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Public Facilities News

30 Nov 2023

US Ferry Services to Receive New Funds Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

© susanne2688 / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Thursday announced grants totaling $220.2 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize the nation’s ferry systems. The program focuses in part on expanding ferry service in rural communities, helping communities acquire modern ferry boats (including electric boats that reduce carbon pollution), and upgrading shore infrastructure to support high-quality, low-emission ferry service.“For many communities around the U.S.…

05 Oct 2023

Making Hydrogen Work: Demo Project in San Francisco Port

© muddymari / Adobe Stock

Hornblower Energy LLC, in partnership with the Port of San Franciso, the U.S. Department of Energy and six corporate partners, including Air Liquide and Glosten, is leading a project to demonstrate the feasibility and viability of using hydrogen (H2) as a maritime fuel.The project is located at Pier 68 in San Francisco. DOE selected the project for funding in 2020. It’s supposed to be completed in 2025 but there are important decision dates before then. So far, project activities have concentrated on planning and modeling.

16 Aug 2023

MARAD Designates Two New Marine Highway Routes

(Photo: Eric Haun)

Two new routes have been designated under the U.S. Marine Highway Program (MHP), U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced this week during a visit to Alaska.The newly designated M-11 in Alaska will add over 6,500 miles to the marine highway system, and the M-79 route extends the reach of the Ohio River system by nearly 250 miles in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. These designations allow any eligible applicant on these routes to apply for future U.S. Marine Highway Program grants…

29 Jun 2023

After Years of Delay, Alaskan Ferry Hubbard Finally Christened

First Lady Rose Dunleavy christens MV Hubbard with Ethan Waldvogel, Hubbard Relief Captain. Photo by Dawn Millen, AMHS. (Photo: Alaska DOT)

Hubbard, a new ferry built in 2019 for Alaska's Marine Highway System (AMHS), was formally christened this week after a change of plans put the vessel's entry into service on hold.The vessel is the second of two Alaska class ferries designed by Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group and constructed at Vigor Shipyard in Ketchikan, Alaska. Construction of both vessels began in October 2014. The series' first ferry, Tazlina, was christened in 2018, and Hubbard was completed in 2019.Intended to operate as day boats to serve the AMHS Lynn Canal route between Juneau…

01 Jun 2023

HIMC23: Port Houston to Host Maritime Conference

Copyright AdobeStock/Ирина Старикова

Leveraging its position as a Top 5 Container Port in the U.S., Port Houston will host its 2nd annual Houston International Maritime Conference (HIMC23) on October 30 – November 1, 2023. The conference will tackle broad maritime industry challenges and opportunities that will shape the entire global supply chain, with specific focus on Port Houston’s commitment to investment, growth and readiness for the future.“HIMC23 is designed to not only illustrate how Port Houston is in growth mode…

27 Jan 2023

US Announces More Grant Funding for Ferry Upgrades

(Photo: Eric Kilby - CC BY-SA 2.0)

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced $384.4 million in federal funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for expanding and improving the nation’s ferry service in communities across the country, as well as accelerate the transition to zero emission transportation.In total, FTA is awarding 23 grants across 11 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Grants will fund projects including replacement of old vessels, expand fleets, and build new terminals and docks.

20 Aug 2021

Port Houston Moving Ahead on Billion Dollar Dredging Project

Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther; USACE Galveston District Col. Timothy Vail; Port Houston Commissioner Clyde Fitzgerald; Congressman Brian Babin; USACE Galv. District Deputy District Engineer Byron Williams (green shirt); Congressman Jodey Arrington (back row green tie); Congressman Kevin Brady; Congressman Al Green (wearing mask); Port Houston Commissioner Roy Mease (Photo: Port Houston)

A Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Port of Houston Authority (Port Houston) was formally presented for the Houston Ship Channel's billion-dollar widening and deepening program, Project 11.The PPA is the official document committing Port Houston to the responsibilities of the project as the local non-federal sponsor. It details the terms of the channel infrastructure expansion, and most significantly, permits the start of dredging the federal waterway.

13 May 2020

Tonnage Slips at Port Houston Amid Pandemic

Photo courtesy of Port of Houston

Monthly cargo volumes at Port Houston declined in April as the coronavirus outbreak continued to impact commerce in the U.S. and across the world.Port Houston, the 6th largest container port in the U.S., handled a total of 221,540 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April, down 12% from the 252,693 TEUs in April 2019. For the full year, however, Port Houston handled 994,627 TEUs through April, which is 5% more than the first four months of 2019.Total tonnage at Port Houston’s public facilities was down 10% in the month of April at 3,766,756 short tons, a decrease of 3% year-to-date.

19 Mar 2020

Houston Box Terminals Shut After Worker Tests Positive for COVID-19

(Photo: Port Houston)

Operations are have been suspended at Houston's Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals after a worker tested positive for COVID-19.Both public terminals are closed and operations are temporarily suspended while a thorough investigation is being conducted, the Houston Port Authority said in a statement."The health and safety of Port Houston’s employees, users, customers and community remains its first priority. Port Houston is in communication with public authorities and health agencies while an investigation is underway…

16 Mar 2020

The National Freight Strategic Plan and the Inland Waterways

© Gerard Corprew / Adobe Stock

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was enacted in December 2015. The FAST Act required the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop a National Freight Strategic Plan to address multimodal freight transportation. In the Federal Register of December 27, 2019, DOT requested information from the public, including industry trade groups, to aid development of the National Freight Strategic Plan.This article summarizes certain of the comments that were submitted by Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Inc. (IRPT) in response to DOT’s request.

03 Feb 2019

Port Houston Reports Record Container Volume

The international port of Texas, Port Houston, had a record-breaking 2018 as container volume through the port grew by double-digits.The port handled handled 2.7 million 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, a common industry measurement for containers, last year. That's up 10 percent from 2.46 million TEUs in 2017.Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther announced several records were broken in 2018, including that total tonnage at Port Houston facilities set a record of 35.7 million tons, which reflected an increase of 9 percent from 2017.“The strength of cargo activity helped drive Operating Revenue to $366 million for the year shattering the previous record set in 2017 of $333 million…

04 Sep 2015

Arctic Cruise Ship Brings High-tech, Green Design

Image: KNUD E. HANSEN A/S

A new vessel has been designed as a luxury expedition cruise vessel for worldwide operation including Arctic and Antarctic regions for itineraries up to 21 days with 300 passengers aboard. The vessel is designed for unrestricted ocean voyages and strengthened for Ice Class 1A service. According to designers KNUD E. HANSEN A/S, the vessel has been developed to meet and challenge the increasing interest from the market concerning smaller size vessels for specialized and customized cruising and expeditions.

31 Jul 2015

Thordon Bearings Secures AK Ferry Contract

Thordon Bearings has received an order to supply its COMPAC system to two Alaska Ferry newbuilds under construction at the Vigor Industrial shipyard in Ketchikan, Alaska. The Canada-based company, a supplier of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearings, will deliver the Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL)-compliant COMPAC propeller shaft bearing system for shaft diameters of 267mm (10.5”). Thordon has a strong history with Alaskan State Ferries with its seawater lubricated bearings installed on the Matanuska, Tustumena and Kennicott. Both of the twin-screw, 85m (280ft.) long Alaska-class ferries will have the capacity to carry 300 passengers and 53 standard vehicles and feature fully enclosed vehicle decks with bow and stern doors for quicker loading/unloading.

05 Jun 2015

Thordon Bearings Bags Alaska Ferry Contract

Photo: Thordon Bearings

Thordon Bearings has received an order to supply its COMPAC system to two Alaska Ferry newbuilds under construction at the Vigor Industrial shipyard in Ketchikan, Alaska. The Canada-based company, a supplier of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearings, will deliver the Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL)-compliant COMPAC propeller shaft bearing system for shaft diameters of 267mm. The twin-screw, 280ft long Alaska-class ferries will each have capacity to carry 300 passengers…

05 May 2015

FVF Chenega Completes Sea Trials with MTU Engines

FVF Chenega

Over the past several months, FVF Chenega, a high-speed car ferry in the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) fleet, was repowered with four new MTU Series 4000 engines. In April, the project was completed with two days of successful sea trials in Seattle. Engineers from MTU America Inc., a Rolls-Royce Power Systems company, along with members of the Chenega’s crew and other AMHS representatives ran the ship through a series of extensive performance and endurance tests on Puget Sound. The results of the tests were positive, according to the crew and the engineering team.

15 Jan 2015

Rolls-Royce Propulsion for Alaska Class Ferries

Rolls-Royce has been selected by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, via its Alaska Marine Highway System, and Vigor Industrial, to provide a highly efficient propulsion system for its future Alaska Class ferries that will be built by Vigor Shipyards in Ketchikan, Alaska. The two Alaska Class ferries will feature a range of Rolls-Royce technology, including reduction gearboxes, tunnel thrusters and steering gears. A Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion system, which integrates controllable pitch propellers and rudders, will increase fuel efficiency and enhance manoeuvrability. "What is also exciting about this contract is that it represents the first time a ferry operator in North America will utilize our Promas integrated propeller and rudder system…

13 Jan 2015

Rolls-Royce Propulsion for New Alaskan Ferries

Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce

The new Alaska Marine Highway System ferries, to be built by Vigor Industrial, will feature Rolls-Royce propulsion systems. Rolls-Royce has been selected by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, via its Alaska Marine Highway System, and Vigor Industrial, to provide propulsion systems for its future Alaska Class ferries that will be built by Vigor Shipyards in Ketchikan, Alaska. The two Alaska Class ferries will feature a range of Rolls-Royce technology, including reduction gearboxes, tunnel thrusters and steering gears.

13 Jan 2015

Rolls-Royce wins AK Ferry Propulsion Contract

Rolls-Royce has been selected by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, via its Alaska Marine Highway System, and Vigor Industrial, to provide a highly efficient propulsion system for its future Alaska Class ferries that will be built by Vigor Shipyards in Ketchikan, Alaska. The two Alaska Class ferries will feature a range of Rolls-Royce technology, including reduction gearboxes, tunnel thrusters and steering gears. A Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion system, which integrates controllable pitch propellers and rudders, will increase fuel efficiency and enhance manoeuvrability. “What is also exciting about this contract is that it represents the first time a ferry operator in North America will utilize our Promas integrated propeller and rudder system…

12 Nov 2013

Moore Begins as Port of L.A. Interim Director

Gary Lee Moore

Gary Lee Moore, who has served as Los Angeles City Engineer and General Manager of the city’s Bureau of Engineering for the past decade, has started his duties as interim executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “Gary is a trusted public servant, with a 28-year track record with the City,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who appointed Moore to the position last month. “The port is a critical economic engine for the city and region,” said Moore. Moore replaces Geraldine Knatz…

16 Oct 2013

EBDG Seeks Next Generation of Marine Engineers

From left - Leffers and Benger at EBDG exhibit

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), a naval architecture and marine engineering firm based in Seattle with offices in New Orleans and Ketchikan, took part in the Alaska Construction Career Days & Maritime Trades on October 14 to foster enthusiasm for future careers in ship design and engineering. The firm, which opened its Alaska office in September, said it is committed to expanding Ketchikan's burgeoning maritime sector and sees this event as a step in that direction. EBDG's representatives at the event included Lydia Benger and Curt Leffers…

05 Apr 2011

Alaska Ship & Drydock Christens the MV Ken Eichner‐2

Photo courtesy Alaska Ship & Drydock

On April 2, Alaska Ship & Drydock, Inc. and the Ketchikan Gateway Borough christened the MV Ken Eichner‐2 as the Borough’s second ferry providing service to the Greater Ketchikan International Airport and entering service as the sister ship to the MV Oral Freeman. Both ships were built by Alaska Ship & Drydock, Inc. (ASD) and are registered as Hull No’s 001 and 004 respectively for the Ketchikan based Shipbuilder. The project was funded through state legislative appropriations sponsored by Senator Bert Stedman and Representative Kyle Johansen.

28 Jan 2011

A Success Story: Alaska Ship & Drydock

Left to right: Randy Johnson, President of Alaska Ship & Drydock, and Doug Ward, Director of Shipyard Development. Photos courtesy Alaska Ship & Drydock

A new maintenance company with no shipyard experience takes a struggling repair yard, converted from an old cannery, and transforms it into a success story. Alaska Ship & Drydock (ASD) is on its way to achieving its vision of becoming the maritime support center for the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The yard’s story is tied to the economic development in Southeast Alaska and its turning point came with the construction of the MV Susitna, the first ice strengthened twin hull ferry, commissioned by the Office of Naval Research.

28 Mar 2010

Radio Holland Contract with Alaska

Radio Holland USA has been awarded a multi-year contract for supply of VSAT and airtime services for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). The fleet, a division of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, State of Alaska, is made up of 11 vessels; transporting people and vehicles to 34 locations along the Alaska coastline and along a 1000 mile stretch of the Aleutian Chain to the Bering Sea. The route goes through the Inside Passage and passes through islands with high mountains and steep fjords. Due to the extreme northern latitudes and the rugged terrain, typical off the shelf supplied equipment and airtime services would not meet the demanding requirements for the AMHS.