units worldwide. Their ATB systems are divided into two series --- 2-pin supporting articulate connection Articouple, similar to those manufactured in the United States, and 3-pin supporting rigid connection Triofix --- and…

04 Feb 2010

Bollinger Delivers 55K BBL Tank Barge

Photo courtesy Bollinger Shipyards, Inc.

Lockport, La., Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. company, has delivered the M 6000, a 55,000 barrel (bbl) Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA’90) compliant tank barge, to Midstream Fuel Service, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Martin Resource Management Corporation. Contract terms and conditions were not disclosed. The 55,000 bbl tank barge, M 6000, was built at Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., in Amelia, La. and is a Bollinger design. The M 6000 is a clean oil barge that is classed and certified ABS + A1 Oil Tank Barge, Manned Ocean Services.

19 Aug 2009

70 Shipyards Awarded ARRA Grants

The Department of Transportation has announced 70 grants totaling $98m in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds that will be used to improve small shipyards throughout the United States. The funds, awarded through the Maritime Administration’s Assistance to Small Shipyards program, will help create and preserve jobs, provide valuable employment training and make much needed improvements to shipyards across the country. The Small Shipyards Grant program provides up to 75 percent in ARRA funds for a project and requires the remainder be matched by the shipyard. A detailed list of the grantees is as follows. •    Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc.,  Philadelphia, PA: $2,312,614, for the first year of training program.

25 Aug 2008

Bludworth Marine Listed on INC. Fastest Growing Company List

Bludworth Marine LLC has been listed # 716 on the 2008 INC 5000 fastest growing private company list (2004-2007). Marine was also # 9 in the Transportation Sector and # 13 in the et. marine repair shipyard with multiple locations. A new deep water shipyard in will begin operation of a new 3,000 ton dry dock in early 2009. The Bludworth Orange shipyard is presently building a new stainless steel cargo tank inland acid barge for delivery in early 2009. Bludworth operates two 800 ton dry docks, a 315' x 100' graving dock, and a topside repair location at Pier 38 in . A new inland fabrication and repair location is presently under construction in adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel.

08 May 2008

New Barges for Short Sea City

Tug Vivian L. Roehrig watches-over DBL 23, one of the company's new 28,000 BBL JAK-equipped barges. K-Sea has acquired two new tugs so far this year, but still calls-in independents when things get busy. (Photo: Don Sutherland.)

The term short-sea shipping comes up aplenty these days, as the powers-that-be rediscover the practicalities and the economies of waterborne transport. The thinking is renewed and the interest revitalized, but for a lot of harbors nationwide it's deja vu. Take the island city of New York, and the multitudes of communities near and far that are joined to it by inland waters—the rivers, sounds, creeks, streams—all the way up to Albany, to Waterford and the Canal system, and to everything beyond that. There's nothing new about the short-sea shipping principle around here.

27 Feb 2008

Bollinger and Martin Midstream Sign Contract for Tank Barge

Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. company, has signed a contract for the design and new construction of a 55,000 barrel (BBL) Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA’90) compliant tank barge, with Martin Midstream Partners, LP. Contract terms and conditions were not disclosed. The announcement was made by Bollinger executive vice president of new construction, Chris Bollinger. The 55,000 BBL tank barge, M 6000, will be built at Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., in Amelia, Louisiana.

12 Oct 2001

ATB Designer Preps For New Release

Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., is one of the most experienced designers of Articulated Tug/Barge (ATB) units in the marine industry, boasting more than 20 years of experience in the design and engineering of ATBs for ocean and coastwise service. As one of the original co-inventors of the INTERCON tug/barge connection system, as well as having engineered the application of other connection systems to many tugs and barges, such as Bludworth, Bark River, and Articouple, the firm has unmatched real-world experience in ATB design. Because ATBs are the firm's focus, it's vast experience in model testing, FEA, transport studies, and contract design enables OT&BE Corp. to apply real-world knowledge gained aboard actual, operating vessels of its' design.

01 Oct 2003

Bay Shipbuilding Picks ATB Design

Stamford, CT. Tug/Barge design. 12-710G main engines, for a total of 6,000 BHP. barges. Robert P. any connection system, yet was simple to build and outfit. smaller, and able to be built in fewer man-hours. issues. about to be contracted. Two others are to be built overseas. Transportation of Norfolk, VA, and Exxon-Mobil Corp. through monitoring the operation of the parent design. systems. Hill. Lakes AT/B tug "DOROTHY ANN" with Bay. Exxon-Mobil unit, designed by CT Marine, was also built there. customers and vendors. have one of our new designs in their fleet.", said Hill. back in 1994.

01 May 2002

Blessey Builds Second 3200 HP Towboat

Following on the success of the Dreama Klaiber, launched in late 1999, Blessey Marine’s latest boat is an evolution of that concept. While the Dreama dimensions are 95x30x12.6, the new boat will be 110 x 32 x 11.5-feet. This allows for the same power with a shallower draft. The new boat will also be powered by a pair of 16-cylinder Cummins KTA50 M2 engines, delivering a total of 3200 hp (2,388 kW) for continuous duty at 1800 RPM. the engines are equipped with Cummins’ optional CENTRY electronic engine control systems and drive through Reintjes WAF 772 marine gears with a reduction of 7:1 turning 88- x 68-inch four-blade stainless steel propellers on eight-inch diameter shafts. The vessel is equipped with four flanking and two steering rudders, as are all of Blessey's towboats.

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