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Sealift Ship News

10 Jun 2021

Enterprise Revisited: Titanium is the USCG Vessel Procurement Magic Bullet

Evaluating a 260-m trimaran sealift ship, comparing the cost of a titanium vessel with a steel vessel, found that the acquisition cost of the titanium vessel would be $2.3B compared to $1.5B for a steel ship. However, the lifecycle savings of the titanium vessel would be $2.74B. In other words, once you build the first vessel in titanium, with the savings you can build the next vessel for free. That is called a two-fer!
Photo By Aleksander/AdobeStock

In my May 2020 MREN USS Enterprise column I made a reference to the benefits of titanium as a hull structural material.It related to the life of the USCG cutter Bear and I concluded the column with a suggestion that titanium would be a particularly useful and cost-effective structural material for sail training vessels, aircraft carriers, research vessels, cruise vessels, tugs and Staten Island ferries. I made this suggestion assuming that the hull design (shape) would have to be mature…

30 May 2013

Portable Oil Analysis Instruments

Testing oil with the Q1000 and the Q3000

The United States Naval Ship (USNS) Watson is one of the large, medium-speed, roll-on, roll-off (LMSR) ships that have significantly expanded the nation’s sealift capacity. The Watson has a considerable amount of machinery including main engines, generators and cranes that need oil tested on a regular basis to detect potential problems and eliminate the possibility of a catastrophic failure. The test kits used in the past were time-consuming and their accuracy was questionable. The (USNS) Watson is operated by Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. (OSI) under contract to Military Sealift Command.

20 Sep 2009

SNAME Papers, Annual Meeting & Expo

Technical papers on a wide range of ship design and production topics will be presented during the Society of Naval Architects and Engineers (SNAME) Annual Meeting and Expo, October 21-23 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Early registration discounts of up to $200 are available until September 23. Abstracts of all 2009 technical papers can be viewed at: www.snameexpo.com/2009/conference/SessionPapers.asp. The full text of each paper will be available online to registered attendees. • Performing Detailed Design Reviews of a U.S. • Can RFID be Successfully Used in Shipbuilding? • Two Approaches To Scheduling Outfitting Processes In Shipbuilding?

09 Sep 2003

Payload Pivotal to Fast Sealift Ship

While catamaran and multi-hull vessel technology is increasingly being explored for its potential in high-speed military and logistical support applications, Rolls-Royce has unveiled a proposal for a fast naval sealift ship based on a monohull RoPax ferry design. The impulse for developing a vessel type with that rare combination of exceptional speed and relatively high payload capacity originates from the changing emphasis in military support requirements, not least the deployment of rapid response forces to distant areas at short notice. The project has also been driven by a general trend towards faster combatants and the complementary need for a faster speed of back-up and replenishment. The Rolls-Royce proposal entails a 4,000-dwt vessel of 581 ft.

18 Sep 2003

Final Bob Hope-Class Sealift Ship Delivered

the U.S. decade of construction of the Bob Hope-class ships. Benavidez is the final ship of seven of these LMSR (large, medium-speed, roll-on, roll-off) vessels built by Ship Systems' Avondale Operations in New Orleans, La. The ship conducted successful sea trials this summer and recorded an excellent rating by the Navy. this ship," said Capt. aboard the vessel. managers, along with my SUPSHIP staff. delivering first-time quality. than 380,000 square feet of cargo capacity on six decks. vehicles and other cargo. operations at Avondale.

29 Apr 2002

NASSCO Launches the USNS Soderman

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has joined with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army to launch the USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317), the eighth and final Strategic Sealift ship to be built for the Navy by NASSCO. At a length of 950 ft. and with a beam of 105 ft., the strategic sealift ships are the largest ships ever launched down a sliding ways in the United States and the largest ships that can fit through the Panama Canal. The nighttime launch of the Soderman took place at 9:20 p.m., as the ship was released from its inclined building ways into San Diego Bay, accompanied by a cheering crowd of NASSCO employees and spectators and a fireworks display.

21 May 2002

GE Marine Engines Power Final Sealift Ship

GE Marine Engines’ LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines and main reduction gears power the eighth and final Strategic Sealift ship, the USNS Soderman, recently launched by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO). “GE is proud to have supplied the engines, gears and automation systems for the eighth Sealift ship. This brings the total number of U.S. Navy ships fitted with GE’s gas turbines to 192,” said Karl Matson, General Manager of GE Marine Engines. “Our engines continue to provide the Navy with outstanding reliability, logging over 7.5 million operating hours in service for our country,” Matson added. Two GE LM2500s are used on each gas turbine-powered Sealift vessel. The gas turbines offer 32,000 horsepower -- a special rating for the Sealift operating profile.

30 Jan 2001

Litton Delivers Sealift Ship Ahead of Schedule

USNS MENDONCA (T-AKR 303), the fourth of seven BOB HOPE Class Strategic Sealift ships being built by Litton Avondale Industries was delivered to the U.S. Navy on January 30, 2001, ahead of schedule. MENDONCA and her sister ships of the class are designed to support the nation's ability to deploy military equipment and supplies quickly to U.S. troops around the world and provide pre-positioning and surge sealift capacity to contingency areas worldwide. The 950-ft.-long, large, medium-speed, RoRo (LMSR) ships of the BOB HOPE Class are among the largest in the Navy fleet. "A remarkable team has developed among the New Orleans Supervisor of Shipbuilding…

12 Jul 2002

Northrop Grumman Delivers Another Sealift Ship

USNS Brittin (T-AKR 305), the sixth of seven Bob Hope-class strategic sealift ships being built by Northrop Grumman Corporation's Ship Systems sector, was delivered to the U.S. Navy at the company's Avondale Operations in New Orleans. Participating in the delivery were representatives of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the supervisor of shipbuilding, conversion and repair, New Orleans, and Ship Systems officials. Delivery took place following Brittin's integrated sea trials, which combined the formerly separate builder's and Navy Acceptance Trials into one evolution. Brittin, and the 150-member Ship Systems integrated trials team, scored the highest grade ever for a strategic sealift ship, and also recorded a rating of "excellent" by Navy inspectors.

19 Jul 2001

Sealift Ship To Be Christened Benavidez At Avondale

The seventh and final Strategic Sealift ship in the BOB HOPE Class will be christened BENAVIDEZ in ceremonies at the Northrop Grumman Corporation Avondale shipyard Saturday, July 21, 2001, beginning at 10 a.m. The new ship will be named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Army Master Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez, of Lindenau, Tex. Benavidez distinguished himself in a series of daring and extremely valorous actions while in the Republic of Vietnam assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, U.S. Army. On May 2, 1968, while a Staff Sgt., Benavidez voluntarily led the emergency extraction of a 12-man special…

30 Aug 2001

Sealift Ship Delivered Ahead of Schedule

USNS PILILAAU (T-AKR 304), the fifth of seven BOB HOPE Class Strategic Sealift ships being built by Northrop Grumman Corporation's Ship Systems sector, departed Avondale Aug. 24, 2001, after being delivered to the U.S. Navy ahead of schedule one month earlier. PILILAAU earned an outstanding Acceptance Trial evaluation from the Navy and the Office of the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, New Orleans, earlier this summer. "We are very pleased with the performance of PILILAAU, and with the ahead-of-schedule delivery," said Tom Kitchen, president of Ship Systems' Avondale operations. "The trials were so successful because our many skilled craftsmen produced the most complete ship yet.

26 Aug 1999

Control System from EDI

Electronic Design, Inc. (EDI), designs and manufactures shipboard control and monitoring systems, training and simulation systems, and related products for large and small ships; both commercial and military. In 1997, EDI was chosen to participate in the U.S. Navy's Smart Ship project, and was awarded a contract to completely retrofit the hardwired Machinery Plant Control and Monitoring System (MPCMS) aboard an amphibious troop carrier (LSD 47), with a state-of-the-art, processor-based, software system using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. Smart Ship was conceived in 1996 by the Navy to evaluate its future with respect to manpower and cost. It was clear COTS technology and reduced manning were essential elements.

20 Dec 1999

U.S. Builders Make Waves At Year End

While consolidations and closures continue to reshape the ship and boatbuilding industry worldwide, 1999 ended on some positive notes, particularly for ship and boat building companies in the United States. U.S. builders, who have watched U.S. Navy business dwindle for more than a decade, have – with the help of the U.S. Maritime Administration – invested hundreds of millions of dollars and an endless amount of effort to restructure their shipyard’s structures, machinery and work flows. The result: a smaller but more capable base of companies that are geared to fulfill demands of traditional clients down the block as easily as they fulfill the demands of customers around the world. The efforts of many U.S.

20 Dec 1999

U.S. Builders Make Waves At Year End

While consolidations and closures continue to reshape the ship and boatbuilding industry worldwide, 1999 ended on some positive notes, particularly for ship and boat building companies in the United States. U.S. builders, who have watched U.S. Navy business dwindle for more than a decade, have – with the help of the U.S. Maritime Administration – invested hundreds of millions of dollars and an endless amount of effort to restructure their shipyard’s structures, machinery and work flows. The result: a smaller but more capable base of companies that are geared to fulfill demands of traditional clients down the block as easily as they fulfill the demands of customers around the world. The efforts of many U.S.

30 Dec 1999

U.S. Builders Make Waves At Year End

While consolidations and closures continue to reshape the ship and boatbuilding industry worldwide, 1999 ended on some positive notes, particularly for ship and boat building companies in the United States. U.S. builders, who have watched U.S. Navy business dwindle for more than a decade, have - with the help of the U.S. Maritime Administration - invested hundreds of millions of dollars and an endless amount of effort to restructure their shipyard's structures, machinery and work flows. The result: a smaller but more capable base of companies that are geared to fulfill demands of traditional clients down the block as easily as they fulfill the demands of customers around the world.

05 Jan 2000

U.S. Builders Make Waves At Year End

While consolidation and closures continue to reshape the ship and boatbuilding industry worldwide, 1999 ended on some positive notes, particularly for ship and boat building companies in the United States. U.S. builders, who have watched U.S. Navy business dwindle for more than a decade, have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to restructure their shipyards. The result: a smaller but more capable base of companies that are geared to fulfill demands of traditional clients down the block as easily as they fulfill the demands of customers around the world. A recent swing through the vibrant Gulf of Mexico region helped to quantify the strides that have been made. In particular, much capital has been expended in improving the capabilities processing and cutting steel.

30 May 2003

Seventh Bob Hope-Class Sealift Ship Departs For Sea Trials

The seventh and final Bob Hope-class Strategic Sealift ship, Benavidez (T-AKR 306), built by Northrop Grumman Corporation's Ship Systems sector, is underway in the Gulf of Mexico on predelivery sea trials. The 950-ft. cargo ship, built at Ship Systems' Avondale Operations in New Orleans, is undergoing at-sea testing of all equipment and systems, en route to Ship Systems' Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss., for additional dockside testing. The ship is expected to return to Avondale early next week, and to be delivered to the U.S. Navy in June. This class of Navy ships is named for the legendary entertainer Bob Hope. All seven Bob Hope-class ships were built at Avondale Operations.

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