Safehull News

The loading and response dynamics of an Articulated Tug & Barge (ATB) load box are complex. They typically require advanced finite element analysis methods and procedures to design an efficient support structure to ensure a durable design and to facilitate meeting Class strength requirements. To study the dynamic response of the loads imparted on the tug from the barge, a finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out. Loading conditions that include the static sea pressure, gravity loads, and reaction forces from the ATB Coupler are incorporated into the FEA analysis.

Murray & Associates, LLC has been commissioned to deliver a comprehensive design package for an 185,000 BBL Chemical Tank Barge new construction project. The ABS SafeHull barge is an articulated tug and barge type utilizing an Intercon Model 50 coupler system. It has a length of 584 ft and a breadth of 78 ft. Murray & Associates has been engaged from concept to detailed design, encompassing structure, stability, piping and mechanical systems, arrangements drawings as well as 3D structure and pipe lofting.

Designed to deliver petroleum products on the U.S. West Coast, the vessel is designed with safer, more efficient fixed-tank cleaning system. Crowley Maritime Corporation's Vision/650-10, the last of 10 Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs) in the 650-series new-build program, has been delivered by V.T. Halter Marine in Pascougla, Miss. The ATB is now ready to enter service and will transport petroleum products between U.S. West Coast ports. The Vision/650-10, which has a capacity of 185,000 barrels, will be operated by Crowley's petroleum services group.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced the delivery of the final in a series of ten 185,000-barrel articulated tug barge (ATB) units built for Crowley Maritime Corporation’s subsidiary, Vessel Management Services, Inc. (Vessel Management Services). Since construction of the first unit in 2005, all ten 185,000-barrel barges have been built at VT Halter Marine’s Pascagoula Operations while the 9,700-hp tugs were built at its Moss Point Marine Operations.

Crowley Maritime Corporation christened the ninth in a series of 10 new 185,000 barrel ATBs at the VT Halter Marine shipyard in Pascagoula. The Innovation and barge 650-9 will be chartered to Chevron, to safely transport petroleum products throughout the Gulf of Mexico. During the ceremony, Joan Pennella, wife of Crowley Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Bill Pennella, christened the 10,728-horsepower tug Innovation; while Lynn Brewer, wife of Burl Brewer, Chevron operations scheduler, christened 650-9.

On March 26, Crowley Maritime Corporation christened the eighth of 10 new 185,000-barrel Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company will take delivery of by 2011. The vessels christened were the tug Achievement and barge 650-8. Sure to be no stranger to the Tampa waterfront, the vessel is scheduled to visit the port once a week as it carries petroleum products for Marathon Oil Corporation. The vessel joins other Crowley owned and or managed vessels - ATB Pride/650-7 and tankers Coast Range…

Crowley Maritime Corporation christened the seventh of 10 new 185,000-barrel Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company will take delivery of in 2010 and 2011. The vessels christened were the tug Pride and barge 650-7. During the ceremonies, which took place at the Port of New Orleans, Cruise terminal #2, Susan Rodgers, Crowley senior vice president of corporate services christened the 10,728 Hp-tug Pride, while Rita McKain, wife of Bradley McKain, manager, terminal, transport and marine for Marathon Petroleum Company, christened the barge 650-7.

On the wake of the christening and launching of its newest heavy-lift-series deck barge in Portland, Ore., Crowley took delivery of its newest Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) - the tug Commitment and barge 650-6 in Pascagoula, Miss, on April 2. The 185,000-barrel ATB, the 10th in Crowley's fleet, has been chartered by a major energy company to transport petroleum products on the U.S. West Coast beginning in April. In less than a week, Crowley is scheduled to receive the Nachik, a newly-designed Alaska shallow draft tug…

In a move designed to further strengthen its field survey staff, ABS has created a new divisional lead surveyor position in each of the classification society’s Divisional headquarters, serving the Americas, Europe and the Pacific region. Frank Drake, a 26- year-veteran of ABS, has been appointed ABS Americas Divisional Lead Surveyor. His vast field experience, combined with his most recent assignment to ABS Consulting’s SafeHull Condition Assessment Program or CAP, positions him to oversee and provide support to the more than 180 ABS field surveyors assigned to ports in the US, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America. Drake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and Technology from Mississippi State University.

For a half century, GTR Campbell has offered a turnkey ship creation service, applying a unique project-oriented philosophy that turns conflict of interest into mutual interest. New regulations may have changed a design's lifespan but not the series concept. Today, Antony Prince is internationally recognized as the President of GTR Campbell Marine Consultants and successor to the legacy of the company founder, famed naval architect George Campbell. But 10 years ago, Prince was just a man with a plan and some mighty big shoes to fill. Prince had been George Campbell's close friend and associate for over 20 years. In 1990, the aging Campbell turned the company over to his protégé, cautioning that, for a consultancy, reputation was not easily transferred from one man to another.

The ongoing collaboration between Napa Ltd and ABS has culminated in the recent release of a new version of SafeHull, called SafeHull Express. SafeHull Express is used for the design and assessment of ship structures in accordance with the ABS rules. The new and upcoming versions of ABS SafeHull Express are based on NAPA technology and functions, developed through cooperation between Napa Ltd and ABS Americas. The joining of forces has resulted in the integration of a complete initial strength assessment system into the shipyard production process. This is the first time such integration has been achieved. The fundamental benefit of integration is that a single 3D ship model can be used consistently in various system environments, which makes the design-to-production process one continuum.

ABS has named Todd Grove President of its ABS Americas Division effective May 1, 2004. He will replace Robert E. Kramek who, as previously announced, will assume the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of ABS at that time. Grove currently serves as Vice President Western Region, ABS Europe. In his new role he will be located at the Americas’ Division headquarters in Houston, Texas. He will have operational responsibility for all ABS classification activity in North, Central and South America.

Crowley Maritime's Vessel Management Services, Inc., will christen the first of four Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels this year in New Orleans on Thursday, April 25. The vessels to be christened are the 9,280-hp tug Sea Reliance and the 155,000-barrel barge 550-1. Intrepid Ship Management, a subsidiary of Marine Transport Lines, will charter the Halter Marine-built ATB from Vessel Management Services and operate it. Marine Transport is a Crowley subsidiary and part of its Contract services segment. "We are looking forward to christening and putting these exceptional new vessels into service for our customer," said Tom Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime.

Vessel Management Services, Inc., a Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary, on April 25 christened the first of four Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company will take delivery of this year. The vessels christened were the 9,280-hp tug Sea Reliance and 155,000-barrel barge 550-1. At ceremonies held on the Riverwalk at the New Orleans Hilton, Christine Sande Crowley, wife of Tom Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime, christened the Sea Reliance, and her mother, Linda Engle Sande, christened barge 550-1. Intrepid Ship Management, a subsidiary of Marine Transport Lines, will charter the Halter Marine-built ATB from Vessel Management Services and operate it. Marine Transport is a Crowley subsidiary and part of its contract services segment.

Dr. Donald Liu, executive vice president and chief technology officer, ABS, has been awarded the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Meritorious Public Service Award in recognition of his contributions to marine safety. Rear Admiral Paul Pluta presented the award to Liu on behalf of the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard at this year's Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. It is the second highest public recognition award given to a civilian by the organization. "Dr. Liu's outstanding leadership and dedication to marine safety and environmental protection are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard," said Pluta.

ABS has released an expanded Version 2.0 of the Hull Maintenance module of the ABS SafeShip lifecycle integrity management system. The system is applicable to all vessels designed to ABS SafeHull criteria and is provided free to owners as part of an enhanced classification service. and control the maintenance of the vessel's structure over its entire service life," said Rick Neilson, director, SafeShip Development. feedback from ship owners and operators. Neilson added. Further refinements to the Ship Product Model used within SafeShip now allow for improved definition of critical areas and condition tracking. in terms of tracking data and graphical representation within the program. identification and tracking of pits and their condition.

Halter Marine, Inc. (HMI), a division of Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. announced the christening of the first of two articulated tug-barges (ATB) for long-time customer-vessel management services, a Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary, and part of its Corporate Services segment. An ATB is built with an articulated pin connection system between the tug and barge that allows movement in the critical area of fore and aft pitch. Christened Sea Reliance, the 9,280 HP tug design is the result of a joint project between Halter Marine and Vessel Management Services. The latest environmental and safety advances, including double-sided construction, along with increased efficiencies in hose handling anchoring, mooring, discharge and loading product are incorporated into the design.

Scrutiny surrounding the carriage of cargo at sea, particularly on the quality of tonnage enlisted to transport potentially hazardous materials, is higher than ever. In the wake of high-profile disasters such as Erika, which left not only beaches and water but the reputation of many in the shipping industry soiled, leading companies usually step up. This is the case with the American Bureau of Shipping, one of the handful of highly regarded classification societies in the world. At the recent Posidonia exhibition, ABS introduced SafeShip, a program designed to apply advanced technology to reduce risk in the design, construction and maintenance of a new and safer generation of cost-efficient vessels.

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) awarded their highest honor, the David W. Taylor Medal for notable achievement in naval architecture or marine engineering, to recently retired ABS Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Donald Liu at the society’s Annual Banquet during the SNAME Marine Technology Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. vessels, and then extended that pioneering approach with the development of the innovative SafeHull system. SafeHull is a dynamic-based ship design evaluation system founded on engineering first principles. SafeHull has received widespread industry recognition as one of the most significant technical contributions toward enhanced ship safety…

Elliot Bay Design Group (EBDG) recently completed a contract design, including an extensive model basin testing program, for an articulated tug and barge (ATB) for Sause Bros., Ocean Towing of Coos Bay, Ore. ATB has been designed specifically for oceangoing service in the North pacific petroleum product trade. The unit also incorporates many features requested by Sause Bros. Elliot Bay's design calls for 135.5 ft.(41.3 m) tug combined with a 543.7 ft. (165.7 m) barge, connected by an Intercon coupler. The coupler provides a secure attachment between the tug and the barge, while allowing free motion about the pitch axis. Both the tug and the barge are designed to meet SOLAS requirements, and will be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping.

The SMM exhibition in Hamburg has once again proven that it is the cradle of marine technology and the grand-daddy of all marine exhibitions. On display in 12 separate halls were more than 1,300 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, launching new products and discussing business with an estimated 37,000 visitors. More telling that sheer numbers, in this case, is the feeling of the exhibition and the ubiquitous marine technology theme. The quality of attendee and exhibitor is always high, but this edition of the bi-annual exhibition seemed especially charged due to the many positives currently running throughout the full spectrum of the maritime market.

Crowley Maritime Corporation recently christened the third of ten new 185,000-barrel Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company will take delivery of by the end of 2010. The vessels christened were the 9,280 HP-tug Resolve and barge 650-3. During ceremonies held at the Mobile Convention Center on South Water Street, Nancy Schlueter, wife of Ed Schlueter, vice president of Crowley's Vessel Management Services (VMS) christened the Resolve, while Alison Haber-Djuve, wife of Karsten Djuve, regional chartering manager, BP Shipping USA, christened barge 650-3. Crowley's Petroleum Services group will charter the VT Halter Marine-built ATB from VMS, and operate it for BP under a seven-year agreement.

Maritime Corporation's Vessel Management Services subsidiary has signed a contract with VT Halter Marine Inc. and Dakota Creek Shipyards to build three articulated tug-barge (ATB), 330,000-barrel tank vessels, the largest in the company's history and the fastest in their class. The new vessels will be delivered in yearly intervals between the second half of 2011 and the first half of 2013. VT Halter Marine will construct the barges, which will have 78 percent more capacity than Crowley's 650-class vessels (185,000 - barrel capacity) in its shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. Dakota Creek will build the 16,320-horsepower tugs in its Anacortes, Wash., shipyard. Once received, the three new Jones Act ATBs (Legacy/750-1, Legend/750-2 and Liberty/750-3) will be operated in the U.S.