Speed Vessel News

The latest newbuild for the San Francisco Bay Ferry fleet has been commissioned. The high-speed passenger vessel Delphinus was built by Mavrik Marine in La Conner, Wash. as the second of four new Dorado class ferries. Design was completed by One2three Naval Architects and construction management services were provided by Aurora Marine Design.Vessel construction was funded through the Federal Transit Administration and the State of California’s Proposition 1B in collaboration with…

TECO 2030 and Umoe Mandal have delivered a documentation package to the Norwegian Maritime Authority for an approval in principle application of the world’s first fuel cell high-speed vessel design.The designed vessel is designed to be installed with a multimegawatt fuel cell system for full propulsion.The ship will be constructed based on Umoe Mandal’s proven Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) Surface Effect Ship (SES) technology and with the air-cushion catamaran design it will offer low imprint on surrounding environment…

A new-generation rescue craft proposed by Saab’s Docksta Shipyard would use remote-operation technology to dramatically cut response times for maritime accidents.Known as the Docksta Loitering, Optionally Crewed, High Speed Rescue Vessel (LHSRV), the proposed vessel could potentially travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots to maritime emergencies to provide a safe evacuation point for up to 20 survivors at a time.One potential application for the craft is in the oceans around Canada…

The Association of Maryland Pilots has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. The high-speed vessel is a sistership to its first Baltimore Class launch, delivered less than two years ago. Delivery is scheduled for 2024. With a length overall of 48.5’, beam of 15.6’, and draft of 4’, the all-aluminum pilot boat features the Ray Hunt Design deep V hull. It will be powered by twin Volvo Penta D13, EPA Tier 3-compliant diesel engines, each delivering 600 hp at 1,900 rpm with a top speed of 30 knots.

BMT announced it has promoted Lee Hedd to Regional Sales Director in the Americas, responsible for the expansion of technical and engineering services into new and existing markets including commercial, energy, government and security, and military.“It is a very exciting time for our company as we respond to growing market demands across the region. We can see strong growth potential in all aspects of our business from engineering and environmental consulting through to our energy focused segments.

Swedish company Gotlandsbolaget has unveiled the Gotland Hydrocat concept vessel, said to be the world's first large-scale, high-speed catamaran with fossil-free hydrogen propulsion.Slated to enter service in 2030, the high-speed vessel will operate between Gotland and the Swedish mainland, reducing crossing times to under three hours.The vessel is the second vessel in Gotlandsbolaget's Horizon series of high-speed passenger and cargo vessels, launched as a concept model in 2021 with the Gotland Horizon.

Offshore vessel designer Chartwell Marine on Wednesday announced the launch of its "market-first" offshore energy support vessel (OESV) with hydrofoils, in partnership with marine design & engineering consultancy, BAR Technologies (BAR Tech). Seacat Sceptre, built at the Diverse Marine yard in Cowes, Isle of Wight, for OESV operator, Seacat Services, will now undergo sea trials prior to its handover."Hydrofoils, re-popularized and matured as a technology in high-end yacht racing…

As a marine engineer focused on vessel design, I’ve watched the narrative on battery-electric and battery-hybrid vessels evolve from skepticism, to curiosity, to genuine acceptance in just a few short years. The passenger transportation sector, in particular, has been quick to embrace the concept of vessel electrification as a means of improving economics and reducing emissions. This makes sense as many ferry operations are excellent candidates for battery and hybrid-electric power due to their proximity to urban electrical grids…

Launched in 2018 to cater to the propulsion demands of high-speed vessel applications, Marine Jet Power’s (MJP) X-Series waterjets are engineered to deliver more power in a lighter unit that burns less fuel and extends range.“With the X Series we have taken our proven highly efficient mixed flow pump technology from our DRB and CSU Series, and adopted it into a fully integrated, quick to install waterjet which is mostly constructed from duplex stainless steel,” said Jonas Tegström, CEO of Sweden-based MJP.

UK-based shipbuilder and marine services provider Manor Marine has won an order to build a multi-role offshore wind farm service vessel.The 26-meter Supa Swath catamaran, designed by Walker Marine Design, was ordered by Mainprize Offshore. Manor Marine expects to deliver it in the second quarter of 2022.This will be the sixth crew transfer vessel constructed by Manor Marine, but the first vessel built for Mainprize Offshore.It will feature a Supa-Swath hull form, with a 175m2 of deck space…

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA said on Tuesday it has named long-time business development executive Larry Ryder as the company’s new vice president of business development and external affairs.In this role, Ryder is responsible for all of Austal’s business development efforts, state and federal legislative activities, customer relations with the U.S. military as well as coordinating external communications and media relations.Ryder joined Austal USA in 2014 as the company’s senior director of business development and customer relations.

Austal Australia launched the VOLTA series of electric-powered high speed ferry solutions, with the introduction of the Passenger Express 46V, a fully electric-powered 46-meter catamaran ferry design.The VOLTA series is distinct in the burgeoning market for electric vessels as it offers a completely integrated design, construction and support solution, including on-shore charging infrastructure and in-service support programs for operators.The series combines a light-weight, low-resistance hull forms…

Kongsberg Digital (KDI) delivered its first K-Sim Fast Craft simulators to the Singapore Police Coast Guard (SPCG) Training Center in Singapore.Unveiled at an official opening at the center previously this year, the four installed simulators reproduce a variety of high-speed vessel types and are supplied under the terms of a landmark contract with the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs.The simulator is first of its kind in enabling realistic vessel simulation at speeds exceeding 50 knots and integrates with an advanced eye-tracking system in addition to weapons capabilities.

Every few years I am handed a high-speed container transport proposal. Generally it consists of some type of high speed vessel design that would be able to move containers at high speed and thereby attract a new market by taking a chunk out of the air cargo market and the premium ocean market. Occasionally we are asked to look at the economics for potential investors, and it always falls short of being economically viable. While it is possible to move containers a little quicker over the ocean with faster vessels…

BMT has announced the signing of a contract for two new 43 meter (104’ x 37’’ x 12.5’) high-speed, passenger Fast Ferries for Kitsap Transit, with an option for a third to be added to this vessel fleet. The custom design project will once again see the UK’s leading engineering design consultancy partner with US shipyard Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and will join the Kitsap Fast Ferry service in Seattle once completed. The bow and side loading vessels will accommodate a maximum of 255 passengers on board with protected storage capacity for 26 bicycles.

BMT announced the signing of a contract for two new 43 metre (104’ x 37’’ x 12.5’) high-speed, passenger Fast Ferries for Kitsap Transit, with an option for a third to be added to this vessel fleet. The custom design project will once again see the UK engineering design consultancy partner with US shipyard Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and will join the Kitsap Fast Ferry service in Seattle once completed. John Bonafoux, Business Development Director for Commercial Shipping…

The advent of U.S. offshore wind also brings the need for the quality and quantity of built-for-purpose vessels needed to sustain its momentum.As the long-awaited advent of offshore wind finally arrives on this side of the big pond, one question which continues to dominate the conversation is where (and when) the fit-for-purpose tonnage necessary for this great leap forward will come from. Just as important, stakeholders need to have confidence in the availability of proven vessel concepts, as they continue to explore opportunities and justify investment decisions in the growing sector.First Out of the GateRhode Island-based shipyard Blount Boats, in June, announced that it had signed a sublicense agreement with Marine Applied Physics Corp.

Interceptors and Active Ride Control supplied by Humphree USA will help deliver a smooth and stable ride for the newest addition to the Seastreak ferry fleet.Seastreak Commodore, which was put into service this summer, is the biggest and fastest passenger ferry in the Seastreak fleet. The 150-foot catamaran can carry up to 600 passengers. The high-speed vessel makes daily commuter runs between Sandy Hook, N.J., and the East 35th Street terminal in New York City, with transit times of about 45 minutes.

In an era of increasingly complicated regulations and sophisticated technologies disrupting the workboat sector, one piece of the equipment – the Keel Cooler – remains as possibly the most important and at the same time, the simplest piece of hardware on the water. Likewise, much the same way as it was more than 70 years ago, Fernstrum remains the standard. For today’s workboat sector, the most pressing issue facing operators is arguably comprised of meeting and paying for the advent of so-called ‘Tier’ emissions standards. The American subset of 5,500 towboats additionally faces the subchapter M towboat rules and new requirements for hardware installation and physical construction. The one thing they shouldn’t have to worry about is engine cooling solutions.

The U.S. Navy’s next Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship will be named USNS Newport (T-EPF 12), announced Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. The new vessel, currently under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., is the fourth ship named in honor of the Rhode Island city which serves as home to several Navy activities, including Naval Station Newport and the Naval War College. USNS Newport is the 12th and final vessel in the EPF in the series, formerly known as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV).

GoM shipyards are meeting the demand for right-sized, multi-mission boats. In the last decade, Gulf Coast shipyards have watched demand for multi-mission vessels grow from foreign governments and U.S. authorities. In particular, local counties and municipalities – pinched by shrinking budgets and expanding mission sets – began the march to leverage a single hull for more than one task. And, since these boats can serve military or civilian needs, the need for boatbuilders to quickly adapt a standard hull form to a particular requirement became a highly desired skill set.

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

Sea trials have begun on two Falmouth based pilot vessels which will provide data for the Innovate UK funded MOVE (Monitoring for Operational Vessel Efficiency) project. Rising fuel costs, emissions regulation and concerns about carbon emissions are severe challenges for marine vessel operators and their supply chains. Under the ‘Managing Energy on Marine Vessels’ Competition, the MOVE project is developing a novel solution to all three, initially targeting the commercial workboat sector.