Class Manufacturing News

A new council aiming to improve the way U.S. government does business in ship acquisition and ship maintenance convened at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore on Thursday.In kicking off the inaugural meeting of the Government Shipbuilders Council (GSC), Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro underscored the council’s mission to address common and singular challenges among those that contract in shipbuilding; identify opportunities to leverage each organization’s resources to maximize government savings in costs…

A Belfast Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies has won a £33 million ($41 million) U.K. government innovation grant to develop zero emissions ferries in Northern Ireland’s capital. With further investment from consortium partners, the total project investment will reach close to £60 million ($74.6 million) over the next four years, creating an initial 125 research and development jobs, and leading to more than 1,000 in the region over the next 10 years.The 13 partner syndicate—which is a mix of established and young companies…

Further digitalization of established technologies such as condition monitoring and smart sensors could have a revolutionary effect on manufacturing, said Bernie van Leeuwen, Director Product Management Digitalization at SKF. Digitalization, most apparent in the consumer market, where music downloads, online shopping and on-demand TV are hailed as marvels of the digital age, is also having a huge effect on manufacturing. Sweden based SKF is at the forefront of using digitalization to improve its business in the service of its customers.

Wärtsilä received a significant order to supply the propulsion solutions for six new offshore pipe laying vessels being built by IHC Merwede. Three of the ships are to be built for Subsea 7, the seabed-to-surface engineering, construction, and services contractor to the offshore energy industry. The other three vessels have been ordered by Seabras Sapura, the Sapura Kencana and Seadrill partnership entity. All six vessels are scheduled to be delivered during the first half of 2015 and the second half of 2016.

EFC Group, a leading designer and manufacturer of instrumentation, monitoring, handling and control systems for the global oil and gas industry, has announced plans to recruit up to 50 people in the Highlands as part of its rapid expansion in the area. The recruitment drive follows an acceleration of EFC’s growth strategy in Forres, with the launch of a second base in Enterprise Park in May this year representing a £100,000 investment by the firm. A satellite office was previously opened in the same business park in September 2012.

The joint venture company, OneSubsea, is to manufacture and develop products, systems and services for the subsea oil and gas market. This new company intends to offer a step change in reservoir recovery for the subsea oil and gas industry through integration and optimization of the entire production system over the life of the field. The integration of the production system will be accomplished by combining superior reservoir knowledge and wellbore technologies, with industry leading subsea technologies, all together delivering enhanced productivity, reliability and integrity. Cameron and Schlumberger have 60/40 ownership of the joint venture, respectively, and the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Signal invests $40m in Orange, TX shipyard; Building ATBs currently for Kirby Ocean Tranporation Co. A ubiquitous presence in the Gulf of Mexico ship construction and repair market is Mobile, Ala.-based Signal International, a Marine and Fabrication company which employs about 1800 in its four production facilities across Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Signal specializes in new construction, ship repair, and rig repair. Signal can handle marine construction and repair needs with three dry docks…

Newly-formed Moss Hydro has been established to address a ballast water challenge that is threatening the entire shipping industry – reliable filtration. Stein Foss, the former CEO and co-founder of ballast water treatment (BWT) business OceanSaver, has set up the independent company with three partners, and an array of engineering, marketing and manufacturing experts. Together they are creating revolutionary filters designed specifically for ballast water treatment. “Our filters are unique,” comments Moss Hydro CEO Foss.

Burger Boat Company announced the signing of the contract to build a 150-ft. (46 meter) Tri-Deck, motor yacht dubbed. Time for Us. This is the largest, most comprehensive yacht design and construction project in the Company's 141-year history. John Munford of the UK., is the interior designer. Patton Marine has developed the comprehensive specifications and will provide project management. Vripack of the Netherlands is co-engineering the yacht along with the Burger Design Team who has developed the interior layout as well as the exterior styling. Time for Us will be ABS certified, fully MCA compliant and will be available to charter in various unique cruising areas of the world. Time for Us will have handicap accessibility featuring a four-level elevator.

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. announced today that it will close its National Crane boom-truck manufacturing facility in Waverly, NE and will move production to the company's facility in Shady Grove, PA. Both facilities were acquired when Manitowoc purchased Grove Worldwide last year. The closing is expected to take place by the end of 2003. The transfer of production will improve long-term utilization and productivity given the advanced systems already in place at Shady Grove. Proceeds from the sale of assets are expected to equal or slightly exceed the after-tax costs associated with the move. These costs will primarily be reflected as an adjustment to the purchase price of Grove Worldwide.