Vt Systems Inc News

VT Halter in Pascagoula, MS has been on a strong run, capped by its winning the high-profile contract to build the U.S. Coast Guard’s next generation of icebreakers. Maritime Reporter recently spoke with Ron Baczkowski, President and CEO, VT Halter Marine, for insights on the shipyard’s recent success and future prospects. Globally, the shipbuilding industry has gone through some ‘interesting’ times of late. How has it looked from your perspective?The shipbuilding market and activity at VT Halter during the past 12 months has been dynamic.

The main engine has been set onto Crowley Maritime Corporation’s new vessel, El Coquí, the first of two new Commitment Class ConRo (combination container and Roll/On-Roll/Off) ships that will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for use in the ocean cargo trade between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico. “This state-of-the-art engine technology will add efficiency while continuing to reduce impacts on the environment, one of Crowley’s top priorities,” said John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico services.

Construction of the first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered, combination container – Roll-On/Roll-Off (ConRo) ships for Crowley Maritime Corporation’s liner services group reached another milestone, with the installation of three LNG fuel tanks. The double-walled, stainless steel tanks – which are 110 feet in length and 20.6 feet in diameter – weigh 225 metric tons and will hold more than enough LNG fuel for two round-trip voyages between the vessel’s future ports of call, Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Construction of the first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered, combination container – Roll-On/Roll-Off (ConRo) ships for Crowley Maritime Corporation’s liner services group is now 25 percent complete, the company announced. The two ships, which will be named El Coquí and Taíno, are currently under construction at VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc., a project that began in November 2013. The ceremonial first steel plate cutting was celebrated with a ceremony held at VT Halter the following year, in October 2014. “Week by week, we have watched the pair of Commitment Class ships begin to take shape,” said John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico/Caribbean liner services. “It’s been incredible to watch.

VT Halter Marine Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced its newest facility, a 12,000 MT Floating Drydock, is now open for business and already has its first customers. The dock, measuring 546 ft.. in length, 105 ft. in breath and with a depth of 46 ft., is part of an overall expansion plan at the south yard in Pascagoula. This is where VT Halter Marine is adding a repair facility for semi-submersible drilling rigs and Panamax-size ships.

VT Halter Marine Inc, a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc., announced the arrival of a 12,000 MT Floating Dry Dock transported by a heavy lift vessel from the Philippines. The dock dimensions are LOA- 546 FT x B 128.5 FT x D 46 FT. The dry dock is part of an overall expansion plan to the south yard in Pascagoula where VT Halter Marine is adding a repair facility for semi-submersible drilling rigs and Panamax-size ships. The addition of the Floating Dry Dock to VT Halter Marine will…

Next-generation remote powers high-bandwidth applications, unleashes the performance of high throughput satellites. VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems Inc. (VT Systems), has announced key performance statistics for the Evolution X7 remote, the first in a family of next-generation remotes that have been optimized to deliver best-in-class Adaptive TDMA throughput performance and operate with high throughput satellites. Built on an entirely new multi-core hardware system…

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), has announced  its partnership agreement with DCNS to submit a proposal to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the design and construction of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). VT Halter Marine will be the prime contractor and DCNS will be its exclusive subcontractor for the OPC platform design. USCG stated in its Request for Proposal for the OPC released on September 25, 2012, that it anticipates to acquire as many as 25 OPCs to replace an aging fleet of 28 Medium Endurance Cutters consisting of 14 Reliance class cutters (210ft/64m) built between 1964 and 1969…

New hub to support increasing demand from oil & gas customers in Africa & extend coverage to mega-yacht owners in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announce that SkyStream FZ LLZ, a Dubai-based satellite service provider, has purchased an iDirect Series 15100 Universal Satellite Hub to extend and enhance the availability of its coverage for luxury yacht owners. The hub will also help SkyStream meet the growing needs of its oil and gas customers who operate on multiple continents. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology. Through its new iDirect hub, SkyStream will offer Ku- and C-band coverage using different satellites.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE: HOS) has exercised the options for two additional Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV), valued at a total of US$89m with deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015. VT Halter Marine announced on 18 November last year that it had secured the contract to construct eight 319ft long Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) for about US$353m with options for up to 24 additional identical vessels. These vessels are constructed in its yards at Moss Point Marine and Halter Moss Point with deliveries of the first and eighth vessels planned for in October 2013 and September 2014 respectively.

iDirect brings its global satellite communications partners together to discuss industry trends and identify key opportunities and growth strategies. VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), will hold its second annual Global Partner Summit in Prague, Czech Republic from May 15-17. The event brings together iDirect's partners from around the world to network, examine industry trends, share insights about the future of satellite, and learn about key market developments. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology. This year's Global Partner Summit will build on the success of last year's event by bringing together more partners from around the world.

Pascagoula, Miss. – VT Halter Marine Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc. (VT Systems), announced that it has become a member of the IMAGE program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) provides businesses an opportunity to partner with the agency to develop a more secure and stable work force. Through its participation in the IMAGE program, VT Halter Marine establishes a formal partnership with law enforcement to follow best hiring practices, as the program suggests, and to implement staff training to comply with the high standards required by the program.

Marlink Upgrades Global Maritime VSAT Service With iDirect; Evolution product line increases efficiency and availability for Marlink customers. VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that Marlink, one of the largest maritime VSAT network operators, has upgraded its global service with the integration of iDirect's Evolution® X5 Satellite Router and latest operating software release, iDX 3.0. Vessels operating Marlink's WaveCall™ services have all received the required onboard equipment…

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced the delivery of Endurance, the second 8,000 hp Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) tug to Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. This is part of a contract that VT Halter Marine signed with OSG in April 2010 to complete two tugs over 16 months at the former’s Moss Point Marine shipyard. The first tug, Courageous, was delivered in June 23, 2011. Both Courageous and Endurance are capable…

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.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced a new contract to build a 112-ft ATB Offshore Tug for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. (Bouchard). This tug will be similar to others built for Bouchard in previous years by Halter Marine. Measuring 112 ft by 35 ft by 17 feet, the 4,000hp tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and it will be equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessel begins in June 2011 at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss., with delivery expected in September 2012. The vessel will enter into Bouchard’s fleet service in New York, N.Y.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced the appointment of Cliffe F. Laborde to its Board of Directors. Laborde is owner and co-manager of Laborde Marine Services, LLC and Laborde Brothers Crewboats, LLC. These companies own and operate platform supply vessels and crewboats that service the offshore energy sector. Laborde previously held the position of Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary to Tidewater, Inc. until June 2007. Prior to his appointment at Tidewater, Laborde was one of four founding partners of the firm Gelpi, Sullivan, Carroll & Laborde, where his practice primarily involved maritime defense litigation.

VT Halter Marine, Inc., a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced delivery of the second Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) for L&M Botruc Rental Inc. Construction of the vessel began in the second quarter of 2008. Like her sister ship, the completed PSV will carry supplies, deck cargo, and drilling fluids used to support offshore energy exploration and production. The vessel measures 230 ft in length, 56 ft in breadth, and 18 ft in depth. PSVs are highly automated and contain sophisticated control and monitoring systems. Each vessel is equipped with a DP-2 (Dynamic Position with redundancy) that provides precise maneuvering capability using a combination of thrusters equipped with controllable pitch propellers.

VT Halter Marine Inc., a company of VT Systems Inc (VT Systems), announced the appointment of William (Bill) E. Skinner as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Paul J. Albert as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Skinner, who has been with the company since inception, was appointed CEO on 21 April, 2009. Prior to this appointment Skinner was VT Halter Marine’s COO (2005- 2009) and Senior Vice President of Vessel Operations (2002-2005). Skinner had held senior positions in the shipbuilding industry including President of Friede Goldman Offshore Division of Friede Goldman Halter (1997-2002)…

VT Halter Marine announced the loss of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brigadier General Boyd E. King, (Ret.) who passed away unexpectedly on Monday, 20 April 2009 at the company’s Corporate Headquarters in . The cause of death reportedly was a heart attack. BG (Ret) Boyd King joined VT Halter Marine on December 16, 2002, as CEO. Before his appointment at VTHM, Mr. King was a retired Brigadier General with a 35-year career in the United States Army, culminating in his appointment as Director of Transportation, Energy and Troop Support on the Arm Staff.

VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc, announced that NewWave Broadband Ltd. has ordered $2m in satellite communications products to expand its maritime VSAT service and grow its land-based market. The contract includes the acquisition of multiple iDirect 15000 Series Universal Satellite Hubs, line cards and remote routers. NewWave plans to install iDirect hubs in the United States and northern Europe, expanding its network reach and capacity in an effort to meet rising demand as maritime companies turn from pay-per-use narrowband to flat-fee VSAT broadband. The network will utilize Ku-band satellite capacity from three transponders on Telesat's T11N.

VT iDirect, Inc., a company of VT Systems Inc, announced that Thrane & Thrane A/S has implemented the iDirect satellite communications platform to support its customers' growing need for high-speed connectivity at sea. Thrane & Thrane is a manufacturer of equipment and systems for global mobile communication based on satellite and radio technology. iDirect is a provider of satellite-based IP communications technology. Thrane & Thrane's newly launched Sailor 900 VSAT system provides a range of fixed broadband data packages, going up to 1024 kbps downlink/256 kbps uplink, and supports multiple voice channels at competitive rates. The system equips ship operators with always-on broadband connectivity to expand crew communications…

VT Halter Marine Inc (VT Halter Marine), a company of VT Systems Inc (VT Systems), signed a contract with Candies Shipbuilders, LLC (Candies Shipbuilders), on Nov. 5, to construct a 285’ Platform Supply Vessel for approximately $8.9m. (www.vthaltermarine.com)