Johns Ship News

St. Johns Ship Building (SJSB), a subsidiary of Americraft Marine Group, announced the receipt and commissioning of a new 100-ton Link-Belt rough terrain crane, acquired through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program.The Link-Belt 100|RT is fabricated and assembled in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. This heavy-lift crane expands the shipyard’s material-handling and modular assembly capabilities, supporting a growing backlog of both commercial and government vessel programs.The 100|RT crane features a five-section…

St. Johns Ship Building, a Jones Act shipyard and a subsidiary of Americraft Marine, has been awarded a new contract by Johnson Bros. Corporation, a Southland Company, for the construction of three 140’ x 40’ x 8’ steel material deck barges with spud wells.All fabrication and assembly work will be performed at St. Johns Ship Building’s Palatka, Florida facility. The project further accelerates the shipyard’s growth, following multiple recent vessel deliveries and new contract awards from both commercial and government customers.This contract also supports St.

St. Johns Ship Building, a Florida-based Jones Act facility owned by Americraft Marine, has announced the successful delivery of the Atlantic Endurance, the second of two Chartwell Ambitious-Class Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) ordered by Atlantic Wind Transfers. The delivery follows the recent handover of the Atlantic Resolute and brings the total number of CTVs delivered by St. Johns Ship Building within an eighteen-month period to five. With both Incat and Chartwell-designed vessels now successfully constructed and delivered…

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded $8.75 million in grants to revitalize U.S. shipyards and advance America’s maritime dominance.The funding is part of the Small Shipyard Grant program, which supports advanced training, workforce development and new technologies that strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and repair capabilities. Duffy said the program will help America counter Chinese competition and maintain freedom…

St. Johns Ship Building, owned by Americraft Marine, won its first U.S. Navy shipbuilding contract to construct a Dive Support Vessel (DSV).  The new DSV will serve perational roles for the U.S. Navy, including support for specialized diving and underwater support, operations and training. "Securing our first contract with the U.S. Navy is a tremendous achievement and reflects the dedication, talent, and hard work of our entire team," said Joe Rella, President of St. Johns Ship Building.

St. Johns Ship Building, a Palatka, Florida-based Jones Act-compliant shipyard owned by Americraft Marine, announced the delivery of the WINDEA Reliance, the third and final vessel in a series of 30-meter aluminum Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) built for WINDEA CTV LLC, a partnership between MidOcean Wind and Hornblower Wind.This delivery completes a three-vessel build program that includes the WINDEA Courageous, WINDEA Enterprise, and now WINDEA Reliance—all constructed at St. Johns Ship Building to support offshore wind farm development and operations along the U.S. East Coast.

St. Johns Ship Building was awarded two contracts with a cumulative total of about $17 million. The projects include the construction of a Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) and two aluminum cruise vessels. The new aluminum CTV is designed to meet the demands of offshore operations, ensuring safe and efficient transportation of personnel and equipment. Incorporating advanced technology and sustainable design elements, the vessel will contribute to the next generation of maritime innovation while supporting the expansion of offshore infrastructure in the U.S.In addition, St. Johns Ship Building has been contracted to build two aluminum cruise vessels, further diversifying its production portfolio and reinforcing its capabilities in the commercial passenger vessel sector.

US Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS) addressed a hearing titled “America Builds: Maritime Infrastructure” on Wednesday saying: “It is clearly critical that we must build a safer and more efficient system.”The new chairman, for the 119th Congress, said the Jones Act is quite literally the bedrock and foundation of the nation’s shipbuilding industrial base because it helps to maintain a pool of qualified American mariners that the US relies on to transport goods and its military…

St. Johns Ship Building, owned by Americraft Marine, signed a contract with Hal Jones Contractor, a Division of Vecellio & Grogan, Inc., to build a 150 x 60 x 8-ft. Spud Barge. The Spud Barges, built to support various marine construction and operations, will serve in Hal Jones Contractor’s fleet.

St. Johns Ship Building this week announced a deal with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to construct two (2) 140' x 32' x 7' Stop Log Barges. The contract is St. Johns Ship Building’s first new construction project for the U.S. Government.“The new Stop-Log Barges will support the Army Corps’ major maintenance fleet working on the navigation system, locks and powerhouses, and the flood control lakes located within the Tulsa District,” according to a USACE statement.St.

St. Johns Ship Building announced it has appointed Jim Sorenson as vice president of government sales. Sorenson will spearhead all government-related sales efforts at the Palatka, Fla.-based shipyard and report directly to Joe Rella, president of St. Johns Ship Building.With over 20 years of experience in the maritime industry, Sorenson brings a wealth of expertise in government and commercial sales, project management and customer relations. Most recently, Sorenson served as director of sales at Willard Marine, Inc.

Palatka, Fla. shipbuilder St. Johns Ship Building announced it has signed a contract to construct a pair of 80 x 54 x 12 spud barges for marine equipment company Mobro Marine, based in Green Cove Springs, Fla.The spud barges, built to support various marine construction and operations, will join Mobro Marine's fleet serving across the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.“Having St. Johns Ship Building partner with us to build these barges was only natural. We preferred…

A fleet of Jones Act compliant crew transfer vessels is growing in stride with the United States’ burgeoning offshore wind industry.When the United Sates’ first purpose-built crew transfer vessel (CTV), Atlantic Pioneer, was delivered in 2016, the country’s offshore wind industry was just getting off the ground. In the years that followed, the industry has been building up—perhaps slower than expected at times—but today is moving forward in earnest.Coinciding with this build-up is the growth of a fleet of Jones Act qualified vessels…

With its two latest vessel deliveries, WINDEA CTV has completed its inaugural fleet of Jones Act qualified crew transfer vessels (CTV) to service the growing U.S. offshore wind industry.The four brand-new Incat Crowther-designed hybrid-ready CTVs—including the previously delivered WINDEA Courageous and Intrepid, as well as the recently completed and delivered WINDEA Ranger and Enterprise—were constructed by St. Johns Ship Building in Palatka, Fla.; Gulf Craft in Franklin, La.; and Breaux Brothers Enterprises in New Iberia, La.

Palatka, Fla. shipbuilder St. Johns Ship Building delivered Windea Enterprise, the second of three Jones Act-compliant Incat Crowther 30-meter crew transport vessels (CTV) ordered by WINDEA CTV, LLC, a partnership of Hornblower Wind and MidOcean Wind.St. Johns Ship Building has a long-term relationship with WINDEA CTV, LLC, a company focused on U.S. offshore wind farm support, providing crew and cargo transfer services for offshore installations and long-term operations and maintenance.St.

If nothing else, building vessels in the U.S. is a complicated business.In a session on the domestic shipbuilding marketplace, at Marine Money’s late-November 2023 conference held in New Orleans, Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards (with more than a dozen facilities, in Mississippi and Louisiana), described his company’s architecture as a “three-legged stool approach: commercial newbuilds, government newbuilds and repair/conversion capabilities”.On the same panel…

Americraft Marine, one of the maritime subsidiaries of Libra Group that owns and operates a Jones Act shipbuilding facility in Palatka, Fla., has announced the appointment of Peter Fetten as Chairman of Americraft.A seasoned leader with four decades in the marine engineering and shipbuilding sectors, Fetten will help shape the strategic direction of Americraft Marine as it works to advance U.S. shipbuilding and the demand for Jones Act vessels. Americraft Marine's St. Johns Ship Building…

St. Johns Ship Building on Wednesday announced it has signed a contract with Seapath for construction of a series of six ABS deck barges in support of their Jones Act leasing business.The barges will be built at St Johns Ship Building’s facility in Palatka, Fla. and will be dispatched to multiple charterers along the US East Coast.Seapath is a subsidiary of the Libra Group, which is also parent to St. Johns’ holding company, Americraft Marine Group.Joshua Lubarsky, CEO of Seapath, said, “Domestic maritime transportation is the backbone of the US transportation system.

Libra Group subsidiary Seapath has launched a Jones Act leasing business offering maritime leasing and financing solutions and a growing portfolio of vessels valued at approximately $25 million.The group said it sees significant unmet demand for the supply of Jones Act compliant transport assets.Joshua Lubarsky, president of Seapath, said, “Domestic maritime transportation is the backbone of the U.S. transportation system. By launching our new Jones Act leasing business, Seapath…

St. Johns Ship Building announced it has appointed Joe Rella as president, succeeding Jeffery Bukoski, who left the role at the close of 2023.Rella brings over four decades of U.S. Navy and commercial maritime experience to his new position at the Palatka, Fa. shipyard. He was previously president and COO at Austal USA and has held executive roles at International Marine and Industrial Applicators. Rella received his undergraduate degree in marine engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and earned an MBA from Spring Hill College.

Jeffery Bukoski, president of Palatka, Fla. shipyard St. Johns Ship Building, has been awarded the RADM Lauren S. McCready Award, which recognizes graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) who have made significant technical achievements in the marine industry or who have contributed organizational or managerial support to making such technical achievements possible.Bukoski, USMMA class of 1986, is a 35 year veteran of the U.S. marine industry, having worked at several government and commercial shipyards on the East…

Franklin, La. shipbuilder Gulf Craft in December delivered WINDEA Intrepid, a new crew transfer vessel built for WINDEA CTV, a partnership between Hornblower Wind and MidOcean Wind.Designed by Incat Crowther and classed by Bureau Veritas, the 30-meter-long aluminum catamaran has capacity to carry 24 technicians, plus six crew. It is powered by four Volvo DI13 main engines that drive quad Volvo IPS propulsion units. The vessel is described as "hybrid-ready", meaning it has been…

Palatka, Fla. shipyard St. Johns Ship Building announced it has delivered WINDEA Courageous, the first of three Jones Act compliant crew transfer vessels (CTV) ordered by WINDEA CTV, a partnership between Hornblower Wind and MidOcean Wind.The 30-meter-long WINDEA Courageous and its sister vessels are designed by Incat Crowther and each have capacity to carry 24 technicians, plus six crew. The Bureau Veritas-classed vessels will be propelled by quad Volvo IPS propulsion units driven by Volvo DI13 main engines.