Marine News' 2024 US Shipbuilding Report
If nothing else, building vessels in the U.S. is a complicated business.In a session on the domestic shipbuilding marketplace, at Marine Moneyâs late-November 2023 conference held in New Orleans, Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards (with more than a dozen facilities, in Mississippi and Louisiana), described his companyâs architecture as a âthree-legged stool approach: commercial newbuilds, government newbuilds and repair/conversion capabilitiesâ.On the same panelâŚ
Conrad to Build Another US Navy Berthing Barge
U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has exercised an option with Conrad Shipyard to build another Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barge.The award is a $18,484,619 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for the detail design and construction and includes exercise of a design changes option.Work will be performed in Amelia, La., and is expected to be completed by June 2025. The new barge will be delivered to Norfolk, Va.The YRBM barge is an ABS A1 Accommodation Barge with a 151â-4â x 49â-4â x 14â footprint.
Insights: Blake Powell, JMS Naval Architects
Blake Powell, president at JMS Naval Architects, discusses his career, company and latest trends in naval architecture and marine engineering.Please give a brief professional bio, including education, experience and overview of current duties as president of JMS Naval Architects.I earned my degree in Naval Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley where I attended on a Navy ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as a Diving and Salvage Officer after I graduated.
Crounse Takes Delivery of New Towboat from Conrad
Paducah, Ky. headquartered Crounse Corporation announced it has taken delivery of a new 6,034-horsepower towboat built by Conrad Shipyard, based in Morgan City, La.The 166- by 48- by 12-foot Alice is named after the companyâs first vessel that began operating in 1949. Delivered with a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for Subchapter M compliance and two EPA Tier 4 compliant main engines, the newbuild is one of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly vesselsoperating on the United States' inland waterway system.Alice and powered by two General Electric (GE) diesel enginesâŚ
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2023
The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023âfrom a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one of the most important U.S.-built vessels delivered in recent memory.Built by Philly Shipyard for the U.S.
New 'Multi Cat' Workboats Delivered to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Houston-based dredging contractor Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation announced it has taken delivery of the Cape Hatteras and the Cape Canaveral, the two Damen 3013 Multi Cats built by Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, La.âThis is a milestone for our company and the U.S. dredging industry,â said Chris Gunsten, Great Lakesâ senior vice president of project services and fleet engineering. âThe Multi Cat brings step change safety improvements to Great Lakesâ dredge pipeline operations, which was a prime driver for the investment.
Conrad to Build New Spud Barge
Gulf Coast shipbuilder Conrad Shipyard was awarded a contract to build a new steel spud barge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.Conrad was the sole bidder for the contract, which was awarded by the Corps' Philadelphia district. Under the $9,106,800 firm-fixed-price award, Conrad will design, construct, test, and deliver the new barge.Work will be performed in Morgan City, La., with an estimated completion date of April 14, 2025.
Conrad Wins Deal to Build Four Ferries for Puerto Rico
Louisiana-based shipbuilder Conrad Shipyard on Tuesday announced it has secured a contract to build four cargo and passenger ferries for Puerto Rico.The contract from the Puerto Rico Maritime Transit Authority (PRMTA) will see Conrad deliver the first ferry to San Juan, Puerto Rico in late 2024.The ferries, designed to carry 300 passengers and 300 short tons of cargo, will operate between the Municipality of Ceiba and the Municipality Islands of Vieques and Culebra in Puerto Rico."TheseâŚ
Conrad Launches YRBM Vessel for the US Navy
On August 14, Conrad Shipyard launched the first Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barge under construction for the U.S. Navy ahead of scheduled delivery in the first quarter of 2024.Conrad is currently under contract to build five YRBM barges, which provide a temporary home and workplace for service men and women whose vessels are in port for repairs and maintenance.The YRBM barge is an ABS A1 Accommodation Barge with a 151â-4â x 49â-4â x 14â footprint. The vessel provides pier side living accommodations capable of berthing 199 mixed gender personnelâŚ
US Navy Orders Another YRBM Barge from Conrad
The U.S. Navy has exercised an option to order an additional Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barge from Morgan City, La. based Conrad Shipyard. Work will be performed in Amelia, La. and is expected to be completed by March 2025. The $18,293,952 firm-fixed-price modification follows a previously-awarded contract for the detail design and construction of up to eight YRBM barges.The YRBM barge is an ABS A1 Accommodation Barge with a 151â-4â x 49â-4â x 14â footprint. The vessel provides pier side living accommodations capable of berthing 199 mixed gender personnelâŚ
Shipbuilders Council of America Announces Safety Award Winners
The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry, announced its yearly member safety awards for 2023.âWorkforce health and safety is embedded into the fabric of our industry because the teams that work in our shipyards and throughout the industrial base are the most important asset we have in building and repairing the U.S. commercial and military fleets,â said Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America.
America's Sea Services Building Large Fleet of Small Ships and Craft
Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program officesâPMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliariesâŚ
OSV to be Converted for Human Space Flight Launches
Space tourism company Space Perspective is converting an offshore support vessel (OSV) to function as the worldâs first "marine spaceport". The Florida-based company in November 2022 announced it had acquired the 292-foot-long vessel from Edison Chouest Offshore as the first in its planned global fleet of converted spaceport vessels to support the mobile launch of its balloon-driven passenger spacecraft.The 2003-built Jones Act vessel C Challenger has been renamed Voyager and is currently being converted by Conrad Shipyard following preparatory work by Gulf Ship.
New Hybrid-electric Ferry Being Built for New York City
New York City is set to receive its first public hybrid-electric ferry, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday.The first-of-its-kind vesselâcurrently under construction at Conrad Shipyardâs facility in Morgan City, La.â will begin transporting passengers to Governors Island in summer of 2024. It will replace the diesel-powered Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, the Trust for Governors Islandâs current vehicle and passenger ferry, which was commissioned by the U.S. Army in 1956 and has beenâŚ
GLDD Preps for its New Hopper Dredge Galveston Island
With dredging business booming in the U.S., companies across the country invest in innovative new tonnage to get the job done more efficiently, effectively and safely. Chris Gunsten, SVP, Project Services & Fleet Engineering, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) and Patrick Webb, Senior Director Sales - Global Marine and Stationary, Wabtec discuss the tech inside the new Conrad-built trailing suction hopper dredge Galveston Island.Conrad Shipyard recently launched Galveston Island, the first of two newbuild hopper dredges being built for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation.
Conrad Launches Great Lakes' New Hopper Dredge
U.S. shipbuilding group Conrad Shipyard recently launched Galveston Island, the first of two newbuild hopper dredges being built for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, the United States' largest provider of dredging services. The new 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity trailing suction hopper dredge is in the water and is scheduled to be in operation the first half of 2023 as planned, Great Lakes said in an update on Monday.The dredge will be equipped with a direct high-power pump-ashore installation, dredging system automation, dynamic positioning and tracking, U.S.
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2022
The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted the most notable newbuilds delivered in 2022. From sturdy and nimble workboats, to the first new Jones Act laker in a generation, each vessel on display showcases the industryâs engineering prowess and technological ingenuity, with the focus on improving efficiency in operations. The maritime industry has no shortage of challenges to overcome, and each of Marine Newsâ top vessels will, in one way or another, aid efforts to tackle them.Mark W.
US Navy Orders Another Berthing Barge from Conrad
Conrad Shipyard has been awarded a $17,297,440 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously-awarded contract for the detail, design and construction of one additional Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) craft.YRBM barges provide a temporary home away from home and workplace for service men and women whose vessels are in port for repairs and/or maintenance. Conrad said its design incorporates functional spaces which allow the sailors to work, sleep and eat comfortably.Work will be performed in AmeliaâŚ
Conrad Delivers New Hopper Dredge to North Carolina
EJE Dredging Service, as part of a public/private partnership with Dare County, has taken delivery of a new shallow-draft hopper dredge on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.The newbuild Miss Katie departed from Conrad Shipyard in in Morgan City, La. on August 13, and arrived at its new home port in Wanchese on August 19.The dredge is the result of a yearslong collaboration between Dare County officials and Greenville, N.C.-based EJE Dredging Service, a private partner that owns and operates the 156-foot-long dredge.âWith the arrival of the Miss KatieâŚ
Ahead Sanitation Systems: Full Speed Ahead
Ahead Sanitation Systems, Inc. is fast becoming a leading manufacturer and distributor of marine sanitation systems, products and supplies after more than two decades serving the industry. Those looking can find an Ahead Tank somewhere across all seven seas and most major rivers and lakes in between.Winton I. Rebouche, Jr., known to friends and customers as Boo Boo, is the founder and sole owner of the Broussard, La.-based company. In the late â80s, Boo Boo worked selling pipeâŚ
ABS to Class Great Lakes' New Hopper Dredge
A second Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC (GLDD) trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD) is to be built to ABS Class at Conrad Shipyard.Able to dredge at depths of up to 100 feet, the 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity vessel is expected to deliver in the first quarter of 2025 and will be a sister ship to the Galveston Island, currently under construction at Conrad Shipyard to ABS Class, with delivery expected in early 2023.Steve Becker, Senior Vice President, Fleet Engineering at GLDD, said, âAs the leader in the U.S.
Conrad Shipyard Wins Safety Award
Conrad Shipyard, LLC, said it has been awarded a 2021 AEU Safety Award for the companyâs strong commitment to safety in the workplace.The American Equity Underwriters, Inc., the leading provider of workersâ compensation for waterfront employers, presents the AEU Safety Awards each year to its best performing members nationwide.âWe are proud to receive this prestigious award which honors Conradâs commitment to safety,â said Conradâs CEO, Johnny Conrad. âThis award is a testament to the dedication of our employees at every level to our safety program.âEligibility for the awards is based on the frequency and severity of workersâ compensation incidents for the prior calendar year, as well as safety-related metrics determined by AEUâs loss control team.
Great Lakes Exercises Option to Build Second Hopper Dredge
The United States' largest dredging contractor, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, announced Tuesday that it has exercised its option to build a second 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD) at Conrad Shipyard in Amelia, La.Expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2025, the new vessel will be a sister ship to the Galveston Island, presently under construction with delivery in early 2023.This newbuild is identical to the Galveston Island and will feature two 800mm suction pipes and will be able to dredge at depths of up to 100 feetâŚ