Apsi News

Maritime innovation never stops, and 2015 was certainly no exception, as a number of “world firsts” hit the high seas. In its December 2015 edition Maritime Reporter & Engineering News (http://digitalmagazines.marinelink.com/nwm/MaritimeReporter/201512/) presented its “Great Ships of 2015;” MarineLink.com takes the process one step further, and here confer the “Top Five Ships” of 2015. With a gross tonnage of 168,666, somewhat smaller than the world's largest Oasis class vessels, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Crowley Maritime Corp. today christened the first of four new Jones Act product tankers at the Tampa Cruise Terminal. The 50,000 dead-weight-tons (dwt), 330,000-barrel-capacity ship Ohio is the first tanker ever to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s (ABS) LNG-Ready Level 1 approval, meaning Crowley has the option to convert the tanker to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion in the future. More than 100 guests watched as Pamela Beall, president of MPLX, a Marathon Petroleum Corporation subsidiary, broke a ceremonial bottle of champagne across the hull to christen the vessel.

Thordon Bearings has signed a contract to supply COMPAC seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing solutions to two Jones Act containerships under construction at the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) for Matson Navigation Company, Inc. The order represents the first large containership reference for the manufacturer and the largest commercial ship propeller shafts to be fitted with COMPAC bearings, Thordon noted. The 3600TEU Aloha Class vessels, the largest Jones Act containerships ever built…

Matson, Inc., a U.S. carrier in the Pacific, announced that production has begun on its two new Aloha Class containerships following a steel cutting ceremony at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) in Pennsylvania. Matson subsidiary Matson Navigation Company, Inc. ordered the ships from APSI in 2013 for an aggregate price of $418 million, following on the delivery of four newly-built Jones Act containerships for Matson between 2003 and 2006. At 850 feet long and with 3,600 TEU capacity…

Crowley Maritime Corp. took delivery of Ohio, the first of four new, Jones Act, product tankers this week from Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA. The delivery is momentous not only for Crowley, but also for the industry because it signifies the first time a product tanker has been constructed with consideration for the future use of LNG for propulsion. The remaining three product tankers being built by APSI for Crowley are currently under construction and have planned deliveries through 2016. “We are excited to offer our customers cutting-edge technology available in these new tankers…

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA announced today that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), has entered into definitive agreements with a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) for the buy-out of APSI's interest in its joint venture with Crowley Maritime Corporation (Crowley) related to the operation and chartering of four 50,000 dwt product tankers. The transaction is based on an enterprise value of $150 million per vessel. The buy-out of APSI's interest in the APSI-Crowley joint venture with respect to each vessel will occur at its delivery from APSI. The deliveries of all four vessels are expected to occur from Q3 2015 to Q3 2016. APSI expects to recognize a pre-tax gain of approximately $10 million per vessel from the transaction.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA announces its plan to change its name to Philly Shipyard ASA, pending an upcoming shareholder vote at an extraordinary general meeting expected to take place in October 2015. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI) will likewise change its name to Philly Shipyard, Inc. "Changing our name to Philly Shipyard more accurately reflects the shipyard we have become in recent years," remarked Steinar Nerbovik, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard's President and CEO. "We have delivered on our promises and stand firmly on our own two feet as a company. The new name also represents the proud tradition of shipbuilding in Philly and the City with which we are so intimately linked," Steinar said.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA informed that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), has executed definitive documentation with PIDC Regional Center, LP XXXI for a secured term loan of up to USD 60 million. The loan has a five-year term and a fixed interest rate of 2.75% through maturity. The loan is secured by a lien on the company's interests in Hulls 021-024, which are the four product tankers to be included in the AKPS-Crowley joint venture. The company made its first draw under the facility on the closing date. The loan is made through the Welcome Fund (EB-5) loan program, a source of low-interest senior financing for large-scale, job-creating projects undertaken by strong governmental, corporate or institutional sponsors.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI) has delivered its second Aframax tanker to SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation’s U.S. marine affiliate. The 820 foot long, 115,000 deadweight ton tanker was delivered within the timeframe most recently reported by AKPS and will transport up to 800,000 barrels of Alaskan North Slope crude oil from Prince William Sound, Alaska to the U.S. West Coast. The vessel is equipped with double hull protection, the latest navigation and communications equipment, and an energy efficient engine. “Delivery of this vessel marks the conclusion of a successful project that has transformed our company for the better. We are proud of the Eagle Bay and are confident that she will serve the SeaRiver organization well over the decades to come.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the sole operating subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA, announced today that a new four year collective bargaining agreement has been ratified by the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council (PMTC). The PMTC is the exclusive bargaining representative for production and maintenance employees at APSI and consists of ten unions. Mike Giantomaso, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Vice President of Human Resources remarked, "We are pleased to have successfully ratified this agreement and are very proud to continue our partnership with the PMTC. This contract supports our company's vision of being the leading U.S.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA (Oslo: AKPS), celebrated two significant ship milestones this week. Today, the shipyard held a ceremonial Keel Laying for the second of four product tankers that it is building for its joint venture with Crowley. Early in the day yesterday, construction began on its fourth product tanker in the same series. At the Keel Laying ceremony, coins were placed on one of the keel blocks before the 580 ton unit, which will be part engine room of the completed ship, was lowered into place in the dry dock. This tradition dates back to early shipbuilding and signifies good fortune and safe travels.

The first of four Crowley Maritime Corp. product tankers was celebrated today in a keel laying ceremony held at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA. The 330,000-barrel, Jones Act tankers are being built through a joint venture between Crowley and Aker. Keeping with the long-held shipbuilding tradition, several coins were placed by representatives from Crowley, APSI and others on one of the keel blocks before the unit was lowered into place in the dry dock. The coins are a ceremonial sign of good fortune and safe travels.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA (AKPS) has released an update regarding an incident that occurred yesterday at its facility. According to Aker, numerous factually incorrect news reports have emerged, and this release was intended to clarify certain points. Aker reported that at approximately 6:50am, maintenance was being performed on the shipyard’s gantry crane when an electrical fault occurred. Following protocol, NAVSES and the Philadelphia Fire Department responded.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA (Oslo: AKPS), began production activities today on the first product tanker that it is building for its joint venture with Crowley. Crowley and APSI have signed contracts for the first four tankers, with a total contract value of approximately $500 million. A small ceremony with representatives from Crowley and APSI was held in the shipyard’s Fabrication Shop to commence cutting on the ship’s first steel plate. That plate will become part of the double hull of the tanker that protects the cargo tanks. When completed in 2015, the vessel will be 600 feet long and be capable of carrying 50,000 tons of crude oil or refined petroleum products.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI) has held a ceremonial keel laying for the second of two Aframax tankers that it is building for SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., a Exxon Mobil Corporation’s U.S. marine affiliate. When completed in 2014, the Liberty-Class vessels will be 820 feet long and be capable of carrying 115,000 tons of crude oil. The tankers are intended to be used to transport Alaskan North Slope crude oil from Prince William Sound to the U.S. West Coast. In keeping with long held shipbuilding tradition…

Matson Navigation Company, Inc., a U.S. carrier in the Pacific Ocean, announced an order today for two MAN B&W, 7S90ME-GI dual fuel engines with liquefied natural gas (LNG) capability to be installed aboard two new “Aloha Class” 3,600 TEU containerships ordered last week from with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI). The deal includes an option for three further vessels. The dual fuel engines, each developing 42,700 kW, are reportedly the largest ever ordered in terms of power output.

Earlier this week, Commissioner William P. Doyle met with Japanese public and private sector officials to discuss U.S. natural gas, exports, and the Panama Canal. Japan is the world's largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The country has relied on imported natural gas for decades as part of its energy portfolio. However, the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, disabled the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Subsequently Japan has increased its level of reliance on LNG imports. The U.S. may become an important LNG supply source for Japan in the coming years.

Matson Signs Contract With Aker Philadelphia Shipyard For Two New "Aloha Class" Containerships, First Ship To Be Named The Daniel K. Inouye. Matson, Inc., a U.S. carrier in the Pacific, announced today that its subsidiary, Matson Navigation Company, Inc., has signed a contract with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) to build two new 3,600 TEU containerships for an aggregate price of $418 million. The new vessels will be equipped with dual fuel engines that have liquefied natural gas (LNG) capability and are expected to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of 2018.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI) has welcomed Governor Corbett back for an update on the state of the shipyard and a tour to view progress on the current tankers APSI is building for SeaRiver Maritime. The last time Governor Corbett visited APSI was in September 2011 for the contract signing of the very same tanker program. Since Governor Corbett’s initial visit, the yard has reached its steady state employment of over 1,000 employees and has a backlog secured out Q3 2016, with two tankers for SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. underway and four product tankers for Crowley behind them.

Smaller boatyards carve out a profitable niche in this challenging, yet target rich maritime environment. For Kvichak and USMI; so far, so good. The May edition of MarineNews brought analysis of possible downstream consequences of the U.S. federal government’s ongoing austerity measures, especially where it could impact U.S. boatbuilders with backlogs tied to government funding. Susan Buchanan’s “Budget Battles Bumping Backlogs” piece brought out the good, bad and potentially ugly realities of the new normal in Washington, DC, where lawmakers tussle over spending priorities, while also leaving various casualties in their messy wake. The August announcement that the U.S.

Crowley Maritime Corporation announced today that it will continue to grow its fleet of petroleum vessels and enhance service to customers by contracting with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) to build up to eight product tankers for delivery between 2015 and the end of 2017. Construction contracts have been signed with APSI for the first four 330,000-barrel tankers with deliveries in 2015 and 2016. Additional agreements between the two parties include options for building…

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard holds ceremonial keel-laying for first Aframax Tanker for SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. The ceremonial keel-laying was for the first of two Aframax tankers that it is building for SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. (SeaRiver), Exxon Mobil Corporation’s U.S. marine affiliate. The construction of the two tankers, valued at $400 million, will create more than 1,000 jobs. When completed in 2014, the Liberty Class vessels will be 820 feet long and be capable of carrying 115,000 tons of crude oil.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard delivers its first Veteran-class MT-46 product tanker to Crowley Maritime Corp. This is the thirteenth product tanker that the shipyard has completed and the seventeenth vessel overall. The product tankers are 600 feet long and have a cargo capacity of 46,000 dwt. The ship is named the Pennsylvania and is the first vessel that AKPS has delivered to Crowley. As stated in AKPS’s release on 21 August, 2012, Crowley will also take delivery of the next product tanker, Hull 018, when it is completed in February 2013.