FRED CRAWFORD

Austal to Build Multihull Vessel

Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships and European ferry operator Fred. Olsen, S.A. are delighted to announce the signing of an historic contract for the world’s largest high-speed multihull vessel which will be based on a new hullform. When delivered in the second half of 2004, the 126.7 metre cargo-vehicle-passenger fast ferry will also be larger than any existing diesel-powered fast ferry – catamaran or monohull. It is also believed to be the world’s largest all-aluminium ship. Confirmation of the order demonstrates both companies’ leadership in the global fast ship industry and is the outcome of a collaboration, involving more than three years of research and development effort, to produce the new design. “This is the largest fast ferry ordered anywhere in the world since the late 1990s, and arguably the most significant single order placed in that time as well,” said Austal’s Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon. “We expect this breakthrough project to generate considerable interest among ferry operators and it clearly demonstrates Austal’s ability to produce high-speed ships of the size currently being sought by the US military.” For Austal Ships, the new 126 metre ferry is a significant, but carefully planned and evaluated, progression in high-speed ship design, and draws on the tremendous track record Austal has established through the design and construction of 24 vehicle-passenger ferries since 1994.

Braemar to Undergo Lengthening at Blohm + Voss Repair

The cruise ship Braemar entered the Elbe 17 Dock at Blohm + Voss Repair on May 13 for lengthening and other conversion work. The ship, which belongs to the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be lengthened by 31.20 metres amidships at the shipyard, which is part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Braemar is the second cruise ship from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to be lengthened at Blohm + Voss Repair. She follows the conversion of the BALMORAL between November 2007 and January of this year.

Cheng Completes Deal with Louis Dreyfus, DVB Nedship

Fred Cheng’s new shipping company, Shinyo International, has purchased the 1998-built 43,000dwt bulk carrier Bara from Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SNC of France. The ship is chartered back to CETRAGPA (Louis Dreyfus) for a period of four years. The transaction marks the first post-Golden Ocean acquisition by Cheng. It also reflects the core industrial shipping approach taken by Cheng over his twenty five years as a shipowner.

Austal Lauches Aluminum Ship

Austal has launched the largest aluminium ship ever built, the 127 metre trimaran ferry “Benchijigua Express” taking to the water for the first time early on September 25. It is the most significant ship to arrive on the world high speed vessel scene, not just in terms of size but due to its ability to give a substantially smoother ride to passengers in rough sea conditions thanks to its trimaran design. Construction of the ferry commenced at the Austal shipyard in Western Australia in

H&W Decision To Come Soon

Norwegian offshore group Fred Olsen Energy said it aimed to resolve next week the fate of its Northern Irish Harland shipyard, famed for building the ill-fated Titanic. It said in a statement that its board of directors had met on Thursday to address the "present difficult situation at Harland and Wolff" and that "alternatives were being considered with a view to agree on a way forward during next week". It said the yard's future was at risk due to a refusal by American rig owner, Global Marine

Runaway Rig Closes Two Norwegian Fields

Two Norwegian oilfields were shut Wednesday amid fears that a stricken exploration rig might start dragging its anchors in high seas and threaten to crash into them. The North Sea Snorre and Vigdis fields, with a combined output of 260,000 bpd, closed after three of the rig's eight anchors broke free of the seabed in a storm which produced 55 ft. waves. About two-thirds of the rig workers were evacuated via helicopter, and no injuries were reported

Harland And Wolff Workers Accept Pay Offer

Workers at Harland and Wolff shipbuilders narrowly accepted a pay offer that could throw a lifeline to the yard that built the Titanic, their union said. The margin was slim at 424 to 389 to support what management said were final proposals that would give skilled employees about $475 a week. That wage would be guaranteed until at least January 2003 and include a further bonus opportunity. The Northern Ireland yard, majority-owned by Norway's Fred Olsen Energy

Construction Continues on New Bouchard ATB

Bollinger Gulf Repair L.L.C., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., shipyard, has completed the retrofit of a Bouchard Coastwise Management Co., tug and barge to an articulated (ATB) unit utilizing the Intercon Coupler System. The 446-foot, 125,000 BBL (barrel) black oil Barge B. No.175 which was renamed Barge B. No.275, was transformed from a single hull to double hull vessel to meet the requirements of OPA ‘90. Her stern was modified with the matching Intercon ladder to accept the bow of the

Keppel Completes Conversion Poject for Prosafe

Keppel Shipyard, the wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Corporation Limited (KCL) through Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), has successfully converted a 132,500 dwt tanker into a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for Prosafe Production. The vessel, previously known as Grey Warrior, was named ABO FPSO by Ms AmaI Pepple, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria, at a ceremony held at Keppel Shipyard this morning.

This Day in Naval History - April 11

From the Navy News Service 1783 - Congress declares the end of war with Great Britain. 1900 - The Navy accepted its first submarine, USS Holland (SS 1). 1970 - Launch of Apollo 13, commanded by Capt. James A. Lovell Jr. Former naval aviator Fred W. Haise Jr. was the lunar module pilot. While 200,000 miles from Earth, there was an explosion on board which forced Apollo 13 to circle the moon without landing. Mission duration was 5 days, 22 hours and 54 minutes