DOCK EXPRESS

Super Post-Panamax Cranes Arrive at Port of Savannah

After 22 months of anticipation, two new Super Post-Panamax cranes finally arrived at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal on Saturday, June 18, 2005. Before reaching their final destination in Savannah, Ga., the cranes 47-day long journey aboard the 505-foot custom-made ship, Dock Express 10, originated at the Port of Tianjin, China. The cranes are the largest ship-to-shore cranes in the world, each with a length of 465 feet, a height of 374 feet with its boom raised, a weight of 1,369 tons and a span capacity of 22 containers across and six containers high on deck. The lift capacity of each crane is 72 tons under the spreader bar and 95 tons under the cargo beam. “We are very happy the new cranes have finally arrived,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. “With the cranes’ capacity to handle the world’s largest cargo vessels, the economic impact to the state of Georgia will be tremendous.” The cranes are expected to be the first cargo unloaded later this week at the GPA’s Container Berth 8 (CB-8). When complete early in 2006, CB-8 will increase capacity at the Port of Savannah by 20 percent, provide more than 9,800 feet of continuous dock, create an additional 10,800 jobs for Georgia and impact more than $240 million in direct and indirect wages for Georgia workers.

Another Greek Ferry Runs Into Trouble

A Greek ferry with 1,081 passengers aboard ran aground as it was about to dock in an Aegean island port early on Friday but there were no injuries, the merchant marine ministry said. The incident in Naxos port occurred less than three days after another ferry with the same owner hit rocks and sank off a nearby island, Paros, killing at least 65 people - Greece's worst maritime tragedy since the mid-1960s. A merchant marine spokesman said the Express Artemis, a vehicle and passenger ferry

Minoan Flying Dolphins Buys Six Ferries

Minoan Flying Dolphins bought six ferries, operating in the sea routes linking the ports of Piraeus and Rafina with the Cyclades islands, from businessman Costas Agapitos. The cost of the acquisitions was not released. The ferries are Express Afrodite, Express Athena, Express Apollo, Express Hermes, Express Olympia and Express Santorini. The fleet additions will quadruple the present carrying capacity of Minoan Flying Dolphins in the Cyclade island routes

Lake Ferry Services Suspended for Maintenance

After four years of heavy summer use on Lake Michigan, the Lake Express high-speed ferry ended service early this fall for regularly scheduled maintenance in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. The 192-foot catamaran ferry was pulled out of the water after cruising to the Bay Shipbuilding yard Oct. 24, a day after the Milwaukee-to-Muskegon service ended for the year. The Lake Express has operated until Nov. 1 in past years. The dry-docking of The Lake Express will allow the Milwaukee-based ferry operator

A&P Falmouth Completes Overhaul

A&P Falmouth has recently completed the lay up and overhaul of the P&O Irish Sea fast ferry Superstar Express. The Austal Ships 82 Catamaran, built for Star Cruises and chartered by P&O Irish Sea, arrived in Falmouth on October 21, 2001 for lay up and then docked on February 6, 2002 for aluminum shell repairs in the forepeak areas; overhaul of the water jets, survey of the main engines, survey of auxiliary machinery, accommodation refurbishment and painting of the hull

China's CIC Boluomiao Shipyard Completes Repair Contracts

CIC Boluomiao Shipyard completed repairs of the ships Sinoker Pioneer and Novitas H. The U.S.-owned Sinoker Pioneer repair work included renewal of cargo hold plates and painting, hatch cover repair and regular docking repair and some machinery equipment repairs, etc., and all were carried out to the satisfaction of classification society ABS, the shipyard said. Next came the German-owned Novitas-H for the first time to the Boluomiao Shipyard, for drydocking and steel-work repairs

Austal Delivers Two More for Guadeloupe

In 1998, Austal delivered the Jade Express followed closely by the delivery in 1999 of the Opale Express. These vehicle/passenger ferries were destined for Guadeloupe, in the French West Indies, and island ferry operator Antilles Trans Express (ATE). It was in 2001 when the then manager, Dr Roland Bellemare and ship captain, Bruno Moeson decided to buy the company from Groupe Bourbon who owned ATE, giving rise to L’Express des Iles S.A. or The Islands Express.

Seaspan Announces Delivery of New Vessel

Seaspan Corporation announced the delivery of its 20th vessel, the Santos Express. The 4250 TEU vessel, which was built by Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., was delivered approximately seven weeks ahead of its contractual delivery date. The Santos Express is the seventh of nine Seaspan vessels to be chartered to Hapag-Lloyd USA. "The delivery of the Santos Express is another milestone in the development of our company," said Gerry Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Seaspan

Austal Makes Progress with Ferry

Austal USA is making progress with their latest project, the 192-ft. vehicle passenger ferry for Lake Express. The tunnel has been stood and all of the piping and electrical wiring within the tunnel has been installed. Ninety percent of the hull frames have been stood in preparation for fitting to the main deck. The wheelhouse module is 90 percent complete and plating has started. Prefabrication work on the ferry is also in its early stages.

Austal chooses Survitec for new Fast Ferries

Austal Ships has selected Survitec Zodiac escape slides for the Perle Express and the Liberty vessels.   Both are newly constructed 47m fast ferries and were completed at the Austal yard in Henderson, Western Austalia. Perle Express and Liberty entered service in October with their owner L’Express des Iles and are in use on routes between Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, Marie Galante, Dominique, Martinique and St Lucia.