Aos News

With travel and tourism nearing pre-2020 levels, and transit systems benefiting from a return to work, passenger vessels have seen renewed activity. In its year-end review, John Groundwater, Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), which advocates for the sector in Washington, D.C. wrote: “As we are nearing the end of the calendar year, we are delighted to report that our industry, and our members, are reporting far and wide that they have experienced very…

WindServe Marine, a U.S. offshore wind support services company, has secured a loan from The Washington Trust Company, for the construction of three new 88-foot crew transfer vessels (CTV), recently commissioned by Ørsted, the largest offshore wind developer in the world. "Washington Trust was founded on the southwestern shoreline of Rhode Island and as a good corporate citizen, we are committed to protecting and preserving the local environment. Providing financing for alternative sources of energy that benefit this community aligns both with our business and sustainability benchmarks…

U.S. offshore wind developer Atlantic Shores, a 50:50 partnership between Shell and EDF, has executed a Pre-Commitment and Capacity Reservation Agreement (PCCRA) with EEW American Offshore Structures Inc. (EEW-AOS) to serve as the manufacturing company for monopiles on its 1.5 GW offshore wind project.Located approximately 10–20 miles off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Atlantic Shores Project 1 will generate electricity for more than 700,000 households.According to the wind farm developer, the project will bring $848 million in guaranteed local economic benefits to the state.

Orbcomm Inc., a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, has been awarded a multi-year contract by a U.S. government agency for a competitive renewal of its global Automatic Identification System (AIS) data services used for ship tracking and other maritime navigational and safety efforts. In addition, Orbcomm was awarded a separate competitive contract to deliver AIS services to multiple other U.S. government users.Orbcomm's AIS data will continue to be used in a maritime domain awareness software platform that supports key U.S.

American Offshore Services said it has hired Michael Romano as vessel superintendent focused on new building and operations as the Massachusetts-based crew transfer vessel owner/operator ramps up to support America's burgeoning offshore wind industry.Romano graduated summa cum laude from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2014. Since graduation, he has earned his Master Unlimited license sailing on a variety of vessels supporting offshore oil and gas. Romano has also gained vessel management experience in his previous marine operations role.Formed in 2020…

U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin…

The U.S. Navy announced it has accepted delivery of the lead ship of its new class of fleet replenishment oilers, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), built by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego.T-AO 205’s July 26 delivery follows the completion of Acceptance Trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey to test the readiness and capability of the craft and to validate requirements.“USNS John Lewis will provide much needed capability to the fleet as the primary fuel pipeline at sea,” said John Lighthammer, program manager, Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Office.

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) last Friday designated offshore wind vessels as vessels of national interest making them eligible for financial support through the Title XI Federal Ship Financing Program (Title XI). The Federal Ship Financing Program - commonly referred to as "Title XI" based on the part of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 that established the program - provides for a full faith and credit guarantee by the United States Government to promote the growth and modernization of the U.S. merchant marine and U.S.

Ørsted and Eversource have taken the final investment decision (FID) on the South Fork Wind project that will be New York’s first offshore wind farm. The FID comes after the South Fork Wind joint venture, owned 50/50 by Ørsted and Eversource, last month received final approval from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for its construction and operations plan, the final in the agency’s review of the project. Once completed at the end of 2023, the 130MW offshore wind farm will generate enough electricity to power 70…

Offshore wind developers Ørsted and Eversource announced Thursday that they have chosen two regional vessel operators that will partner with Rhode Island shipyards to build crew transfer vessels (CTV) to service their wind farm projects in the U.S. Northeast. The joint venture partners revealed plans to charter five new Jones-Act-compliant CTVs, including three from New York-based WindServe Marine and two from Massachusetts-based American Offshore Services (AOS).The purpose-built aluminum catamarans are designed to handle the unique offshore conditions at the wind farms…

Volvo Penta has secured a contract to provide quad IPS propulsion systems for the four new offshore wind farm crew transfer vessels (CTVs) that will be built at Blount Boats for American Offshore Services (AOS). The new 30-meter (99-ft.) twin-hull CTVs will be powered by four IPS900 propulsion drives, two in each hull. The fully integrated system will also include Volvo Penta’s GPS-based Dynamic Positioning System and integrated joystick controls, allowing for convenient and easy maneuverability even in conditions of strong currents and high waves.

According to a blog by Rear Admiral Randy Crites posted on the Navy Live, the official blog site of the U.S. Navy, the Department of the Navy Fiscal Year 20 Budget request submitted to Congress is $205.6 billion, a 4.8% increase from the FY19 enacted budget. Specifics of the budget are focused on six specific dimensions:The FY20 budget requests funding for more ships – as the navy continues to progress toward a 355-ship fleet – submarines, aircraft and people, and highlights include…

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fishing at sea is probably the most dangerous occupation in the world. To address this issue, a two-day regional seminar, "Joining forces in the fisheries sector: promoting safety, decent work and the fight against Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU)", has been held (21-22 March) in Manila, Philippines. International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Sandra Allnutt, Head of Marine Technology, delivered a presentation on IMO's work in promoting safety at sea. Mrs Allnutt also emphasized the longstanding cooperation between FAO and ILO through which safety recommendations have been developed and adopted on the design, construction, equipment, training and protection of fishing vessels.

As Congress wrestles with the budget, there is at least a bipartisan consensus that defense spending should grow, and that includes growing the Navy’s fleet. The current goal is 355 ships, an admirable goal, but an objective that faces many cost hurdles. The surface fleet (which excludes submarines and aircraft carriers) needs to grow in capability and capacity. The numbers of ships being procured or envisions would increase as the total n umber of ships increases, but the number in this story represents current program status.

Egypt's state grain buyer GASC said on Wednesday that it had bought 120,000 tonnes of wheat in a tender. GASC gave no more details. Traders had also estimated the total at 120,000 tonnes. The wheat was all of Russian origin and was purchased in two 60,000 tonne consignments, traders said. AOS sold one consignment at $223.50 a tonne c&f and Friends/El Wehda also sold one consignment at $223.50 a tonne c&f, the traders said. Both sales comprised wheat at $208.00 a tonne FOB with an additional freight (ocean shipping) charge of $15.50 a tonne.

A group of seafarers are stuck in the port of Durban, South Africa after their vessel was detained for non-payment of wages. The multinational crew working aboard tug/supply ship PSD2 had not been paid for as long as 15 months and were in need of food and fresh water. Two crew members were also in need of immediate medical attention while all of them desperately needed money to send home to their families. Seafarer’s charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) and chaplains from other organizations in Durban provided assistance to the ship’s crew.

Apostleship of Sea (AoS) port chaplain Reverend Roger Stone has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s List 2018 for services to the pastoral care of seafarers. Roger has served as port chaplain for the seafarers’ charity since June 2010 and has provided pastoral, spiritual and welfare support to hundreds of crew members who arrive on ships at ports along the South Coast of England. Roger says he is truly honoured and humbled to receive the British Empire Medal from Her Majesty The Queen. He said, “I am proud to work for the Apostleship of the Sea, the greatest and most effective maritime charity in the world. I am privileged to serve so many wonderful seafarers from so many countries around the world.

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered a Damen Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2610 workboat, named AOS SWIFT for the Atlantic Maritime Group on 20 August 2015. This is the first Damen Twin Axe vessel to be used in the Middle East for safe passenger and crew transfer as well as for the transport of industrial persons, materials and equipment to unmanned offshore platforms in the Strait of Hormuz. Within less than 3 months, and this includes the vessel’s transportation from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, Damen has customised, commissioned and delivered the stock vessel. Damen signed the contract with Atlantic Maritime Group, in the United Arab Emirates, on 1 June 2015. The vessel is going to be chartered to a Norwegian oil and gas company  for its platform operations Offshore Oman.

Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has launched a maritime emergency fund which aims to provide fast and modest cash grants to seafarers in difficulties. The dedicated fund is designed to respond to emergency financial or welfare requests from seafarers or their families in less than 24 hours, taking the immediate pressure off stressful situations. “Most seafarers and fishermen enjoy good living and working conditions but there can be circumstances when crew are not paid, cannot access communications to speak to family and loved ones and even lack food, water and heating,” AoS Great Britain National Director Martin Foley said during the launch of the fund on board the HQS Wellington in London on June 19.

Pope Francis has affirmed seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea’s (AoS’) ministry with peoples of the sea in his address in the Vatican, as churches around the world celebrated Sea Sunday. In his address on July 13 in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said, “Today we celebrate Sea Sunday. I turn my thoughts to seafarers, fishermen and their families. The Pontiff added, “I call on the chaplains and volunteers of the Apostleship of the Sea to continue with their commitment to the pastoral care of these brothers and sisters.

Jack-Up Barge has recently placed an order with Malaysian-based Asian Offshore Services (AOS) for additional Zone 2 blast-rated Temporary Living Quarters (TLQs). Ronald Schukking, Technical and New Building Director at Jack-Up Barge, said of the order, “Our fleet is used for a variety of purposes by contractors and operators from all corners of the offshore sector. We notice an increasing demand for offshore accommodation and have responded accordingly with a significant increase in high quality TLQs.

Seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has paid tribute to its women port chaplains and ship visiting volunteers ahead of International Women’s Day 2014. AoS says women have and will continue to play a significant role within the organisation. It currently has women port chaplains in East Anglia, Plymouth and Hull, as well as many women ship visiting volunteers up and down the country. Their energy and fantastic work in helping meet seafarers’ practical and spiritual needs are an inspiration to many. AoS National Director Martin Foley said; “On this International Women’s Day we give thanks for the work of our female lay chaplains and ship visitors. One ship visitor is Ruth Watt, who quietly goes about her ministry in Fraserburgh and Peterhead ports in Scotland.

The dangers of shipping and fishing should not be underestimated, said seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea, following the collision of a car carrier and a fishing boat in Spanish waters. Media have reported that three crew are confirmed dead after the Baltic Breeze, a Singapore-flagged car carrier, collided with a fishing boat near the Spanish port of Vigo in the early morning of Tuesday, April 1. The Baltic Breeze and its crew are well known to the Apostleship of the Sea from its calls at various ports including Bristol…