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Delaware River News

29 Aug 2023

Eastern Gets Green Light to Build USACE Hopper Dredge

(Image: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)

Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group announced on Tuesday it has received a notice to proceed after winning a contract to design and build a new hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).The 6,000-cubic-yard-capacity diesel-electric dredge will be constructed at Eastern’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is scheduled for delivery in 2027, the builder said.The new medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) will be based at the Corps’ Philadelphia District, replacing the 57-year-old McFarland


28 Aug 2023

Offshore Wind: US Shipbuilders Answering the Call

From left to right: Lasse Petterson, CEO of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock; Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa.; President Joe Biden; and Steinar Nerbovik, CEO of Philadelphia Shipyard (Photo: Philly Shipyard)

It’s a big deal when a U.S. president visits an American shipyard, and these trips always send a message. When President Obama spoke at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in 2013, he warned of the consequences of sequestration. President Trump’s 2020 speech at Fincantieri Marinette Marine touted a $5.5 billion naval contract that gave a welcome boost to the Wisconsin shipyard and its supply chain partners. Most recently, President Biden traveled to Philadelphia’s Philly Shipyard


25 Jul 2023

Eastern Shipbuilding to Build New Hopper Dredge for the USACE

McFarland is one of four oceangoing hopper dredges owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Photo: Dave Evinger / USACE)

Panama City, Fla. based Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been awarded a contract to design and build a new hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.The $256,955,264 firm-fixed-price contract will see Eastern design and build the new medium-class hopper dredge (MCHD) for scheduled delivery in August 2027. Eastern was one of three bidders for the project.The new 6,000-cubic-yard-capacity hopper dredge will replace the USACE Philadelphia District's high-powered deep draft hopper dredge McFarland, built in 1967.

20 Jul 2023

Biden Attends Steel Cutting for Great Lakes' Subsea Rock Installation Vessel

From left to right: Lasse Petterson, CEO of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock; Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa.; President Joe Biden; and Steinar Nerbovik, CEO of Philadelphia Shipyard (Photo: Philly Shipyard)

President Joe Biden traveled to Philadelphia on Thursday to attend a steel cutting ceremony for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation's new offshore wind rock placement vessel, touting his administration’s clean energy agenda and job creation efforts as the U.S. builds up its offshore wind industry. "The clean energy future we’re building all across America will be transformational,” Biden said during the ceremony at Philly Shipyard. “Thousands of families will rely on good jobs these projects create


27 Sep 2022

New Bill Aims to Increase US Federal Funding for Public Ferry Service

© sheilaf2002 / Adobe Stock

A new bill recently introduced by Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) aims to increase federal funding for public ferry services in the United States.The “Ferry Service Expansion Act” would boost funding for both the Federal Highway Administration’s formula and the Federal Transit Administration’s competitive grant programs to the levels requested by the Public Ferry Coalition, building upon New Federal Investment in Ferry Service under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.Specifically


24 Aug 2022

Great Lakes Announces $107 Million in New Dredging Contracts

(File photo: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation)

The United States' largest dredging contractor Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation on Wednesday announced the receipt of $107 million in new contract awards along the U.S. East Coast.The awarded dredging work includes: Norfolk Harbor Navigation Improvements Project (Capital, Virginia, $56.8 million), Charleston Lower Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project (Maintenance, South Carolina, $15.4 million), Tampa Harbor Maintenance Dredging 45-Foot Project (Maintenance, Florida, $13 million)


03 Jun 2022

MARAD Designates Four New Marine Highway Projects

© Betty Sederquist / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the immediate designation of four new Marine Highway Projects as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). Projects in North Carolina, Alaska, and Puerto Rico will receive these designations. They can now apply for record levels of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address supply chain challenges.A Marine Highway Project is a planned service, or expansion of an existing service, on a designated Marine Highway Route.

23 May 2022

Multiple Fireboats Fighting Fire on Barge in Delaware Bay

Credit: Memorial Fire Company Sta 89

The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday it was, together with local fire agencies, responding to a barge fire approximately 9 miles south of Port Mahon.Watchstanders at the Sector Delaware Bay Command Center received a call at approximately 1 a.m. reporting a barge on fire in the Delaware River. The barge was reportedly carrying household appliances for scrap, the U.S. Coast Guard said.The Coast Guard launched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew to assist and continue to monitor the situation. "There are six fireboats on scene from local fire agencies actively fighting the fire," the U.S.

07 Feb 2022

Maritime Infrastructure Opportunities Listed by USACE Jan 24-28

© Wirestock / Adobe Stock

These titles and headlines reference new contract opportunities listed on the SAM.gov contracting website which needs to be accessed directly to check for full details and instructions regarding follow up.‱Locks 27 Miter Gate Anchorages Replacement on the Chain of Rocks Canal located in Granite City, Ill.‱Olmsted Crane Barge Maintenance: Drydocking and Dockside Services.‱FY22 USACE Environmental Services for Evaluation of Dredged Material, Galveston.‱Excavator Barge Invitation for Bid


02 Feb 2022

Passenger Vessel Sector Faces Winding Path Back to ‘Normal’

Washington State Ferries’ first new hybrid-electric ferry, which will be an Olympic-class vessel similar in design to Suquamish (pictured), will be named Wishkah and is scheduled to enter service in 2025. (Photo: WSF)

The year just ended, 2021, might be described as being about “trying to get back to normal”, across the entire transportation spectrum, two years into the pandemic. During this time, the decarbonization and electrification waves have swept across maritime passenger transport. The passenger side of the business is dependent on multiple funding sources; increasingly, this money will be driven by environmental and social considerations.The long-awaited funding of “infrastructure”-related projects


26 Jan 2022

New USACE Dredge in the Works

The McFarland, a deep-draft hopper dredge owned and operated by USACE Philadelphia District (Photo: USACE)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a contract opportunity on January 25 starting the process to acquire a new Medium Class Hopper Dredge (MCHD) to replace the current dredge McFarland. The new MCHD will be part of the USACE minimum fleet and operate for the Philadelphia District. The January 25 notice is a draft solicitation published to seek industry comments which will inform the Corps’ development of a subsequent “formal solicitation,” likely to be released on or about April 1. In its notice, the Corps emphasizes that the draft is not an invitation for bid.

10 Dec 2021

MARAD Awards $12.6 Million in Grants for US Marine Highways

© Anneke / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded $12.6 million in grants to nine marine highway projects across the Nation under the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The funding will help address supply chain disruptions, enhance the movement of goods along our navigable waterways, and expand existing waterborne freight services in Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.“These investments through the America’s Marine Highway Program will help us move more goods


17 Sep 2020

Opportunities Gust Off US Shores

© Daniël Leppens / Adobe Stock

Throughout the world, offshore wind is on a growth trajectory. With green energy mandates from states in New England and the mid-Atlantic, the U.S. is joining the fray. Consultants Wood MacKenzie, in its U.S. Offshore Wind Outlook 2020-2029, suggested that as much as 25 gigawatts (GW) of capacity could be deployed in the U.S. by 2030 (though estimates range from 14 GW to as much as 34 GW), accounting for a hefty portion of incremental capacity coming online.Shipyards in New England have already seen the tip of the offshore wind iceberg


23 Jan 2020

Nestlehutt tapped to lead SCI

Photo: Seamen’s Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI)

The Seamen’s Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) selected Rev. Mark S. Nestlehutt as its new President & Executive Director, succeeding the Rev. David Rider, effective February 18, 2020.With more than two decades of church experience in Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, Australia and South Africa, Mark joins SCI from Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania where he serves as Rector. His previous employment and interests include service as an officer in the U.S.

20 Jan 2020

It’s Time to Upgrade to a Marine Evacuation System

First deployment for USCG approval Cape Henlopen at Cape May Terminal. (Photo: CMLF)

As domestic traffic from coast-to-coast continues to worsen, ferry operators are seeing a steady growth in passenger demand. As passenger demand grows, so does the demand for efficiency and hybrid technology to be incorporated into fleets. But what innovations support a fleet’s number one priority – safety? Will efficiency and the latest green technologies support these critically important vessels in an emergency situation? Is the crew aware of how much time they have to evacuate all passengers?Traditional ferry evacuation systems require passengers to be loaded onto lifeboats on deck


31 Dec 2019

GLDD Details $83M in Awarded Work

North America's dredging company Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) announced the receipt of several major dredging awards totaling $ 83 million.David Simonelli, President of Dredging said: “Great Lakes is pleased to announce these important deepening, coastal protection and maintenance dredging awards. These projects will enhance our year-end backlog and position us well for 2020. Working on these projects allows Great Lakes to help strengthen the U.S. economy, infrastructure and further support the protection of our U.S. coast lines.”The awarded work includes: Charlotte/Sarasota Regional Beach Project (Coastal Protection


11 Oct 2019

SHORTSEA SHIPPING: All the Right Moves (Finally)

The Baton Rouge-NOLA container on barge service / (CREDIT: Port of New Orleans)

Marine Highways Gain Traction in the Intermodal Supply Chain.In the United States, landside infrastructure is at a crisis point. Congestion at the big hub ports, exacerbated by imperfect intermodal interfaces with surface transport serving cargo hinterlands is at the heart of the matter. As politicians bicker over a possible infrastructure package, the Highway Trust Fund, funded by taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, has continued its downward journey towards further deficits (now $144 billion). And, where countless U.S.

02 Sep 2019

PSA International Acquires Penn Terminals

Marking its first foray into the US, Singapore-based port operator PSA International has completed the acquisition of Penn Terminals located on the Delaware River in the U.S. from Macquarie Infrastructure Partners, a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.Penn is a privately owned multipurpose marine terminal on the Eastern Coast of the USA. Penn’s terminal, warehousing and stevedoring services have enabled it to handle its clients’ cargo since 1986.“This acquisition represents PSA’s very first foray into the USA. We are delighted to embrace Penn as the newest member of the global PSA family and to be able to participate in its continued growth and expansion.

02 May 2019

U.S. Dredgers Applaud President for Jones Act Support

Wednesday, 1 May: Late this afternoon, President Donald Trump met with Congressional leaders from the Senate and House to discuss U.S. Maritime Policy. On the table was the Jones Act. President Trump assured the Congressional leaders that he is not seeking any changes to the Jones Act, nor is he seeking any waivers.“President Trump had the Jones Act matters all under control from the get-go”, said William P. Doyle, CEO & Executive Director of the Dredging Contractors of America. “Mr. Trump is all about jobs and national security — he’s never wavered on this.

14 Feb 2019

Maersk, PBF Logistics in Low Sulfur Fuel Deal

Maersk and PBF Logistics LP announce agreement for production and storage of 0.5% sulphur fuel on the U.S. East CoastPBF Logistics terminal facility in New Jersey to deliver approx. 10% of A.P. Moller – Maersk’s annual fuel demand as Maersk continues preparations for the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 global sulfur regulation.A.P. Moller - Maersk and PBF Logistics LP announced an agreement for Maersk to source and PBFX to process crude oil at CPI Operations LLC, a PBF Logistics LP terminal facility in New Jersey, United States.The agreement enables Maersk Oil Trading to supply IMO 2020-compliant 0.5% marine fuel to its customers on the US East Coast. Annual production will be around 1.25 million metric tonnes (mt), the equivalent of approx. 10% of A.P.

05 Feb 2019

PhilaPort Awaits for Container Cranes

The M/V Zhen Hua 25 departed Shanghai, China last month with two new super post-Panamax container cranes bound for South Philadelphia.The two behemoths will navigate a lengthy global trek before reaching the Delaware River for an expected mid-March arrival to the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, said a press note from the Port of Philadelphia."The arrival will mark another important milestone in the comprehensive modernization project underway at Packer, and highlights a key competitive advantage for shippers looking to improve time to market on the East Coast of the United States," it said.“Our terminal is currently under capacity, meaning we could handle rerouted surplus bound for nearby congested terminals immediately without blinking an eye


20 Jul 2018

Update: 17 Dead after Missouri Tourist Boat Sinks in Storm

Divers on Friday pulled the last four bodies from the wreckage of a "duck boat" that sank in a storm in a Missouri lake, killing 17 people in one of the deadliest U.S. tourist incidents in recent years.The World War Two-style amphibious vehicle was filled with 31 passengers including children when a microburst storm hit Table Rock Lake outside the tourist city of Branson, Missouri, on Thursday. A video of the incident showed it battered by waves.Wendy Doucey, an office manager at the Stone County sheriff's office, said that divers had recovered the four bodies from the sunken duck boat. The vehicle was 80 feet (24 m) under water."It's important that we find out for sure what events did occur," Governor Michael Parson said at a Friday morning news conference.

20 Jul 2018

Thirteen Dead as Missouri Storm Sinks 'Duck Boat'

At least 13 people including children drowned after a tourist "duck boat" sank during a storm on a lake in Missouri, and authorities were set to resume a search on Friday for other missing victims, Missouri Governor Michael Parson said.The sinking of vehicle, inspired by the amphibious landing craft used during D-Day in World War Two, marked one of the deadliest incidents at a U.S. tourist destination in recent history. Divers were still searching Table Rock Lake, a large reservoir outside the town of Branson, for missing passengers.Video of the incident showed the hull of the vessel submerging into choppy waters."Just a terrible, horrific tragic accident has occurred," Parson told CNN on Friday, noting that 13 people had been confirmed dead.

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