Shipyard Services News

Peter Roney has been hired to join the executive management team supporting U.S. West Coast shipyards Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Everett Ship Repair.The news was announced by Shared Ice Services (SIS) is a subsidiary of Ice Cap Holding, the parent company of Ice Floe, dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) and Everett Ship Repair (ESR). SIS was recently established to support the operations of the two shipyards.NBBB is a newbuild and repair yard in Freeland, Wash., and ESR is a service and repair facility in Everett…

Marco Polo Marine announced it is venturing into "green" ship recycling at its  P.T. Marcopolo Shipyard in Batam, Indonesia.In addition to being awarded the permit by local authorities to conduct ship recycling activities, the group said it has become the first shipyard in Indonesia to be certified and awarded the ISO 30000:2009 certificate by ABS Quality Evaluations (QE). The ISO 30000 certification is recognized globally and often a prerequisite by shipowners as the shipping…

Surface plating is widely used to repair or salvage critical components in the marine industry. As many components need disassembly, the repair process is typically carried out when the ship is in dry dock. Due to the nature of the plating process, this work is usually performed by plating or machine shops off-site. In a quest to add value through reduced downtime and labor costs, many shipyards are looking to bring this service in-house. Mark Meyer, Sales Manager North America at SIFCO ASC…

Small shipyards in the U.S. are critical to the nation’s maritime operations and economic security. Typically family-owned and employing less than 1,200 workers, America’s small shipyards support more than 400,000 jobs, employ more than 100,000 Americans directly and contribute tens of billions in gross domestic product, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).In an effort to help support these vital assets, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program provides funds to help drive efficiency…

AXIS Pipeline Construction Group and ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore shipyard have partnered to service the subsea fabrication and installation market. This newly forged partnership, combined with more than 40 years of subsea fabrication and installation management experience, provides innovative capabilities currently unavailable to the subsea installation market, the companies said.Located in Pascagoula, Miss., ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore (STEHMO) is a provider of services for ships, drilling rigs and other marine vessels within the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. STEHMO provides dry docking, upgrades, repair, conversion…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $19.6 million in grants to support capital improvements at 28 U.S. small shipyards as a part of its Small Shipyard Grant program. The grants enable small shipyards to modernize equipment and processes to fuel future growth. “These grants help create jobs in America’s small shipyards, which play a significant role in our country’s maritime sector,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.In 2013, U.S. shipbuilders produced $37.3 billion in gross domestic product.

Lamor recently commissioned itsLSC 4C Side Collecting Oil Skimming System for Guam’s Oil Spill Response Operations Company (OSROCO) and T&T Marine Salvage (T&T) making it the largest skimming system in the region. OSROCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cabras Marine, and T&T operate the skimming system as well as an array of small crafts, and other specialized response equipment. OSROCO, Cabras and T&T employees are trained and certified in accordance with the U.S. Federal Government’s oil spill response and safety standards.

The Port of Bellingham is poised to change the layout of 7.66 acres of industrial property in Fairhaven and build new infrastructure to support the expansion of two major waterfront employers, All American Marine and Fairhaven Shipyard. “All American Marine and Fairhaven Shipyard provide over 150 family-wage jobs to our local community” said Port Commission President Dan Robbins. The Port worked closely with both tenants to develop a strategy for improvements which better supports existing operations and plans for future expansion. The entire site is impacted by historic industrial contamination and is scheduled for a major cleanup effort so any suggested changes required additional analysis to ensure compliance with state cleanup regulations.

Gibdock has officially opened its new ‘Pad 1’, a specialised area for land-based fabrication projects, to a busy workload. The 2,940m2 purpose-built pad offers an area of prime 12 tonnes per m2 load-bearing workspace to support the growing range of large and complex projects that are being attracted to the yard. “Pad 1 is a versatile facility with many applications”, says Gibdock Managing Director, Richard Beards. Gibdock provides the highest standard in shipyard services in one of the most strategic locations in Europe. Located in Gibraltar, between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and protected within a deepwater port, its capabilities include comprehensive repair, maintenance and conversion in three dry docks.

Oceanteam Shipping ASA says that it has secured, through its joint venture DOT Holdings AS, an interest in a new build Offshore Support Vessel, and as a result a 
partnership with Pacific Radiance Ltd., subject to certain conditions subsequent, has been established. Once full closure is reached the initial interest of DOT Holdings AS is 50%. The investment comes with an option to buy the remaining 50% after a period of 7 years against agreed terms. The commercial terms remain confidential. The project is fully financed upon closure of certain conditions subsequent. Closure of remaining conditions subsequent, are expected to be finalised in the coming month.

Drydocks World and Dubai Maritime City (DMC), the leading provider of services to the shipping, maritime, oil, gas & energy sector is supporting the "Green Economy for Sustainable Development" initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As part of this initiative, the company has entered into Memoranda of Understanding with Wartsila and Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence for building the world’s first LNG powered harbor tug. The project launched under the trade mark “Elemarateyah” is part of the Dubai Maritime Green Initiative, a strategic movement to encourage all-round environmental excellence in maritime and allied sectors including oil, gas and energy.

Drydocks World and Dubai Maritime City (DMC)  is supporting the "Green Economy for Sustainable Development" initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As part of this initiative, the company has entered into Memoranda of Understanding with Wartsila and Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence for building the world’s first LNG powered harbor tug. This project launched under the trade mark “Elemarateyah” is part of the Dubai Maritime Green Initiative…

Dutra Dredging Company, Calif. was awarded a $19,869,500 firm-fixed-price contract for dredging in the Thimble Shoal Federal Navigation Channel and the Cape Henry Federal Navigation Channel, Norfolk Virginia. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. Austal USA LLC, Mobile, Ala., was awarded an $8,247,342 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2301) on Nov. 27, 2013, to exercise an option for littoral combat ship (LCS) core class services. The company will assess engineering and production challenges as well as evaluate the cost and schedule risks from affordability efforts to reduce LCS acquisition and lifecycle costs. Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala. (60 percent), and Pittsfield, Mass.

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), a naval architecture and marine engineering firm with offices in Seattle and New Orleans recently acquired new talent for both of its locations, helping to grow the company's presence and expand on its core services –marine engineering, naval architecture, shipyard services and analysis. "We're pleased to welcome Joey, Michael, Luisa and Sam to EBDG," said President, Joe Pritting. Naval Architects Michael LaRose and Samuel Waterhouse hold Bachelor…

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. announce that their Bollinger Fourchon, L.L.C. facility has worked twelve years without a lost time accident. Building on a philosophy that starts at the top, Bollinger Shipyards say they strive for “0” accidents. Workforce, contractors, and customer safety is priority and an evident core component of facility operations. Through dedication of top management, a proactive workforce, and comprehensive safety program, Bollinger Shipyards continues to achieve high safety objectives. Ben Bordelon, Executive Vice President of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc.

While the global shipbuilding and repair market struggles in a tough economy, business is generally buoyant in the Middle East, with several new shipyards set to serve expanding offshore oil and gas transport operations. Maritime Reporter recently spent some time with Abu Bakar Bin Mohd Nor, CEO, Nakilat - Keppel Offshore and Marine Ltd., Ras Lafan, Qatar, to discuss the new shipyard’s approach to winning business in a tight environment. When you look at the expanse of your operations, what do you count as the primary strength of your company?

Bollinger Shipyards returns 95 percent of its 14 locations back to work following Hurricane Gustav's plowing through the heart of the based shipyard community. According to Bollinger’s website, all but two locations are back up and running, with several locations on generators with supervisory staff only. The corporate office, located in , is on generators and is coordinating the efforts of the 3000 member workforce. Bollinger is working with the local and state authorities to insure the safe return of their employees and shipyard services to the Oil and Gas community, said Robert Socha, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing. We are communicating with our employees over the web, via local radio, telephone and community interaction.

Carl-Gustaf (Calle) Rotkirch, a 32-year maritime industry veteran, has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Ltd., effective August 1, 2008. In this capacity, Rotkirch will oversee all operations of the shipyard, which is one of the largest cruise ship repair facilities in the world; Grand Bahama Shipyard services more than 100 cruise ships, cargo vessels, tankers, and naval vessels annually. Managing Director David Dalgleish will continue his day to day operation of the yard while reporting directly to Rotkirch.

Keppel Corporation Limited (KCL) will restructure Keppel Hitachi Zosen Limited (KHZ) under Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS), the rig building and repair arm of Keppel FELS Energy and Infrastructure (KFEI), to create a global leader in servicing the international marine and offshore market. KCL will transfer its entire 61% interest in KHZ to Keppel FELS immediately upon completion of the privatization of Keppel FELS Energy & Infrastructure Ltd (KFEI) in early to mid November this year. Shareholders of KFEI have given their approval for the delisting of the company on October 5. KCL Executive Director Choo Chiau Beng, said, ?The restructuring…

Ever once in a while a truly unique marine story comes along: one where a shipyard is giving back not to the community in which it is located, but to the world. Such is the case right now at Harrison Brothers Shipyard in Mobile, Ala. The company has donated dock space and shipyard services to the Caribbean Mercy, one of three vessels of the Mercy Ships fleet that bring desperately needed medical care to the poorest of the poor in Central America and Africa. The Caribbean Mercy is at Harrison Brothers for engine repair, restocking and other repairs. The 272-ft. vessel specializes in bringing the precious gift of sight to those who badly need it.