Newport News Completes Dry Dock Work for Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis
HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed the dry dock portion of the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).Following the recent flooding of more than 100 million gallons of water into the dry dock, USS John C. Stennis was moved to an outfitting berth at the shipyard, where the remainder of the RCOH work and testing will be completed.During the dry dock phase of the RCOH, USS John C. Stennis received significant upgrades and began an extensive overhaul process, both inside and outside the ship.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Sees Up to $10 Million Hit from Baltimore Disaster
Norwegian car shipping firm Wallenius Wilhelmsen estimates a $5 million to $10 million hit to core earnings from last week's U.S. Baltimore bridge collapse and expects the key ship channel to be closed for weeks, it said on Wednesday.The company said its vessel Carmen - which according to shipping data is among the biggest car carriers in its fleet - remained stuck in Baltimore's port, with the ship and its crew ready to sail as soon as the channel was reopened.Recovery teams opened a second channel enabling smaller vessels to navigate the Port of Baltimore on TuesdayâŠ
US Navy Christens Submarine Idaho (SSN 799)
Groton, Conn. submarine builder General Dynamics Electric Boat hosted a christening ceremony for the U.S. Navy's new Virginia-class submarine Idaho (SSN 799) March 16.Idaho is the 26th submarine in the Virginia class, designed for the full range of 21st-century mission requirements, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare and special operations support. Electric Boat and its partner Newport News Shipbuilding share construction of the Virginia class in a teaming agreement. Idaho is the 13th submarine in the class to be delivered by Electric Boat.The submarine will be the fourth U.S.
Virginia-Class Submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) Completes Initial Sea Trials
HII on Thursday announced its Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed initial sea trials for Virginia-class attack submarine New Jersey (SSN 796). New Jersey spent several days at sea to test the boatâs systems and components.Testing included submerging the submarine for the first time and conducting high-speed maneuvers while on the surface and submerged. NNS teams will continue the testing program ahead of delivering the boat to the U.S. Navy.âTaking New Jersey out for the first time is a significant milestone and the first major test of the submarineâs capabilities at seaâŠ
Virginia-class Submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) Launched
HII announced that Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) was recently launched into the James River at the companyâs Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.Shipbuilders transferred the submarine from a construction facility to the floating dry dock, where it was later submerged and moved by tugboats to a submarine pier at the shipyard for final outfitting, testing and crew certification.âFollowing the christening of this mighty submarine in May, witnessing Massachusetts launch into the river is a source of immense pride for our shipbuilding teamâŠ
Newport News Begins Topside EMALS Testing on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)
HII announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division (NNS) recently began topside testing of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) on aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).EMALS, first integrated into USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), replaces the existing steam catapults currently in use on the U.S. Navyâs Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.Following successful âno-loadâ testing on catapults one and two, known as the âbow cats,â the NNS team, alongside the John F. Kennedy crew, has now started âdead-loadâ testing.
Newport News Delivers First Columbia-class Stern
HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division announced today delivery of the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine stern to General Dynamics Electric Boat.The stern for District of Columbia (SSBN 826) was transported by barge from Newport News to Electric Boatâs facility in Quonset Point, R.I..âThis is a major milestone in the ramp-up of Columbia-class module production here at NNS,â said Brandi Smith, NNS vice president of Columbia-class submarine construction. âOur shipbuilders have worked with pride to accomplish this milestoneâŠ
Authorities Reviewing Evidence from Titan Submersible Tragedy
Authorities from the U.S., Canada and France are combing through evidence recovered from the Titan submersible that suffered a catastrophic implosion en route to the wreckage of the Titanic in June.Investigators from the U.S. Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) and the French Marine Casualty Investigation Authority (BEAmer) conducted an onsite evidence review in Newport, R.I., on November 8, as part of their respectiveâŠ
Newport News Shipbuilding Opens Additional Site in Norfolk
HII announced its Newport News Shipbuilding division has begun production at an additional campus in Norfolk, Va. to support the shipyardâs continued progress toward more effective and efficient shipbuilding.The Newport News Shipbuilding Norfolk Campus is located on land leased from Fairlead in the Lambertâs Point area, at a development known as Fairwinds Landing. NNS shipbuilders have worked at the site for several months constructing steel panels that will eventually make up units of Gerald R.
Newport News Shipbuilding Continues Hiring Push
HII said its Newport News Shipbuilding division continues to make progress in the area of workforce development acceleration, and is meeting hiring demand for skilled trades positions through community outreach efforts and on-site hiring events.The shipyard recently participated in the Whatâs Next for Success Foundation career and job fair held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Hundreds of people, including local high school students, met with NNS talent acquisition representatives to learn about career opportunities at the shipyardâŠ
US Awards More than $653 Million for Port Projects
The U.S. Department of Transportationâs Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced over $653 million to fund 41 port improvement projects across the nation under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).The investmentsâpart of the largest dedicated funding for ports and waterways in history, nearly $17 billion through the Presidentâs Bipartisan Infrastructure Lawâare intended to help grow capacity and increase efficiency at coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports and inlandâŠ
Horne Named VP of Trades at Newport News Shipbuilding
HII announced David Horne has been promoted to vice president of trades at its Newport News Shipbuilding division.Horneâs promotion comes following the restructuring of trades and human resources and administration from one large organization into two standalone organizations. Xavier Beale will continue as vice president of human resources and administration. Both Horne and Beale will report directly to NNS President Jennifer Boykin.âEach part of this organization is critical to our success,â Boykin said.
General Dynamics Electric Boat Wins $967 Million Contract
General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics, wasn awarded a $967 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy for Lead Yard Support and Development and Design efforts for Virginia-class fast-attack submarines.The cost-plus-fixed fee modification to a previously awarded contract totals $967,185,528. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut; McLeansville, North Carolina; Newport News, Virginia; and Newport and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Work is expected to be completed by October 2024. This contract was awarded on September 29. 2023.Virginia-class submarines are designed for the full range of 21st-century mission requirementsâŠ
American Cruise Linesâ First New Coastal Cat Enters Service
American Cruise Lines introduced its first new Coastal Cat, American Eagle, during a christening ceremony in at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus on Buzzards Bay last week.Carol Robertson, wife of American Cruise Linesâ founder the late Charles A. Robertson, served as godmother for the ship and christened the 100-passenger American Eagle with one of her handmade, ribbon-wrapped champagne bottles. The American Eagle is named after the first American Cruise Linesâ ship, which the couple launched in the 1970s.The ceremony began with remarks from RobertsonâŠ
Offshore Wind: US Shipbuilders Answering the Call
Itâs a big deal when a U.S. president visits an American shipyard, and these trips always send a message. When President Obama spoke at HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding in 2013, he warned of the consequences of sequestration. President Trumpâs 2020 speech at Fincantieri Marinette Marine touted a $5.5 billion naval contract that gave a welcome boost to the Wisconsin shipyard and its supply chain partners. Most recently, President Biden traveled to Philadelphiaâs Philly ShipyardâŠ
Electric Boat Lays Keel for Submarine Tang (SSN 805)
General Dynamics Electric Boat held a keel laying for the Virginia-class submarine Tang (SSN 805) at its facility in Quonset Point, North Kingstown, R.I.The submarine will be the third ship in the U.S. Navy to carry the name Tang. The first USS Tang was a Balao-class submarine, SS 306, credited as the most successful U.S. submarine of WWII, sinking the most tonnage of any U.S. submarineâ33 enemy shipsâon five war patrols over the course of just 14 months."This ship representsâŠ
Newport News Authenticates Keel of Virginia-class Attack Submarine Oklahoma
HIIâs Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division authenticated the keel today for Virginia-class attack submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802).âWe enjoy participating in Navy traditions like this one because they remind us of the important role we play in our nationâs defense,â NNS President Jennifer Boykin said. âThe nuclear submarines we build help ensure our peace and freedoms, and we take great pride in being a nuclear shipyard.âThe shipâs sponsor is Mary âMollyâ Slavonic, an Oklahoma native. Slavonic has long supported both the state of Oklahoma and the Navy.
HII Awarded Contract for Aircraft Carrier Maintenance
HII announced Monday that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to support maintenance of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in San Diego. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), cost-plus incentive and award contract has a potential value of $528.4 million over five years, if all options are exercised.The contract covers maintenance, repair and modernization efforts for Nimitz- and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers home-ported in and visiting the San Diego area.
GD Electric Boat Scores $1B for Submarine Modifications
General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a $1.076 billion contract modification from the U.S. Navy to provide long-lead-time material and advanced construction for Virginia-class fast-attack submarines.Electric Boat is presently under contract for construction of submarines in Block V of the class. The $1,075,896,000 in advance procurement funds from this contract modification will enable Electric Boat to purchase materials andâŠ
The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed
The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it canât build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission, the Navy would include 293 battle force ships at the end of FY2024 and 291 battle force ships at the end of FY2028."But there is progressâŠ
Newport Shipping, NSB Group Tout Ship Widening Collaboration
Newport Shipping and NSB Group announced a plan to work together to develop their ship widening proposition for its customers. The NSB Group design will increase container capacity by up to 30% by implementing its unique widening concept, according to the company improving profit and resulting in a better Energy Efficiency Design Index for Existing Ships (EEXI).The concept is about widening a container vessel in breadth while the existing main engine remains the same. Furthermore, other options are for bulbous bow optimization and propeller retrofit. During the widening process, the amount of reefer plugs can be increased to get more flexibility in the stowage plan. NSB has already carried out three ship widening projects for vessels in service for MSC, at the HRDD shipyard in China.
Fishing Vessel Sinks After Colliding with Pilot Boat in Virginia
A fishing vessel quickly sank after colliding with a pilot boat near Newport News, Va. on Tuesday.The U.S. Coast Guard said it was alerted at 7:50 a.m. that the Virginia Pilot Association pilot boat Swift and a 38-foot deadrise fishing vessel Miss Heather collided near the Newport News Small Boat Harbor.A pilot aboard the Swift rescued two fishermen from the Miss Heather and brought them aboard as the fishing vessel rapidly took on water and sank.A rescue crew aboard a 45-footâŠ
HII Dry Dock Gate to Become Part of Sustainable Fish Reef
HII announced its Newport News Shipbuilding division partnered with the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) to donate and sink a former dry dock caisson gate offshore, giving it new life as part of an artificial reef.Caisson gates are used at the harbor end of a dry dock, with pipes inside allowing for water from the James River to enter when NNS needs to flood the dry dock. This particular gate, originally put into service at NNS in 1967, was part of a dry dock no longer in use at the shipyard.NNS crews worked to prepare the caisson gateâŠ