American Petroleum Tankers Awarded $28.5 Million MSC Charter
Kinder Morgan's shipping arm, American Petroleum Tankers, has been awarded a $28,548,000 charter contract option for one of its MR tankers, Empire State.The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced the deal earlier this week, stating the option is the third of the current contract, which includes a 12-month base period with three 12-month options and one 11-month option. If all options are exercised, work would run through July 23, 2025, and the cumulative value the deal would be $136,560,500. The 600-foot Empire State is being used in support of the U.S.
Bollinger Cuts Steel on Prototype Module for First Polar Security Cutter
Bollinger Shipyards this week announced it has begun cutting steel at Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. on the first of eight prototype modules that will become the foundation of the first U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC), USCGC Polar Sentinel (PSC-1)—the first heavy icebreaker to be built in the United States in 50 years. "Today marks a significant step for both Bollinger Shipyards and the United States,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “After over 50 years, we're back to building heavy icebreakers.
Austal USA to Build Fifth T-ATS Ship for the US Navy
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA has been awarded a $71,706,745 fixed-price incentive contract option from the U.S. Navy for the construction of an additional Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS 15).With the award, the company is now under contract for five T-ATS, having received awards for T-ATS 13 and 14 in July 2022 and T-ATS 11 and 12 in October 2021.Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal USA's Australian parent company Austal, said the contract award again highlights Austal USA’s growing steel shipbuilding capability…
Solstad Offshore to Exit Platform Supply Vessel Business. Agrees to Sell 37 Vessels to Tidewater
Norwegian offshore support vessel owner Solstad Offshore has agreed to sell 37 platform supply vessels to the U.S. firm Tidewater for $577 million.The sale will mark Solstad Offshore's exit from the platform supply vessel sector. Ongoing PSV charter parties will be transferred to Tidewater. Solstad will offer management services to Tidewater in a transition period to facilitate a smooth transfer for the parties and the customers.The offshore employees associated with the PSV Fleet will be offered employment with Tidewater.
Australia Orders Another Patrol Boat from Austal
Australian shipbuilding group Austal Limited announced that the Australian Government has ordered an additional Guardian-class Patrol Boat from Austal Australia for A$15.2 million.The 39.5-meter steel hull patrol boat, to be constructed in Western Australia and delivered in September 2024, is in addition to the 21 Guardian-class Patrol Boats ordered by the Australian Government under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) in 2016.Fifteen of the 21 vessels have been delivered to 11 Pacific Island nations under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program…
US Navy Awards Austal Option for Two More T-ATS Vessels
Australian shipbuilding group Austal announced its Austal USA arm has been awarded a $156,171,650 fixed-price incentive contract option from the U.S. Navy for the construction of two additional Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships (T-ATS 13 and 14). With the award, the company is now under contract for four T-ATS, having received awards for T-ATS 11 and 12 in October 2021.Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said the latest contract award re-affirmed the Navy’s great confidence in Austal USA’s capabilities as a steel shipbuilder…
Fincantieri Marinette Marine Awarded Contract for Third Constellation-class Frigate
The U.S. Navy announced Thursday that Fincantieri Marinette Marine is on contract to build a third Constellation-class Frigate, the future USS Chesapeake.This announcement follows last month’s successful critical design review of the first-in-class FFG-62, which is nearing the start of construction. The value of this contract option is approximately $536 million.“We are pleased with the award, and our focus remains on working with the Navy to build the best frigate in the world…
Austal Delivers 15th Guardian-class Patrol Boat
Shipbuilding group Austal announced its Austal Australia arm has delivered the 15th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, Te Kukupa II, was then gifted by the Australian Government to the Cook Islands at a certificate signing ceremony at Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.The new Guardian-class Patrol Boat replaces the original Te Kukupa, a Pacific-class Patrol Boat gifted to the Cook Islands in 1989 and recently decommissioned…
USCG Awards Bollinger Four More Fast Response Cutters
The U.S. Coast Guard has exercised a contract option to award Bollinger Shipyards four additional Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC). This announcement brings the total number of FRCs awarded to Bollinger up to 64 vessels since the program’s inception. To date, the U.S. Coast Guard has commissioned 43 FRCs into operational service.All four FRCs will be built at Bollinger’s Lockport, La. facility and are scheduled for delivery to the Coast Guard between Fall 2024 and Summer 2025.“We’re incredibly proud of the work we do at Bollinger…
Australia Gifts Newbuild Patrol Boat to Vanuatu
The Australian Department of Defense has handed over a newly built patrol boat to the Republic of Vanuatu. The vessel, the RVS Takuare, was gifted by the Australian Government to the South Pacific Ocean nation at a certificate signing ceremony held at the Australian Marine Complex, in Henderson, Western Australia.The vessel is the 12th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) built by Austal Australia and the first to be delivered to Vanuatu under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1)…
Austal Builds Patrol Boat for Tonga
Shipbuilder Austal Limited announced that its Austal Australia division has delivered the eighth Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense.The vessel, VOEA Ngahau Siliva, was gifted by the Australian Government to the Kingdom of Tonga during a handover ceremony at Austal Australia’s Henderson shipyard on Friday.Austal Chief Operating Officer and CEO Designate Patrick Gregg noted VOEA Ngahau Siliva was the second Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered…
Eastern Gets Green Light to Build Second Offshore Patrol Cutter
Eastern Shipbuilding said the U.S. Coast Guard executed a modification to the contract to build the second Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and Long Lead Time Materials for the third OPC. These accomplishments result from successful completion of a Production Readiness Review (PRR) in February 2020.Eastern’s President Joey D’Isernia said, "Today represents not only the continuation of production for the USCG’s future replacement of their 210-foot and 270-foot class Medium Endurance Cutters, but also an important step in the continuing recovery of Northwest Florida and ESG post Hurricane Michael.
Australia Gifts Newbuild Patrol Boat to Papua New Guinea
Shipbuilding group Austal announced it has has delivered the ninth Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, the future HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap, was then gifted by the Australian Government to the Papua New Guinea Defense Force at a ceremony held at Austal Australia’s Henderson shipyard.The vessel is the second of four Guardian-class Patrol Boats to be delivered to Papua New Guinea under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project, part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program…
US Shipyards Forge Ahead Through COVID-19
As the novel coronavirus and its impacts continue to spread across America, U.S. shipbuilders, by and large, continue to build. While most yards have been deemed essential to marine transportation and/or national security and have been able to maintain operations, the situation at and around every shipyard is different, and there are several builders across the country that have had to temporarily suspend activity. In either scenario, it’s far from business as usual for America’s…
VT Halter to Build Additional US Navy Barge
VT Halter Marine said it has been awarded a contract option for the U.S. Navy’s fourth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge. The contract award is $39,906,609 for a firm, fixed-price option for the detail design and construction of the vessel.The Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder has been up and running throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and is currently constructing the first three APLs. In September 2018, the company received the initial contract to design and build two units, with options for four additional units.
Austal Delivers Palau Patrol Boat
Shipbuilder Austal Australia has delivered the seventh Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, PSS President H.I. Remeliik II, was gifted by the Government of Australia to the Government of Palau during a handover ceremony at Austal Australia’s Henderson shipyard.Austal Chief Executive David Singleton said this Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivery was unique as it is the first to take place under COVID-19 restrictions.The 39.5-meter steel monohull patrol boat—designed…
Three New Boats for Norsk Fisketransport
Havyard signed a contract with Norsk Fisketransport (NFT) for another two wellboats with an option for one more.These will be vessels number five and six for NFT of the Havyard 587 design, and they will be the sister ships of build number 147, scheduled for completion in May 2020.The two new vessels have been allocated build numbers 150 and 151 and will be delivered in December 2020 and June 2021. The contract option for the third ship must be exercised by the end of November 2019 for delivery in November 2021.
Australia Gifts Guardian Class Patrol Boat to Tuvalu
Australian designer and manufacturer, Austal handed over a Guardian-class patrol boat to the Pacific Island country Tuvalu in a ceremony in Perth, Australia.This is the second of 21 GCPBs being gifted by the Commonwealth to 12 Pacific Island Nations and Timor-Leste under the Commonwealths Pacific Maritime Security Program."Austal is pleased to deliver this program for the Commonwealth of Australia. The Guardian Class has brought together the industry-leading skills of over 200 Austal employees, and is estimated to have employed an additional 200 people indirectly through the design, construction and sustainment process which will continue through the life of the program out to 2023" Austal CEO…
Gulf Island to Build OSU Vessel
American manufacturer of specialized structures and marine vessels used in the energy sector Gulf Island Fabrication announced that it received an award for the construction of a third Regional Class Research Vessel for Oregon State University (OSU).The fabricator of marine vessels, this represents OSU’s execution of its third option for Gulf Island’s construction of three Regional Class Research Vessels. All three vessels will be built in the Company’s shipyard in Houma, Louisiana. Each vessel will be ABS Ice-Class CO and DPS-1, Green-Marine Certified, acoustically quiet, and carry up to 29 crew and embarked scientists."I am pleased that OSU has exercised its third contract option…
Kalmar Supplies Hybrid Shuttle Carriers to Virginia Port
Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has announced that it will supply 25 Kalmar Hybrid Shuttle Carriers to the Port of Virginia, a growing, deep water port on the U.S. East Coast.The $23 million (USD) order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q3 order intake, and represents the exercising of a contract option for further units that was agreed upon in 2017. Delivery of the new machines is scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2020.The new units will be delivered to Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), which is the port’s largest terminal and capable of handling the biggest vessels in the Atlantic trade. The next-generation Kalmar Hybrid Shuttle Carrier features a robust new mobile drive…
Austal Delivers 11th Guardian-class Patrol Boat
Australian shipbuilding group Austal announced on Friday it has delivered the 11th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, the RKS Teanoai II, was then gifted by the Australian government to the government of the Republic of Kiribati during a ceremony at Austal Australia’s Henderson shipyard.The vessel is the first Guardian-class Patrol Boat to be delivered to Kiribati under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1)…
Halter Marine to Build Fifth U.S. Navy Berthing Barge
U.S.-based Halter Marine, an ST Engineering North America company, has been awarded a contract option for the U.S. Navy’s fifth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge. APLs are used by the Navy to house crewmembers when ships are in port for availabilities and Inter-Deployment Training Cycles. The barges are mobile and can be towed to new bases or shipyards to support changing fleet requirements and also offer potential use for humanitarian missions and other temporary assignments.The contract award announced Friday is $41 million for a firm…
Eleventh National Security Cutter Named Elizebeth Smith Friedman
The U.S. Coast Guard is naming the 11th Legend-Class National Security Cutter (NSC) in honor of Elizebeth Smith Friedman.Friedman was a pioneering code-breaker for the Coast Guard during the Prohibition Era and World War II, serving within the Coast Guard Cryptanalytic Unit-387. She has been dubbed "America's first female cryptanalyst" and in many ways could be considered the founder of the modern-day Coast Guard Intelligence Program.Her work with the Coast Guard began soon after the passage of the Volstead Act, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, or trade of alcohol in the United States.