Culebra News

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Conrad Shipyard on Tuesday announced it has secured a contract to build four cargo and passenger ferries for Puerto Rico.The contract from the Puerto Rico Maritime Transit Authority (PRMTA) will see Conrad deliver the first ferry to San Juan, Puerto Rico in late 2024.The ferries, designed to carry 300 passengers and 300 short tons of cargo, will operate between the Municipality of Ceiba and the Municipality Islands of Vieques and Culebra in Puerto Rico."These…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $39 million in grants to 12 marine highway projects across the Nation under the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The funding will help expand marine highway services on the United States’ navigable waterways to reduce congestion, alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, and move goods more quickly from ships to shelves.“At a time of record demand for goods, it’s more important than ever to…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the immediate designation of four new Marine Highway Projects as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). Projects in North Carolina, Alaska, and Puerto Rico will receive these designations. They can now apply for record levels of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address supply chain challenges.A Marine Highway Project is a planned service, or expansion of an existing service, on a designated Marine Highway Route.

A U.S.-flagged tug and deck barge reportedly struck a pier and grounded while conducting docking maneuvers at the Ensenada Honda auxiliary cargo dock in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday.The tugboat Don Jaime and barge Marilin H have been refloated, and there are no reports of injuries, oil discharge or sheening in the surrounding waters, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, whose inspectors are on scene to investigate the marine casualty incident.“We are looking to identify…

The Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) has taken delivery of a new patrol boat from Louisiana-based boatbuilder Metal Shark. The new 35-foot Defiant welded aluminum pilothouse patrol vessel, built at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette, La. production facility, joins the fleet of 36-foot Metal Shark Fearless-class high performance center console patrol boats delivered to the PRPD a year ago. The PRPD’s new patrol boat features a fully-enclosed, climate-controlled pilothouse for all weather operation, outfitted with Shockwave shock-mitigating seating for a crew of four, the builder said.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced  that the Panama Canal Expansion will be officially inaugurated on Sunday, June 26, 2016. The announcement was made this morning during the inauguration ceremony of the Canal’s state-of-the-art Scale Model Maneuvering Training Facility, which will provide additional hands-on experience to pilots and tugboat captains to operate in the Expanded Panama Canal. The President of Panama, Juan Carlos Verela, was in attendance at the inauguration ceremony…

The Panama Canal Expansion Program’s electro-mechanical installation phase has begun with the installation of the first steel rolling gate at the Atlantic side. "This year, the Expansion Program completed several milestones towards the completion of the project," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. "I am proud of the progress we have made on this project and the uninterrupted service we have provided to global shipping for 100 years. With the arrival of the last…

In another major milestone for the Panama Canal Expansion Program, the electromechanical installation phase, one of the most important of the project, has begun with the installation of the first steel rolling gate at the Atlantic side. “This year, the Expansion Program completed several milestones towards the completion of the project,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. “I am proud of the progress we have made on this project and the uninterrupted service we have provided to global shipping for 100 years. With the arrival of the last four of the 16 rolling gates for the new locks in November and the transfer of the eight gates for the Pacific-side locks through the waterway, all electro-mechanical components are ready to be installed.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will charter a Post-Panamax vessel before the opening of the expanded Canal to be used for training purposes in the Third Set of Locks. The Executive Vice President of Operations Esteban Saenz reported that the Panama Canal will charter a Post-Panamax ship to train pilots and tugboat captains that will assist in transits through the new lane. Saenz said the vessel will be used several months before the opening of the expanded Canal to test the new locks. "This is one of the best ways to train our pilots and tug captains in the joint effort required to transit through the two new lock complexes of the expanded Canal," said Saenz. He added that since 2011 the Panama Canal has promoted workforce training for the operation of the expanded waterway.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) will charter a Post-Panamax vessel before the opening of the expanded Canal to be used for training purposes in the Third Set of Locks. The Executive Vice President of Operations Esteban Saenz reported that the Panama Canal will charter a Post-Panamax ship to train pilots and tugboat captains that will assist in transits through the new lane. Saenz said the vessel will be used several months before the opening of the expanded Canal to test the new locks. "This is one of the best ways to train our pilots and tug captains in the joint effort required to transit through the two new lock complexes of the expanded Canal," said Saenz. He added that since 2011 the Panama Canal has promoted workforce training for the operation of the expanded waterway.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) informs it will charter a Post-Panamax vessel before the opening of the expanded Canal to be used for training pilots and tugboat captains in the Third Set of Locks. The Executive Vice President of Operations Esteban Saenz said the vessel will be used several months before the opening of the expanded Canal to test the new locks. "This is one of the best ways to train our pilots and tug captains in the joint effort required to transit through the two new lock complexes of the expanded Canal," said Saenz. He added that since 2011 the Panama Canal has promoted workforce training for the operation of the expanded waterway.

The Panama Canal Authority has reported that the expansion of the waterway is 74.2% complete. The news released yesterday, April 24, came on the second day of a construction workers' union strike, GAC said in its daily Hot Port News report. As of March 31, dredging of the Pacific and Atlantic entrances had been completed, and work to widen Gatun Lake and the Culebra cut was 86% complete. Design and construction of the third set of locks, the most important part of the expansion program, recorded an advance of 68%. gac.com

Counsel to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission informs that  Commissioner William P. Doyle has recently surveyed the construction site on a visit to the Pacific-side of the expanded Panama Canal. Doyle viewed construction sites on the Pacific side and received extensive updates on several of the projects-- including the Third Set of Locks – Water Saving Basins;  Rolling Gates; Excavation of the Navigation Channels; Dredging; Gatun Lake and Culebra Cut; and Raising Gatun Lake's Maximum Operating Level.

Coast Guard establishes a Safety Zone Regulation from 9a.m. to 12p.m. April 13, 2014 in Flamenco Bay, during the underwater detonation of a World War II explosive in Culebra, Puerto Rico. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone Regulation surrounding the waters of Flamenco Bay in Culebra, Puerto Rico from 9a.m. to 12p.m. Sunday in anticipation of the underwater detonation of a War World II explosive. Persons and vessels are prohibited from transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the Safety Zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan. The Safety Zone is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels, and the public on the navigable waters. A U.S. Navy specialized team will carryout preparations for the detonation.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has completed the dredging to deepen and widen the navigational channels along Culebra Cut as part of the Expansion Program. This marks another important milestone for the Panama Canal expansion. The dredging works started in March 2008, with the drilling by Panama Canal personnel on board of the drill barge Baru. “This important achievement fills with pride each man and woman that works within the organization,” Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano said.

Conrad Industries, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: CNRD.PK) announced the delivery of an aluminum passenger vessel for Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority (PRMTA). The Cayo Blanco can carry 600 passengers on two decks. She measures 160 ft x 32 ft x 13 ft and the vessel route is from Fajardo to Vieques and Culebra in Puerto Rico. She is powered by four MTU 12V-4000 M60 main engines with MGX 6848 Twin Disc gears. The generators are John Deere and there is a 200 hp tunnel bow thruster. The delivery crew traveled from Morgan City to San Juan in five days and the vessel performed excellently.

Conscious of its responsibility to safeguard its waterway, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has determined that effective December 31, 2012, single hull (single side/single bottom, single side/double bottom, or double side/single bottom) oil tankers of 600 tons deadweight and over but below 5,000 tons deadweight will no longer be allowed to transit the Panama Canal if loaded with oil (as defined in MARPOL, Annex I). In the meantime, when aforementioned tankers arrive for transit loaded with oil, they will be assigned extraordinary tug assistance at all locks and through Culebra Cut at the vessel’s expense. Category 2 and 3 oil tankers with extensions granted in accordance with regulations 20.5 and 20.7 of MARPOL…

Panama Canal Completes Major Step in Expansion Program. In another important milestone of its Expansion Program, the Panama Canal Authority announced the completion of phase three of the dry excavation project in the construction of the Pacific Access Channel (PAC). The Pacific Access Channel will connect the third set of locks with the Culebra Cut and Gatun Lake. The third phase of the PAC – costing $36.6 million including design, contractors and management – consisted of excavating 8.2 million cubic meters of materials…

Panama President and Canal Authorities Commemorate New Milestone in Canal Expansion Work. Panama President Ricardo Martinelli witnessed a new milestone at the Canal Expansion with the filling of a segment of the new access channel that will allow the transit of Post-panamax vessels between the new Locks and the Culebra Cut. Panama Canal Authority Board of Directors Chairman and Canal Affairs Minister Rómulo Roux and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Alberto Alemán Zubieta accompanied…

The Panama Canal commemorates 100 years of dredging Culebra Cut, removing the last barrier during its construction for the free movement of vessels along the 80-kilometer waterway. Following the calendar of activities in the countdown to the centennial, the Panama Canal highlighted the significant role played by dredging to ensure the safe navigation through the waterway, even before its opening 100 years ago. "Dredging is key to ensure the safe and efficient navigation through the Panama Canal on its nearly 100 years of operation," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L.

On the countdown to its centennial in 2014, the Panama Canal celebrates 14 years under Panamanian administration, characterized by its enhanced service to world maritime trade. "The Panama Canal has strengthened its role in international trade, while contributing to the country’s development,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano. The Panamanian management model has enabled the efficient and safe operation of the Canal, allowing it to offer a world-class service. Under Panamanian administration…

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $42m in grants to improve ferry service and build new docks and facilities in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Congress authorized the Federal Highway Administration’s Ferry Boat Program was created to fund ferry boat projects that provide critical access to areas that lack other means of transportation where high passenger demand already exists. Program funds can be used for capital improvements to existing ferry operations which could increase the number of riders, relieve congestion or address environmental or significant operational concerns. The projects include funding…

Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority (PRMTA) deployed the 300 passenger / 300 ton cargo vessel, M/V Cayo Largo to Barahona, Dominican Republic to assist in the humanitarian effort for Haiti. The vessel, which was designed and built by Blount Boats, Inc. of Warren, R.I., has been in service between the port of Fajardo on the east coast of Puerto Rico and the islands of Culebra and Vieques since her delivery in 2008. The vessel has an overall length of 162 ft, a beam of 46 ft, and draws less than eight ft of water loaded.