Automated Machinery News

Austal USA Advanced Technologies is working with the US Navy on technical solutions that will power the next-gen of navy assets. Don Hairston recently took the helm of the AAT team, and discusses how additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence are powering the future of naval asset design, construction and lifecycle maintenance.Don, what specifically attracted you to the position as GM of Austal USA Advanced Technologies?I liked Austal USA as an up-and-comer; it offers tremendous growth opportunities.

The U.S. Navy has awarded shipbuilder Austal USA a $44 million contract to establish the expeditionary fast transport USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) as an autonomous prototype.Austal USA, builder of the Spearhead-class EPF, will design, procure, implement and demonstrate EPF 13 as an autonomous platform. This award builds on Austal USA’s previous autonomous work for the U.S. Department of Defense.The enhancements will allow EPF 13 to operate autonomously while retaining the capability for manned operation.

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (Nichols Boats), located in Freeland, Wash., recently completed the M/V Nancy Peterkin, a 136’ x 44’ x 23’, 10,000 HP ATB Tug for Kirby Offshore Marine (Kirby), located in Houston, Texas. The Nancy Peterkin, built for Kirby Offshore Marine, was designed by Guarino & Cox using a round bridge hull form for optimum sea keeping and propulsive efficiency, the builder said. She is to couple into a 185,000 barrel barge built at Gunderson Marine in Portland, Oregon. This vessel will handle barges in full-ocean service.

Machinery plant maintenance represents a major expense for ship operators. In addition to normal maintenance expenditures, unexpected breakdowns have a significant cost impact. Recognizing the importance of preventing equipment failures, companies continue to adopt automation for machinery monitoring at a rapid pace. Continual improvements in the price/performance ratio of automation systems have also fueled their increased use in shipboard machinery plant monitoring. As a result, more ships with automated machinery plants exist today than ever before. However, just as a typical Internet search can easily create "information overload", so too can process automation create a "data overload" situation for the engineering crews responsible for equipment operation and maintenance.

Exxon Mobil Corp. announced that M/T Kestrel, a new double-hull very large crude oil carrier (VLCC), was delivered for leasing to a Trust established by Marcare Shipping Co., a joint shipping venture among subsidiaries of ExxonMobil, the Onassis Group and Petros J. Goulandris Sons Group. Kestrel, the second of two sister vessels to be leased to the Marcare Trust, will be chartered by International Marine Transportation Limited (IMT), a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation based in the UK. Kestrel's sister ship, the M/T Hawk, was delivered for leasing on August 25, 2000. The joint venture, in which all three partners hold an equal share, was formed in December 1998. Ulsan, Korea shipyard. The 307,000 dwt Kestrel is 1,100 x 190 x 206 ft.

Østensjø Rederi AS of Haugesund, Norway has received Ajax, one of the most powerful dedicated tanker escort tugs in the world, and the most powerful in Europe, for service on the west coast of Norway. Constructed by Astilleros Zamakona S.A. of Vizcaya/Bilbao, Spain, beginning in early 1999, the tug was built in accordance with DNV Regulations as an Escort Tug, with Fire-Fighter I and Oil Recovery certification, and also in full compliance with the National Regulations of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. Created by Robert Allan Ltd., the design of this powerful new tug incorporates a number of unique hull form developments which are the result of an extensive series of model tests and research by the firm over the past several years into the performance of escort tugs.

Østensjø Rederi AS of Haugesund, Norway has received Ajax, one of the most powerful dedicated tanker escort tugs in the world, and the most powerful in Europe, for service on the west coast of Norway. Constructed by Astilleros Zamakona S.A. of Vizcaya/Bilbao, Spain, beginning in early 1999, the tug was built in accordance with DNV Regulations as an Escort Tug, with Fire-Fighter I and Oil Recovery certification, and also in full compliance with the National Regulations of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. Created by Robert Allan Ltd., the design of this powerful new tug incorporates a number of unique hull form developments which are the result of an extensive series of model tests and research by the firm over the past several years into the performance of escort tugs.