Marine News' 2024 US Shipbuilding Report
If nothing else, building vessels in the U.S. is a complicated business.In a session on the domestic shipbuilding marketplace, at Marine Moneyâs late-November 2023 conference held in New Orleans, Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards (with more than a dozen facilities, in Mississippi and Louisiana), described his companyâs architecture as a âthree-legged stool approach: commercial newbuilds, government newbuilds and repair/conversion capabilitiesâ.On the same panelâŚ
Fourth CTV Launched for WindServe Marine
Senesco Marine held a launch and christening ceremony for WindServe Marine's new Jones-Act-compliant crew transfer vessel (CTV), WindServe Explorer.WindServe Marine, a sister company to the North Kingstown, R.I. shipbuilderâboth part of the Reinauer Groupâwill operate the CTV to serve the U.S. offshore wind industry. The vessel is slated to enter operations at a project in the U.S. Northeast.The BMT-designed aluminum catamaran is 27 meters long with a 9-meter beam and 1.7-meter draft.
Senesco Launches New CTV for WindServe Marine
Senesco Marine on Wednesday launched a new Jones-Act-compliant crew transfer vessel (CTV), WindServe Journey.WindServe Marine, a sister company to the North Kingstown, R.I. shipbuilderâboth part of the Reinauer Groupâwill operate the CTV to serve the U.S. offshore wind industry. The vessel is slated to enter operations at a project in the U.S. Northeast.The BMT-designed aluminum catamaran is 27 meters long with a 9-meter beam and 1.7-meter draft. It is equipped with Volvo Penta D13 main engines (515kW at 2,300 RPM) and a Volvo Penta IPS 900 propulsion system.
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 ShipyardâŚ
Senesco Launches Jones Act CTV WindServe Genesis
Senesco Marine on Friday launched the new Jones-Act-compliant crew transfer vessel WindServe Genesis.WindServe Marine, a sister company to the North Kingstown, R.I. shipbuilderâboth part of the Reinauer Groupâwill operate the CTV. The vessel will initially provide crew transfer support during the construction phase at Ørsted's Southfork Wind project off the coast of Long Island. The vessel will later go on to to work at the developer's Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island and ConnecticutâŚ
MARAD Awards $20.8 Million in Grants to Small Shipyards
The U.S. Department of Transportationâs Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Wednesday announced $20.8 million in grant awards to 27 small shipyards in 20 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.âSmall shipyards strengthen Americaâs commercial fleet, bolster our economic security, and generate good jobs,â said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. âWe are proud to support these shipyards reinforce their vital role in the U.S.
2023 US Shipbuilding Report
Much has changed since Marine Newsâ 2022 shipbuilding report published in March last year, and business opportunities in certain market segments continue to grow. But the shipyards that are looking to cash in are still facing many of the same challenges.For example, many American shipyards and their partners throughout the shipbuilding supply chain are still finding it difficult to attract and retain the workers they need. If youâre a skilled craftsperson looking for a job in shipbuilding, youâre in luck, because there are plenty of openings at shipyards across the country.
2023 Shipbuilding Report: US Passenger Vessels
With travel and tourism nearing pre-2020 levels, and transit systems benefiting from a return to work, passenger vessels have seen renewed activity. In its year-end review, John Groundwater, Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), which advocates for the sector in Washington, D.C. wrote: âAs we are nearing the end of the calendar year, we are delighted to report that our industry, and our members, are reporting far and wide that they have experienced veryâŚ
WindServe Marine Secures Loan for Offshore Wind CTV Construction
WindServe Marine, a U.S. offshore wind support services company, has secured a loan from The Washington Trust Company, for the construction of three new 88-foot crew transfer vessels (CTV), recently commissioned by Ørsted, the largest offshore wind developer in the world. "Washington Trust was founded on the southwestern shoreline of Rhode Island and as a good corporate citizen, we are committed to protecting and preserving the local environment. Providing financing for alternative sources of energy that benefit this community aligns both with our business and sustainability benchmarksâŚ
With HybriGen, BAE Systems Helps the Maritime Industry to Decarbonize
As the maritime industry continues along its emissions reduction journey, one company helping to lead the way is BAE Systems, a firm thatâs been involved with electric and hybrid propulsion for over 25 years.âWeâre all about helping maritime operators get to zero emissions, and it doesnât matter if itâs all-electric, a hybrid application or even fuel cell. We have the technology to help operators achieve lower emissions and keep operating just as theyâre used to with conventional based propulsionâŚ
Wabtec's Power Play
With shipowners pressed to upgrade machinery to meet strict new emission targets, thereâs much confusion with chatter surrounding âdecarbonizationâ and âfuture fuelsâ, solutions that donât exist today â and may not exist in mass for another generation â cluttering the conversation. Enter Wabtec, formerly GE Transportation, which today offers a Tier 4 compliant engine with no need for urea. Is it the cheapest propulsion solution on the market? No. But the Pennsylvania-based engine builder mounts a compelling case for its 250MDC diesel engine based on performanceâŚ
Crowley Secures Subcontract for Hybrid-electric Ferry
Crowley has been selected by Senesco Marine to provide design verification and production packaging for a hybrid-electric passenger vehicle ferry for Casco Bay Lines of Portland, Maine.Under the contract, Crowley will use its development experience in electric and hybrid propulsion systems to verify the contract design by Elliott Bay Design Group and develop the production package that is necessary for Senesco Marine to begin construction. The production package provides criticalâŚ
Senesco to Build Casco Bay Lines' New Hybrid-electric Ferry
North Kingstown, R.I. shipyard Senesco Marine will build a hybrid-electric passenger vehicle ferry for Portland, Maine-based Casco Bay Lines.Designed by Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), the 164-foot ferry will replace an existing diesel-powered ferry, the Machigonne II, resulting in a reduction of 800 tons of carbon dioxide each year.EBDG has supported Casco Bay Lines and their steering committee since 2018 as they prepared and planned for this replacement ferry, operating between Portland and Peaks Island, Maine.
Senesco to Build Hybrid-electric Vessel for Maine State Ferry Service
North Kingstown, R.I. shipyard Senesco Marine said it has been selected by the Maine Department of Transportation to build a new hybrid-electric passenger vessel for the Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS).The 154-foot passenger-vehicle ferry, designed by Gilbert Associates, will be equipped with BAE Systemsâ electric hybrid propulsion solution to deliver reduced and zero-emission operations capability for the Rockland-based ferry service that serves nearly 500,000 riders and 190âŚ
New Sugar Barge Enters Service on US East Coast
A newly constructed barge has entered service for American Sugar Refining, Inc., a member of West Palm Beach-based ASR Group, and its parent companies â Florida Crystals Corporation and Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. The 450-foot-long Knot Refined departed from the Port of Palm Beach on Friday to deliver Palm Beach County-grown and -milled raw sugar to ASR Groupâs Domino Sugar Refinery in New York.Built by North Kingstown, R.I. shipyard Senesco Marine, the 450-foot-long Knot Refined took more than two years to construct and is the first oceangoingâŚ
2022 US Shipbuilding Report
Itâs a common story in the U.S. shipbuilding industry today. A piece of equipment that used to be available for delivery on short noticeâmaybe in one or two weeksânow must be ordered months or more in advance, and it costs double. Add to this rising steel prices and the labor issues that have pervaded nearly all industrial sectors since the early days of the pandemic, and itâs clear that business is far from usual for American shipyards.Bollinger Shipyards president and CEO, Ben BordelonâŚ
IMTRA to Rep KPM Marine in the US
IMTRA, the manufacturer and importer of solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced it has partnered with KPM Marine to support the growing demand for crew transfer vessels (CTV), and offer vital equipment for fire and rescue vessels.Evolving with the offshore wind energy industry, KPM, based in Birmingham UK, has extensive experience with CTV companies and strong relationships with naval architects, boat yards and operators. KPM products were installed by Senesco Marine for WindServe Marine's offshore wind support vessel OdysseyâŚ
BMT to Design Three Crew Transfer Vessels for US Offshore Wind Operations
BMT has won a design contract for three new Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) to be operated at east coast wind farms in the US. The three vessels will be built by Senesco in the USA under ABS classification meeting USCG subchapter L regulations.The 88ft (27m) CTV design is suited for operating conditions on the USâ east coast and features a lightweight Z-bow hull form to improve seakeeping characteristics as well as offer very high efficiency thereby reducing emissions.The vessel utilizes Active Fender System (AFS)âŚ
Ørsted and Eversource to Charter Newbuild CTVs from WindServe and AOS
Offshore wind developers Ørsted and Eversource announced Thursday that they have chosen two regional vessel operators that will partner with Rhode Island shipyards to build crew transfer vessels (CTV) to service their wind farm projects in the U.S. Northeast. The joint venture partners revealed plans to charter five new Jones-Act-compliant CTVs, including three from New York-based WindServe Marine and two from Massachusetts-based American Offshore Services (AOS).The purpose-built aluminum catamarans are designed to handle the unique offshore conditions at the wind farmsâŚ
Building a New Fleet: CTVs for US Offshore Wind
The U.S. has big plans for its offshore wind industry, and shipbuilders like Blount Boats and others are ramping up to capitalize on the unprecedented opportunity.Earlier this year, the Biden Administration unveiled its goal to have 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power installed and in development in the U.S. by 2030. The announcement, which included plans to open new areas to development, accelerate permits and boost public financing for projects, injected a healthy dose of optimism into an American offshore wind industry that has taken its time getting off the ground.To dateâŚ
Racing for 30GWâand a Piece of the US Offshore Wind Pie
â30 by 30â is the rallying cry for all concerned with the burgeoning U.S. offshore wind business. In Spring 2021, the Secretaries of Energy, Interior and Commerce resolved to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of electricity generated from offshore turbines by 2030. Consultants McKinsey, in a recent article frame the value proposition for this clean fuel source, writing: âDuring the industryâs 30-year evolution, costs have fallen so sharply that offshore wind now compares favorably with competing energy sources.â For vessel owners, renewable energy brings opportunity.The thrust of near-term U.S.
Youâre Going to Need a Bigger Fleet
The U.S. is going to need a fleet of Jones Act-compliant vessels to support its budding offshore wind industry. The good news is that several of these vessels are currently operating or on order. Even better, there are plenty more in the pipeline.In 2016, Rhode Island-based Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT) put into service the U.S.â first-ever vessel purpose-built for offshore wind services. The 21-meter crew transfer vessel (CTV) Atlantic Pioneer was constructed by Blount Boats to serve Americaâs first commercial offshore wind projectâŚ
Senesco Delivers New Tug for Reinauer
North Kingstown, R.I. shipbuilder Senesco Marine has built and delivered another EPA Tier 4 compliant tug, Janice Ann Reinauer, to Reinauer Transportation. Upon delivery, the tug went directly to work transporting product on the U.S East and Gulf Coasts.The 4,200-horsepower vessel was designed by Ocean Tug & Barge in close cooperation with The Reinauer operations team and is the 13th tug Senesco has built for Reinauer. The tug was designed to operate as an articulated tug-barge unit (ATB) with an Intercon coupling system.The Janice Ann is classed by ABS (A1âŚ