Marinette Marine Facility News

The movement of petroleum products on the nation's rivers, lakes, bays and oceans is soon to be regulated of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Called OPA 90, this regulation requires many bulk carriers of petroleum products to use double-hulled barges to haul their cargo by 2005 and all to be doubled hulled by 2015. Looking first at the large product tankers and crude oil carriers, 23 product carriers and 17 crude oil carriers must be double hulled by 2005, another 20 product carriers and 17 crude oil tankers need to be double hulled by 2010 and another 13 product and 9 crude oil ships need to meet OPA 90 by 2015. These conversions (or ship retirements) are a major issue impacting the ability of the U.S. to transport crude oil and its refined products.

Marinette Marine Corporation, a subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. launched the ferry Spirit of America for New York City's Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) on December 18. This 310- ft. ferry is the third of three Staten Island Ferries to be built as part of a $120-million contract that was awarded to Manitowoc in 2001. The ships are the largest ever launched at the Marinette Marine facility. The launch featured Margaret Gordon, Executive Director of Safety and Security for the Staten Island Ferries, performing the traditional christening ceremony. "The Spirit of America will be the 27th ferry to serve the Staten Island to New York route since municipal service began in 1905.

After assessing the effects of the recent strike at Marinette Marine Corporation along with difficult domestic crane markets, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. announced that it now expects first-quarter earnings per share to be approximately break even. The 44-day strike at the company's Marinette Marine facility, which ended March 7, is expected to reduce first-quarter earnings per share by approximately $0.12 to $0.15. This is due primarily to lost absorption, inefficiencies, and delays in starting new shipbuilding projects. The strike involved approximately 700 shipyard workers who are represented by Boilermakers Union Local 696. The company…

For many years the fortunes of the Great Lakes-based shipbuilders and naval architects was based solidly on the building level of the owners who were also based on the 94,000 sq. mi. of water that makes up the five Great Lakes. That is no longer as true a statement as it once was. While there are many projects in this area designed and build by Great Lakes firms for owners in the area, an impressive number of significant commercial market projects as varied as Staten Island, New York ferries and Gulf of Mexico crew/supply boats were designed and or built on the Great Lakes. The Kennedy Class of double ended auto/passenger ferries is one of the most recognizable images of New York City. Every weeknight millions of people see one during the opening of the David Letterman Show.