Alabama Announces $20 Million Transocean Settlement
Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced that Alabama has agreed to a settlement with Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling, Inc., which owned the Deepwater Horizon. Alabama will receive $20 million. “The State of Alabama suffered tremendous environmental and economic losses because of the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “I appreciate the entire Alabama team for working to ensure Alabama is fairly compensated. On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon floating drilling rig owned by Transocean and used by BP, experienced a well destabilization that ultimately led to an explosion causing catastrophic fires, a leak of over 3 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, and the death of 11 people.
Carnival to Begin Operations in Alabama
Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Fantasy will begin voyages from the Alabama coast, marking the return of cruise ships to Mobile after a four-year absence. The first cruise will start from the Mobile Cruise Terminal in autumn 2016. The Carnival Fantasy will also operate cruises to Mexico throughout the year. The Mobile City Council approved the deal between the Cruise Line and the city-owned cruise ship terminal on Wednesday. The agreement approved by the council is for about 13 months, meaning the cruises will run from early November 2016 to late November 2017. The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will undergo a Multi million dollar refurbishment before setting out.
Austal USA Breaks Ground On Three New Facilities
Austal USA held a combined groundbreaking ceremony today, to celebrate the start of work on three new facilities including Phase 2 of the Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF); a new office complex; and an additional waterfront Assembly Bay. The ceremony was held at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, where construction is underway on the U.S. Navy’s Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program and the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program. This event was attended by several notable dignitaries, including Alabama Governor Robert Bentley; Rear Admiral Joseph F.
