Docking Services News

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) floating dry dock Dynamic (AFDL 6) docked a dive support boat for the first time in it's long history. This was the first time Dynamic has every docked a round-bottom vessel.For the first time, the Navy’s oldest floating dry-dock, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) Dynamic (AFDL 6), successfully docked a dive support boat, April 15.Dive Support Boat 1103, attached to the MARMC’s Dive Locker, will undergo emergent repairs. Boat 1103 is one of four dive boats in the Dive Locker’s fleet, which is vital to dive operations.

VIKING has acquired Drew Marine’s Fire Safety and Rescue (FSR) division.VIKING increases its global volume, reach and technical competencies for marine firefighting equipment services (MFS).At the moment, Drew Marine FSR provides services in more than 150 ports across 45 countries. The division offers a complete range of FSR services, specializing in solutions for fixed-firefighting foam, fixed-extinguishing and dry-powder systems – along with calibration solutions for gas detection, medical oxygen, and dry-docking services.

Europe's largest multimodal transport group by freight volume Samskip said it is fully prepared for a North Sea container traffic surge, as attitudes harden in the run up to October's revised Brexit deadline.The global logistics company offering transport and related services by land, sea, rail and air said in a release that UK exporters and importers to start switching away from trailers and towards containerisation very soon, repeating a trend established in the run-up to the original deadline for Brexit.“We saw a significant push in container volumes up to March 2019, especially into Hull, as decision-makers facing uncertainity opted for the reliability and proven procedures of container shipping,” says David Besseling, Samskip UK Trade Manager.

Following five weeks of repair and installation activities, Seaspan’s Vancouver Drydock (VDC) has completed its refit activities on Louis Dreyfus’ Ile de Batz Special Purpose/Cable Layer vessel. Arriving on April 21 and departing VDC on-schedule on May 25, 2017, the Paris, France-based vessel underwent a wide scope of work that included the assembly of a new plow (special insitu welding/machining), overall support for mobilizing the ship, as well as the primary focus of the refit program, the installation of a Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) system – the first of its kind at VDC. “This innovative repair and maintenance project truly was an all-hands-on-deck job…

A new tug  built by Signet Shipbuilding and Repair was delivered to E.N. Bisso & Son Inc. in mid-December. The vessel, Gladys B, is Robert Allan Ltd.’s newest RApport 2400 class tugboat design. “She is named for the wife of the founder of the company in 1946, Captain Edwin Napoleon Bisso. This powerful steel titan will serve her owner well. Built in America, built by Americans and built for progress. She will soon be known in Louisiana as the Maserati of the River,” said Signet President, J. Barry Snyder.

Press Release: Crowley Marine Services will not be providing oil spill prevention and response services in Valdez and Prince William Sound when its contract expires June 30, 2018. Crowley has provided marine services in Prince William Sound since 1990. Despite bidding aggressively for the SERVS contract extension, Crowley was not chosen by Alyeska to retain the entire scope of the current contract. Crowley is fully committed to continued professional service and full compliance as the marine service provider until the end of June 2018, and will be engaged in any transition process.

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s tanker escort and docking services group in Valdez is celebrating over seven million man hours and more than six years since logging its last Lost Time Injury (LTI). In addition to this remarkable number, the company announced that it had not had an OSHA recordable case in over two million man hours while performing tanker assist and escort work for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. In 2015, the company logged over one million man hours while safely escorting 236 tankers through Prince William Sound…

“Early in 1864, a young man names James McAllister stood on board a sailing vessel where he served as a mate. The opening lines from the first chapter of the new book, McAllister Towing – 150 Years of Family Business, begin a voyage through the history of a tugboat and marine transportation firm that runs five generations deep, taking readers on a journey of deepsea adventure, family tragedy and company triumph. The book includes never-before published material and photographs illuminating how Americans lived and worked in the maritime industry over the last century and a half…

Africa-focused proprietary investment firm L.A.T Cleveson (LATC) has signed an order with Damen Shipyards Group for the supply of two PSV 3300 Platform Supply Vessels and two FCS 5009 Fast Supplier Vessels. This transaction will bring next generation Damen PSVs to the offshore industry of Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea for the first time. The purchase is being made by LATC Marine Ltd, a subsidiary of L.A.T Cleveson, which has quickly established a positive reputation by providing…

SYM announced it has reorganized its technical services in three lines: Technical Services, Wet Docking Services and Electrical and Electronic Maintenance. Technical Services, which includes through SYM Engineering Technical Office ship design, naval architecture and marine projects, surveys and certification, now incorporates load test by water bags for cranes, davit, derricks or life boats and ultrasonic thickness measurement by means of multi-echo equipment. Wet Docking Services groups management of afloat and emergency repairs, inspection and underwater surveys (IACS approved) to steel repairs, mechanical and electrical jobs or maintenance, with outfitting piers and workshops in Barcelona and Dominican Republic.

ABB has signed an extensive service agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCC) to increase cost efficiency and predictability of maintenance costs. The agreement spans 15 years and encompasses six vessels under RCC’s brands Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. The financial value of the service agreement is in excess of $50 million. The agreement covers four Solstice and two Oasis class vessels and includes an option to extend the agreement to additional existing vessels, vessels that are currently under construction and future newbuilds.

ABS Group provides a range of technical solutions to support safe, reliable and high-performance assets and operations in a variety of asset-intensive industries, including the marine sector. With more than 2,400 professionals in over 30 countries, ABS Group delivers solutions all around the world. The mission of ABS is to serve the public interest as well as the needs of clients by promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment. As a full-service provider to the entire towing vessel industry…

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s petroleum distribution group in Alaska says it has been recognized by Shell Oil Products US as the 2013 Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) wholesaler of the year. As Shell’s sole wholesale distributor in Alaska, Crowley faces unique challenges including remote locations, harsh environments, a diverse product and customer base, limited supply options and large fluctuations in seasonal demand. The company currently services 17 Shell-branded retail stations, three of which are owned and operated by Crowley.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has developed a new innovative product, the Quick Docking/Fuel Saving package. This offers owners a fast and low-cost additional docking with the sole aim of reducing fuel consumption in between the five-year statutory survey period. The first vessel booked under the new concept has docked at Damen Shiprepair Brest (France). It is the capesize bulker Castillo De Catoira operated by Spanish company Empresa Naviera Elcano. Damen expects to bring more of its vessels to its shiprepair yards.

Rolls-Royce announced that the largest capacity Syncrolift shiplift to be built in Vietnam is now officially open for service. The Syncrolift has been installed as an element of a new shipbuilding and ship repair development at New Song Thu shipyard. Rolls-Royce designed and supplied the Syncrolift, which acts like a large elevator that raises and lowers vessels in and out of the water for dry-docking ashore. It has a docking platform 98 meters long with a width of 20 meters, and a maximum net lifting capacity of more than 4,500 metric tons. This is the eighth to be installed in Vietnam.

The Wilson Sons Group is set to inaugurate the second Wilson Sons Shipyards unit in Guarujá (Brazil) next Thursday, April 18th. As a result of a $60 million (USD) investment, the shipyard, which builds tugboats and offshore support vessels, is expected to double its production capacity and employ 600 workers at its peak. The shipyard, which has been named Guarujá II, is equipped with a dry dock which is 26 meters in width and 135 meters in length. These dimensions will allow for the construction of a wide range of larger vessels with higher specifications, amongst which are PSVS (oil platform supply), AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply), PLSVS (Pipelaying and Submarine Cable Supply Vessels), ROVSV (Remotely Operated Vehicle Supply Vessels) and ORSV (Oil Recovery Supply Vessel).

Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) introduced the "States Prevention of Oil Tanker Spills Act" (S. 2506), which seeks to reinstate Washington state oil tanker safety laws overturned by the Supreme Court in Intertanko v. Locke and United States v. Locke. In a press release, Senator Gorton said, "I disagree with the Court's decision, because I believe Washington State should be allowed to protect its shores as it sees fit." The Gorton legislation would reinstate the right of all states to adopt additional standards beyond existing federal requirements governing the operation, maintenance, equipment, personnel and manning of oil tankers. While the legislation would apply to all coastal states, Gorton's interest is focused on recently overturned Washington statutes.

Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio Provides Dry Docking Services to Erie’s Flagship, the US Brig NIAGARA. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Historical and Museum Commission had Erie’s Flagship, the US Brig NIAGARA, delivered to Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio this week. In 1992, Great Lakes Shipyard installed auxiliary engines in the Brig and since then has been contracted to conduct the NIAGARA’s routine inspections in compliance with federal regulations, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the American Bureau of Shipping.

It was the late 1970s and El Paso Energy ran a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal known as Cove Point in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay — midway between the East Coast ports of Baltimore, Md. and Hampton Roads, Va. As the demand for gas waned, the terminal ceased operations after only two years, and it sat dormant for nearly two decades. Today the market for LNG is rising fast, with positive ripple effects being felt across the maritime niche. Two tug companies — McAllister Towing and Moran Towing, were tapped to help bring the terminal back to life, winning the contract to dock some of the world's most expensive ships. Ensuring that the job is done correctly has required a significant investment in boats and training. — By Regina P.

Crowley's Ocean Rangers Have Protected Alaska's Environment Since 2008. The State of Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has announced that it has awarded a contract to Crowley Maritime Corporation to continue administering the State of Alaska's Ocean Ranger Program, effective November 2011. The contract directs Crowley to recruit, hire, train and organize the logistics of placing Ocean Rangers on board cruise ships each season to act as independent observers and to assure compliance with federal and state environmental health, sanitation and safety requirements.

Bay-Houston Towing Co. has taken delivery of the first of their innovative Z-Tech 7500 tugs. The Z-Tech 7500 design is the largest of the Robert Allan line of Z-Tech tugboats. The WESLEY A was delivered to Bay-Houston on Dec. 18, 2007 by her builder, Main Iron Works, of Houma, LA after extensive dock and sea trials at New Orleans. The WESLEY A is only the second Z-Tech 7500 to be completed, and is also only the second Z-Tech to be built in the United States. The arrival of the WESLEY A brings to 16 the number of harbor tugs in Bay-Houston Towing Co.’s growing fleet.

Bay-Houston Towing took delivery of its first of their Z-Tech 7500 tugs. The Z-Tech 7500 design is the largest of the Robert Allan line of Z-Tech tugboats. The WESLEY A was delivered to Bay-Houston on Dec. 18, 2007 by her builder, Main Iron Works, of Houma, LA after extensive dock and sea trials at New Orleans. The WESLEY A is only the second Z-Tech 7500 to be completed, and is also only the second Z-Tech to be built in the United States. The arrival of the WESLEY A brings to 16 the number of harbor tugs in Bay-Houston Towing Co.’s growing fleet. The WESLEY A’s principal dimensions are: Length, 98.5 ft., beam 39.3 ft., and a hull depth of 16.4 ft. She is powered by two Caterpillar 3516C engines, which produce 3150 horsepower each for a total of 6300 horsepower.

In a commitment to significantly enhance services to its customers, and to expand its ship-assist capabilities at California’s largest ports, AMNAV Maritime Services will construct four new tugs that will be among the most powerful in the marketplace. The multi-million dollar fleet expansion was announced by Milton Merritt, president of the company that is already a major provider of ship-docking services on San Francisco Bay and at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. “Through this investment, we will be both growing and improving our presence in the ship-assist sector,” said Merritt. AMNAV, part of Seattle-based Marine Resources Group (MRG), will build the new tugs at an MRG-owned shipyard in Rainier, Oregon.