Metal Trades News

Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) announced that a new four-year collective bargaining agreement has been ratified by the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council (PMTC). The PMTC is the exclusive bargaining representative for Production and Maintenance employees at PSI and consists of nine unions.“We are pleased to have successfully ratified this agreement extending our strong partnership with the PMTC,” said Mike Giantomaso, Vice President of Human Resources at Philly Shipyard. “With our record order backlog of nine ships and the currently strong labor market…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, on Monday held a christening ceremony for the Derrickboat Kolber. This new derrickboat is 160 feet long, has a beam of 60 feet and a depth of 12 feet. The large crane is a SeaTrax series 60 Model S9302. Its design and construction were contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marine Design Center. The barge was designed by TAI Engineers of New Orleans, and constructed by Metal Trades, Inc., of Hollywood, S.C.The Kolber’s…

General Dynamics announced today that the negotiating teams from Bath Iron Works and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local S6 reached agreement last night on mutually acceptable terms to end the ongoing strike by shipyard workers in Bath, Maine. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service deputy director Rich Giacolone and IAM International President Robert Martinez helped to facilitate the tentative agreement.“We are pleased to have reached agreement with our union partners and look forward to getting back to the job of building ships for the U.S. Navy,” said Phebe Novakovic, chairman and chief executive officer.

Philly Shipyard has been awarded a contract to build up to five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) that will enable at-sea training for America’s future mariners and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in times of need.TOTE Services, selected in May 2019 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) as the vessel construction manager for the NSMV program, placed an initial order with Philly Shipyard for the first two vessels for delivery in Spring and Winter 2023…

More than $20 million in grant funding has been awarded to support capital improvement projects at 29 small shipyards in 22 states across the U.S.The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program, supports capital improvements that foster increased efficiency and economic growth.“These grants are an investment in our country’s small shipyards and will help create good jobs for America’s workers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L.

Shipbuilder and Heavy Steel Fabricator Metal Trades, Inc., located on Yonges Island, SC has announced the launch of its largest ever built new construction barge. This barge is 370’ x 59’ x 14’. It is designed to hold a total of 18- 60 foot rail cars capable of carrying cargo for up to 2298 Long Tons for New York New Jersey Rail, LLC (NYNJR), a short line railroad and wholly-owned entity of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Metal Trades, Inc. is contracted to build a total of two of these barges and the first of these barges is to be delivered next week.

Metal Trades, Inc. (MTI) has launched a newly built shallow-draft push boat for Bald Head Island Limited, LLC. (BHI). The new vessel, Capt Cooper, was christened during a June 27 ceremony at the builder’s Yonges Island, S.C. facility. As the first self-powered vessel built by MTI, Capt Cooper signals an expansion of MTI’s service offering to include new vessel construction. The 55-year-old company has been active in heavy metal fabrication, barge building and vessel repair for government and commercial customers.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to build dozens of new warships in one of the biggest peace-time expansions of the U.S. Navy. But interviews with ship-builders, unions and a review of public and internal documents show major obstacles to that plan. The initiative could cost nearly $700 billion in government funding, take 30 years to complete and require hiring tens of thousands of skilled shipyard workers - many of whom don't exist yet because they still need to be hired and trained, according to the interviews and the documents reviewed. Trump has vowed a huge build-up of the U.S. military to project American power in the face of an emboldened China and Russia. That includes expanding the Navy to 350 warships from 275 today.

A fisheries research vessel operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), was recently repowered with new eco-friendly fuel-efficient engines from Volvo Penta. The vessel R/V Palmetto underwent an overhaul at the Metal Trades shipyard near Charleston, S.C., and was put back into service in July. As part of the overhaul project, the original 1980s-era diesels were replaced by a pair of new Volvo Penta D16 MH600 Tier 3 engines with ZF W650 gears. The installation also included electronic controls and a seven-inch display screen in the wheelhouse.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, Inc. (APSI), the sole operating subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA, announced today that a new four year collective bargaining agreement has been ratified by the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council (PMTC). The PMTC is the exclusive bargaining representative for production and maintenance employees at APSI and consists of ten unions. Mike Giantomaso, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Vice President of Human Resources remarked, "We are pleased to have successfully ratified this agreement and are very proud to continue our partnership with the PMTC. This contract supports our company's vision of being the leading U.S.

Huntington Ingalls Industries announced today that the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council (PMTC) and local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO) and Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) approved an extension of the collective bargaining agreement with the company's Ingalls Shipbuilding division. "This collaboration between management and labor is another example of how we continue to work together to ensure we provide the best opportunities for our shipbuilders and at the same time position our shipyard to compete for future contracts," said Edmond Hughes, Ingalls' vice president, human resources and administration.

Bos Smith, Vice President, Operations, with Stevens Towing Co., Inc., Yonges Island, S.C., announces the delivery of Ocean Ranger, a 200’ X 72’ X 14’ ABS-classed floating crane barge. Stevens Towing, operating Ocean Ranger under Charleston Heavy Lift, will offer crane services in the Charleston, S.C., to Savannah, Ga., area. The barge was designed by The Shearer Group, Inc., Seabrook, Texas, and built by Metal Trades, Inc., of Yonges Island, S.C. Additional engineering for the crane boom and back-leg foundations and associated equipment was provided by TEEARC Engineering of Henderson, Nev.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), a company that designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe, reported third quarter 2013 revenues of $1.64 billion, up 2.6% from the same period last year. Third quarter diluted earnings per share was $1.36, compared to $0.26 in the same period of 2012. Segment operating income in the third quarter was $142 million, compared to $89 million in the same period last year.

A bipartisan coalition urge Congress to pass a Defense Appropriation Bill to avoid another Continuing Resolution (CR) & Sequestration. A bipartisan coalition of labor unions and maritime business owners affiliated with the Shipbuilding Council of America have jointly sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass a defense appropriations bill and avoid sequestration cuts before the Navy begins widespread lay-offs and cancellation of ship maintenance on February 15, 2013. •    Up to 46,000 Department of Defense civilian employees will be immediately laid off. •    Another 800,000 workers will face furlough days resulting in a 20 percent pay cut. •    More than 100,000 people could lose jobs in the shipbuilding and repair industry and our supply chain.

Metal Trades, Inc. announced the completion of two double hull Fuel Barges for the U.S. Navy as a sub-contractor to Maybank Industries. The ABS classed 7,000 barrel barges are designed to carry diesel and JP-5 fuel in four cargo tanks within a 180 foot long by 44 foot wide hull. These two barges are being delivered to Pacific Naval Facilities. The two barges (YON-332 and YON-333) were designed by Bristol Harbor Group. Metal Trades will be launching two more double hull barges in 2012 for the same customer, with final delivery to U.S. Naval facilities on the East Coast.

With State and Federal Assistance, Huntington Ingalls to Explore Options for Avondale Conversion; Save Our Shipyard Coalition Hails New Developments. "This is good news for the people of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana—indeed America," declared Metal Trades Department President Ron Ault, welcoming the announcement that Huntington Ingalls will collaborate with state and federal authorities to explore options to transition Avondale. One of those options would be converting the facility into a commercial shipyard. "We look forward to working with the state and all our stakeholders to maintain Avondale as the largest private employer in the state and as a pathway to the middle class for future generations," Ault said.

Metal Trades Department Praises Rep. Richmond, Sen. Landrieu and Avondale SOS Partners. Thanks to the work of Senator Mary Landrieu and Congressman Cedric Richmond and the Avondale SOS Coalition, Avondale Shipyard took another step toward stability after they persuaded the federal government to remove the financial incentive for Huntington Ingalls to shut down the shipyard. "This is a hopeful new development for working families in Avondale," said Metal Trades Department President Ron Ault. "Thanks to the hard work and determination of Representative Richmond and Senator Landrieu, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, and all our SOS coalition partners, Avondale could have a new life. Sen. Landrieu and Rep. Richmond sent a letter to Sec.

Metal Trades, Inc. was contracted by Maybank Industries. LLC to build two new types of double hull barges for the U.S. Navy. Three “YON” fuel barges and one Ship Waste Offloading Barge (SWOB) will be built, each type with identical 6,900 barrel capacity cargo and double hull configurations. The ABS classed barges are being designed by Bristol Harbor Group of Bristol, RI to be 180 feet long and 44 feet wide. Production Engineering services are being performed by Bluewater Designs, Inc. of Delray Beach, FL.

On March 10, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Oslo: AKPS) launched Ship 013, the ninth product tanker in a series of 12 to be completed by 2011. The 46,000 dwt vessel was floated off of its blocks and was transferred by tug from the Building Dock to the Outfitting Dock, where it will remain for the next few weeks as it undergoes continuous testing and commissioning in preparation for its upcoming sea trials. When completed, the 600-ft long vessel, to be named the Overseas Martinez…

Metal Trades, Inc. announced the completion of YON 331, the second vessel of a new class of 14,000 barrel double hull fuel barges for the U.S. Navy. The 200-ft x 52-ft barge was designed by Bristol Harbor Group of Bristol, R.I. to carry either Diesel or JP5 Jet Fuel in five cargo tanks. Metal Trades was contracted by Maybank Industries, located in Charleston, S.C.. The barge will be delivered to the Naval Supply Systems Command Fuel Depot facility in Norfolk, Va. Shaun Flynn, Metal Trades’ VP of Operations said…

Metal Trades, Inc. (Hollywood, SC) has built and delivered the outer hull for a double hull fuel barge conversion for Cross State Towing Company of Jacksonville, FL. The 256 ft long by 56 ft wide outer hull was designed by Glowacki Engineering to retrofit on the outside of the 17,000 BBL cargo tank bay in compliance with USCG and OPA 90 requirements. According to Randy Brown, Vice President of Business Development for Metal Trades, “This was an interesting project that involved building and launching only the outer hull…

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI), has been contracted by Metal Trades, Inc. of Hollywood, South Carolina to design two 14,000 BBL Double Hull Oil Tank Barges to carry ‘D’ and ‘E’ grade fuels for the U.S. Navy. Metal Trades is building the new barges as a sub-contractor to Maybank Industries, LLC based in Charleston, SC. The 200.f ft x 52 ft x 16.5 ft sister vessels are fully compliant with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and are classed ABS Maltese Cross A1 Oil Tank Barge Unmanned Ocean Service. The first hull, YON 330, has been built and delivered to begin service at the U.S. Naval Fuel Depot.

Aker Philadelphia Shipyard (Oslo:AKPS), a leading U.S. commercial shipyard, cut steel on Hull 014, the tenth product tanker in the series of twelve to be built for American Shipping Company (Oslo:AMSC). Production of this vessel begins a few days after the successful delivery of Hull 010, the Overseas Boston. A small ceremony was held this afternoon to commence production and was attended by representatives of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, OSG, the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council and Philabundance. Last week, Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council held a yard wide food drive to help support Philabundance in its mission to be the largest hunger relief organization in the region.