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Ward News

29 Feb 2024

Virginia-Class Submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) Completes Initial Sea Trials

(Photo: HII)

HII on Thursday announced its Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed initial sea trials for Virginia-class attack submarine New Jersey (SSN 796). New Jersey spent several days at sea to test the boat’s systems and components.Testing included submerging the submarine for the first time and conducting high-speed maneuvers while on the surface and submerged. NNS teams will continue the testing program ahead of delivering the boat to the U.S. Navy.“Taking New Jersey out for the first time is a significant milestone and the first major test of the submarine’s capabilities at sea…

23 Feb 2024

Virginia-class Submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) Launched

(Photo: HII)

HII announced that Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) was recently launched into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.Shipbuilders transferred the submarine from a construction facility to the floating dry dock, where it was later submerged and moved by tugboats to a submarine pier at the shipyard for final outfitting, testing and crew certification.“Following the christening of this mighty submarine in May, witnessing Massachusetts launch into the river is a source of immense pride for our shipbuilding team…

30 Jan 2024

US Shoots Down Missile Fired by Houthis Toward Red Sea

© ID1974 / Adobe Stock

Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired one anti-ship cruise missile from Yemen toward the Red Sea on Tuesday, the U.S. military's Central Command said, adding that a U.S. destroyer in the area shot it down.No injuries or damage were reported, the Central Command said.(Reuters - Reporting by Jasper Ward; editing by Rami Ayyub)

09 Jan 2024

US, UK Forces Shoot Down Houthi Missiles, Drones Targeting Ships in Red Sea

(Photo: Elexia Morelos / U.S. Navy)

U.S. and UK forces shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by Yemen-based Houthis on Tuesday into the Southern Red Sea towards international shipping lanes, the U.S. military's Central Command said.U.S. Central Command said there were no injuries or damage reported, adding that this was the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19.Iranian-backed Houthi militants have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in protest against Israel's war in Gaza.

08 Jan 2024

Fairbanks Morse Defense Acquires Samtan Engineering Corporation

(Image: Fairbanks Morse Defense)

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, has acquired single-source metalworking supplier Samtan Engineering Corporation based in Malden, Mass. Samtan’s metalworking services expand FMD’s portfolio with shearing, punching, forming, machining, fabrication and assembly capabilities.“Our acquisition of Samtan Engineering Corporation allows Fairbanks Morse Defense to continue delivering value far beyond the cost of our services through the seamless integration of metal-stamped products and machine shop services,” said FMD CEO George Whittier.

07 Dec 2023

CAPP Says Canada’s Emissions Cap will be Production Cap

© Dolores Harvey / Adobe Stock

Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, introduced Canada’s draft framework to cap pollution from the oil and gas sector on December 7. The aim is to reduce emissions and remain competitive in a shifting global market. “No sector of the economy should be allowed to emit unlimited pollution, not when we are all driving toward the same goal of net zero by 2050 to ward off the worst impacts of the climate crisis,” said the ministers in a statement.

30 Oct 2023

Fairbanks Morse Acquires American Fan

George Whittier (Photo: FMD)

Defense contractor Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), has acquired American Fan, a axial and centrifugal fan manufacturer based in Fairfield, Ohio.“Now more than ever, Fairbanks Morse Defense remains committed to expanding our growing array of OEM equipment to ensure that our fleet is always mission-ready,” said George Whittier, FMD CEO. “American Fan has a long track record of delivering high-quality products to the U.S.

03 Oct 2023

Austal USA Cuts Aluminum on Final USN EPF

Image courtesy Austal USA

Members of Austal USA’s EPF team and representatives of the Navy’s Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast were present in Austal’s module manufacturing facility to watch the router begin cutting aluminum for the U.S. Navy’s final Expeditionary Fast Transport, EPF 16. This is the third EPF Flight II ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, and the 16th EPF contracted to Austal USA by the Navy. EPF Flight II provides a Role 2E (enhanced) medical capability which includes, among other capabilities…

10 Aug 2023

Towing Vessel Sinks Off South Carolina

(Photo: North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad)

A towing vessel sank Tuesday night approximately 3 miles off North Myrtle Beach, S.C.Horry County Fire Rescue personnel rescued the three crew members aboard the vessel, identified as the 59-foot-long Jacqueline A—a U.S.-registered pusher tug built in 1981. No injuries have been reported.The vessel is currently in 30 feet of water, and has approximately 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board, the U.S. Coast Guard said. There are no reports of shoreline impacts, and the vessel’s owner…

25 Jul 2023

UN Starts Removing Oil from Decaying FSO in Red Sea

(Photo: Boskalis)

The United Nations said on Tuesday it had started the removal of more than 1 million barrels of oil from a decaying supertanker off Yemen's Red Sea coast in a complex operation it hopes will ward off a regional disaster.U.N. officials have been warning for years that the Red Sea and Yemen's coastline was at risk as the Safer tanker could spill four times as much oil as the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska.A U.N. spokesperson said on Tuesday a spill could cost $20 billion to clean up.The war in Yemen caused the suspension in 2015 of maintenance operations on the Safer…

24 Jul 2023

Biden Nominates Admiral Lisa Franchetti to be First Woman to Lead US Navy

Admiral Lisa Franchetti (Photo: U.S. Navy)

President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, an historic step that would break a gender barrier in the U.S. military by making her the first woman to command the service and to become a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.The decision by Biden is a surprise. Pentagon officials had widely expected the nomination to go to Admiral Samuel Paparo, who leads the Navy in the Pacific and who has experience grappling with the growing challenge from China.Still…

29 Jun 2023

Keel Laying for Future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15)

Ship sponsor Mrs. Elizabeth Asher, with the assistance of Perry Sullivan, a 17-year Austal USA veteran A-class welder, authenticated the keel by welding her initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship. Image courtesy Austal USA

Austal USA celebrated the official start of construction of the future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15) with a keel laying ceremony in its Mobile, Ala. shipyard. Ship sponsor Mrs. Elizabeth Asher, with the assistance of Perry Sullivan, a 17-year Austal USA veteran A-class welder, authenticated the keel by welding her initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship.The future USNS Point Loma was named after the San Diego seaside community which has a long-standing naval presence and is home to Naval Base Point Loma…

26 Jun 2023

Search Ends for Bulker Crewmember Missing Near California

The U.S. Coast Guard last week called off its active search for a crewmember that reportedly fell from a bulk carrier off the coast of Califronia.The crewmember is said to have gone overboard from the Panamanian-flagged African Cardinal, 14 miles southwest of Point Conception, Calif. while transiting the Santa Barbara Channel Traffic Separation Scheme en route to the Port of Long Beach.At approximately 5 a.m. on June 20, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach Command Center watchstanders received the man overboard report and immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast (UMIB) via VHF channel 16, stating the nature of the situation.

02 Mar 2023

Ward Leonard Unveils New AC Induction Motor Line

(Image: Ward Leonard)

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, introduces the Novo1 motor line by Ward Leonard, the newest AC induction motor line for naval vessels.Described by the manufacturer as "durable" and "reliable", the Novo1 motor line is modular in design, has a commonality of parts, and has a variety of mounting configurations, speeds, and enclosure types available to meet any shipboard requirements. It is manufactured in FMD's vertically integrated facility in Thomaston, Conn.

27 Feb 2023

USNS Cody, 14th EPF, Christened

Image courtesy Austal USA

Austal USA christened its 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), USNS Cody, during a ceremony at its manufacturing facility. Cody is the first EPF Flight II as well as the first Navy vessel to honor the city of Cody, Wyo. The ceremony for the Navy’s first Flight II EPF was well attended by Navy leaders and elected officials. Vice Admiral Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; Rear Admiral Bruce Gillingham, surgeon general of the U.S.

12 Dec 2022

Inside the Chinese Port Deal that Divided the German Government

© niemannfrank / Adobe Stock

The German government has become divided over a deal, agreed last month, which saw Chinese conglomerate Cosco invest in the Port of Hamburg. The deal had been in the works since September 2021 and was championed by the chancellor (and Hamburg’s former mayor), Olaf Scholz.Scholz’s coalition partners have been vocal in criticising the deal. Chief among them is Robert Habeck, Greens member and Scholz’s economics minister, who expressed his fear that Germany was becoming dependent on Chinese business.

05 May 2022

Raytheon, BMT, Austal Unveil Australian Independent Littoral Maneuver Vessel Design

(Image: Australian ILMV design, BMT)

Raytheon Australia, BMT and Austal Australia are working together in a bid to deliver the new Australian Independent Littoral Maneuver Vessel, or ILMV, for the Australian Army.If selected to deliver the Army’s LAND 8710-1A program, Raytheon Australia will lead the team to deliver the BMT-designed vessel, which will be built by Austal at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia. Thee Australian ILMV is based on a proven design and tailored for the Australian environment, the Australian ILMV.BMT Senior Business Development Manager…

29 Apr 2022

HII Launches Virginia-class Submarine New Jersey

(Photo: HII)

HII announced that Virginia-class submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) was recently launched into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division.The 7,800-ton submarine, which had been in a floating dry dock since being transferred from a construction facility in March, was submerged and moved by tugboats to the shipyard’s submarine pier for final outfitting, testing and crew certification.“Achieving this construction milestone is a very rewarding event to our shipbuilding team,” said Jason Ward, Newport News’ vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction.

12 Apr 2022

Seafarers’ House to Honor Carnival's Arnold W. Donald

Arnold W. Donald (Photo: Carnival Corporation)

Arnold W. Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation & PLC, has been selected as the recipient of Seafarers’ House International Golden Compass Award for 2022. The award is given each year to those who have achieved distinction in the maritime world, those whose vocation or avocation has been the sea, or those who have ministered to or otherwise assisted seafarers.Donald grew up in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans with 27 foster brothers and sister. His parents’ generosity made a significant impact on his life.

14 Mar 2022

Virginia-Class Submarine Montana (SSN 794) Delivered to US Navy

Virginia-class attack submarine Montana (SSN 794) successfully completed initial sea trials in February 2022. (Photo: Ashley Cowan / HII)

America’s largest shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) on Friday delivered the newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine to the U.S. Navy. Montana (SSN 794), which successfully completed sea trials last month, is the 10th Virginia-class submarine to be delivered by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division and the 21st built as part of the teaming agreement with General Dynamics’ Electric Boat.“We continue to be proud of our partnership with the U.S. Navy in delivering the most advanced ships in the world to our warfighters…

07 Mar 2022

Sovcomflot's Tankers Find Refuge in the Bahamas Amid Growing Sanctions

At least three tankers controlled by Russian maritime powerhouse Sovcomflot that have been unable to deliver their cargoes due to Western sanctions have re-routed to the Bahamas, vessel tracking data showed on Monday.Russian state-owned Sovcomflot was blacklisted by the United States last month over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Britain and Canada also banned vessels flagged, operated or owned by Russia from docking at their ports.Sovcomflot oil and refined products tankers SCF Don, SCF Neva and SCF Ussuri since the weekend signaled the Bahamas as their destination, after rerouting from other nations, according to Refinitiv Eikon tracking…

07 Mar 2022

New Zealand's First Fully Electric Ship is a Zero Polluter Down Under

(Photo: Stellar Studio)

The southern hemisphere’s first fully electric, carbon fiber commuter ferry has successfully completed its inaugural round trip with a Thordon seawater lubricated propeller shaft arrangement supplied by New Zealand’s Henley Engineering.Ika Rere , Mãori for flying fish, joined the East by West fleet in December operating the company’s Wellington to Eastbourne route.Commenting on the ferry’s first trip, between West Queen’s Wharf and Days Bay, Henley Engineering Managing Director, Mark Power, said: “Ika Rere runs like a Tesla Model S! It’s fast, efficient, smooth and quiet.

26 Feb 2022

13 Dead after Tourist Boat Capsizes in Vietnam

Copyright sharafmaksumov/AdobeStock

At least 13 tourists were found dead and four remained missing after a boat capsized off Vietnam's central coast of Hoi An on Saturday, a city official said."We are searching for the missing," Nguyen Sinh, party chief of Cua Dai Ward in Hoi An City told Reuters.The accident happened when the boat was carrying 36 tourists and three sailors from Cu Lao Cham Island to Hoi An, the government said in a statement.Vietnam is seeing an increase in tourism activities after the country recently lifted most of its coronavirus curbs.

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