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Westpac News

11 Dec 2020

Baltic Index Posts Weekly Gain

© Björn Wylezich / Adobe Stock

The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index gained on Friday, and notched a weekly rise, on stronger rates across all vessel segments.The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, rose by 50 points, or 4.3%, at 1,211, its highest since Nov. 30. The index rose 1.2% for the week.The capesize index gained 114 points, or 8.6%, at 1,434, a one-week high.But the index fell 5.7% this week, its worst in about a month.Average daily earnings for capesizes…

23 Jun 2017

Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Returns from WESTPAC

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), along with embarked Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1 arrived in San Diego June 23, following a five-and-a-half-month deployment to the Western Pacific. Carl Vinson, Lake Champlain, Wayne E. Meyer and embarked air wing and staffs departed San Diego for a regularly-scheduled deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet into the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, Jan.

07 Jun 2016

Seaward Services Concludes 15-year Westpac Express Work

Seaward Services, an HMS Global Maritime company, recently marked the end of a 15-year working relationship with Austal on the Westpac Express project. Seaward Services was awarded a contract in 2001 to provide operations, maintenance and technical management. Effective June 1, 2016, while another company has taken over the charter of the vessel, Seaward Services will continue its operations, maintenance and technical management of the Westpac Express. The High-Speed Vessel (HSV) Westpac Express transports military personnel and equipment over a 1,200 mile range in Asia for the Marine Corps Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and Military Sealift Command. The 101-meter vessel, home ported in Okinawa, Japan, can carry 970 troops and 236 vehicles, and travel at speeds of 35 knots.

18 May 2016

Abandoned Yacht Found Off Port Stephens Beach

A yacht with no one on board has been discovered in the ocean in Port Stephens in the Hunter, prompting fears a person may have fallen overboard, as per a report in SMH. The eight-metre yacht was spotted on Tuesday night drifting off Samurai Beach in the Hunter region, 205 kilometers north of Sydney. Police on Wednesday launched a large-scale search for a 48-year-old man from Tasmania who was believed to have been living on the yacht, named FireFly. Just after 6pm, police announced the search will be suspended until 8am on Thursday, but 'due to the conditions of the water, it is unlikely the man was able to survive'. Stephen Leahy, CEO at Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters, said it appears the man was living on the yacht and "there is a suggestion that he may have fallen overboard".

12 Jan 2016

US Nuclear Submarine Visits Japanese Port

Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705)  has docked at Yokosuka port in Japan as part of its Asia-Pacific region itinerary, the US Navy announced in a news release. City of Corpus Christi has conducted a multitude of missions and maintains proficiency in the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet. "Every Westpac (Western Pacific) submariner expects to come here at some point during their time in the theater, and it is always a much anticipated visit," said Cmdr. Travis Petzoldt, commanding officer. Commissioned in 1983, the City of Corpus Christi is more than 300 feet long and weighs more than 6,000 tons, the release noted. "City of Corpus Christi is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world.

30 Oct 2015

Maersk Tanker Fuels US Navy Tanker at Sea

Maersk Peary (Photo: MSC)

USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO-199), a Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler, has completed a fueling evolution at-sea with the U.S. flagged tanker Maersk Peary in international waters off the coast of Sasebo, Japan, October 22., the U.S. Navy said. According to the Navy, the four-day training event marked just the second time in the last 15 years that a U.S. Navy tanker has conducted fueling operations at-sea with a commercial vessel. Under a long-term charter to MSC…

20 Apr 2015

Underway on LNG

Dennis Bryant

On 17 January 1955, Commander Eugene P. Underway on LNG has an opportunity to signal an equally significant change in the merchant marine. On February 6, 2015, the newly built Harvey Gulf International Marine offshore supply vessel (OSV) Harvey Energy was bunkered for the first time by liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered by tank truck in Pascagoula, Miss. After receiving classification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and a Certificate of Inspection from the US Coast Guard, Harvey Energy got underway for its homeport of Port Fourchon, Louisiana.

17 Apr 2015

Solving the LNG Propulsion Puzzle

GTT’s membrane technology is Class certified by all major regulatory agencies and has been in service since 1967, encompassing over 300 LNG ships to date.

The last piece of the LNG infrastructure puzzle, in the form of North America’s first LNG bunker barge, falls into place at Conrad’s Orange, Texas Shipyard. With continued debate over new emissions standards and compliance dates hanging over the heads of operators in the Emission Compliance Zones like the Sword of Damocles, WesPac Midstream LLC, a provider of liquefied natural gas solutions, and its affiliate Clean Marine Energy, a facilitator of solutions for emission compliance…

27 Jan 2014

Statoil Awarded Top Company Honors

Hege Marie Nordheim, corporate sustainability senior vice president. (Photo: Harald Pettersen)

Corporate Knights has ranked Statoil number four, and the number-one energy company, on the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable corporations. The announcement was made at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week. The Canadian media company made its list from an initial group of 4,000 publicly traded companies. These were first narrowed down to 350 companies based on financial performance, sustainability disclosure practices, and other criteria. From there, the 350 companies were ranked based on 12 key performance indicators (KPIs) relative to their industry sectors.

30 Oct 2013

First Iron Ore Trade Using CargoDocs Electronic Bills of Lading

BHP Billiton, Royal Bank of Scotland, Westpac Banking Corporation, Cargill and Minerva Marine recently completed the first trade financed iron ore trade using ESS’s CargoDocs electronic bill of lading and eUCP Presentation solutions. CargoDocs was used on a shipment from Australia to China. In this trade the electronic bill of lading was drafted by BHP Billiton in Shanghai (eliminating the need for separate document instructions). It was then approved signed and issued on behalf of Minerva Marine by Wilhelmsen Ships Services in Port Hedland, Australia. BHP Billiton created original electronic peripheral documents within CargoDocs and the whole eSet was endorsed and presented electronically to RBS under an eUCP600 letter of credit.

01 Jul 2013

Austal Hi-speed Catamaran: Navy Charter Extended

Troops boarding WestPac Express: Photo courtesy of Austal

The charter of the Austal high speed vessel 'WestPac Express' has been extended for a further six months by the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The modification to the charter will see the ship continue to support the operations of the United States Marine Corps’ Third Marine Expeditionary Force through to February 2014. The contract extension comes almost exactly 12 years after Austal announced it had signed a world first contract to charter the 101 metre high speed catamaran to the US military for the rapid deployment of Marines and their equipment in the Western Pacific.

21 May 2013

Seaward Provides Bridge Officers for LCS and JHSV Sea Trials

Seaward Services provides bridge officers, including the master and chief engineer, for Builder and Acceptance Trials of the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). USNS Choctaw County, the Navy's second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 2), satisfactorily completed Acceptance Trials, May 3 in Mobile, Ala. under the command of Seaward Services’ master, supported by the company’s chief engineer and other deck and engine officers. During Acceptance Trials the ship's major systems and equipment were tested and evaluated, including a full power run and demonstrations of main propulsion engineering and ship control systems, anchoring, emergency and crew support systems. The ship reached speeds of over 40 knots during at-sea trials.

20 Aug 2012

Hi-speed Catamaran Charter Option Exercised by MSC

 “WestPac Express” Photo credit Austal

United States Military Sealift Command (MSC) exercise first of its three, six months options, for the ongoing charter of “WestPac Express”. The option forms part of a 24 month contract that Austal was awarded in December 2011. A 101 metre aluminium catamaran, â€śWestPac Express” has now been supporting the US Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan since July 2001 and has achieved virtually 100 per cent availability over that time. The Austal-managed charter operation includes in-service support, ship management services and integrated logistics support.

02 Jan 2012

HMS Global Maritime Extends Westpac Express Contract

HMS Global Maritime (HMSGM) announce the extension of the HSV WestPac Express’ charter with the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the Third Marine Expeditionary Force, beginning in February 2012. The contract can last up to an additional two years. The HSV WestPac Express has been operated by HMSGM for the past nine years as a high-speed transport vessel for military personnel and equipment over a 1,200 mile range in Asia. The 101-meter vessel, home ported in Okinawa, Japan, can carry 970 troops and 236 vehicles at speeds of 35 knots. Over the past nine years, the HSV WestPac Express has experienced many achievements. One of those achievements came in March…

06 Dec 2011

FAST 2011: Focuses on Future of Fast Sea Transportation

Naval Architects and marine engineers from around the world gathered in Honolulu in September for the 11th International Conference on Fast Sea Transportation (FAST 2011). The four-day biannual symposium promoted world-wide cooperation among scientists and engineers involved with all aspects of the high-speed maritime industry. FAST 2011 was the Fast Foundation’s 20th anniversary. Kjell Holden of the Norwegian Univ. of Science and Technology and FAST International Standing Committee…

15 Sep 2011

U.S. Navy to Christen Military Vessel at Austal USA

Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Spearhead

U.S. Navy Christens New Military Vessel in Mobile, Alabama at Austal USA. The Navy will christen the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Spearhead Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony in Mobile, Ala. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kenneth Wahlman, U.S. Army (Ret.) will serve as ship’s sponsor. His daughter Catherine, a Staff Sgt. in the Army ROTC attending Virginia Tech University, will assist her father in the christening, Mr. Wahlman’s wife, Chief Warrant Officer Five…

23 Jun 2011

Austal USA: Corrosion Management Solution

Austal USA and their U.S. Navy partners have worked closely to achieve a comprehensive corrosion management solution for the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class. Impressed current cathodic protection systems, already in place on the Westpac Express, an Austal-built civilian vessel that has served the U.S. Marine Corps for the past decade, are set to be tested over the coming months on the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships and ultimately, put into place on the Jackson (LCS 6). Passive measures are important as well, and the Coronado (LCS 4) will get new anti-corrosion surface treatments to better protect the water jet tunnels and associated structure from galvanic corrosion.

08 Jun 2010

U.S. Navy Orders Material for JHSV 4 & 5

Photo courtesy Austal

The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding Austal’s acquisition of long lead-time equipment associated with the construction of two additional 338 ft Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). As the prime contractor, Austal currently has contracts to build the first three JHSVs as part of a 10-vessel program valued at up to $1.6b. The most recent award funds the acquisition of long lead time material for JHSV 4 and 5. Austal was awarded the initial contract to design and build the first 338 ft JHSV in November 2008, with contracts for an additional two vessels awarded in January this year.

12 Oct 2010

Five Minutes with Dave Growden, JHSV Program Manager, Austal USA

Please provide a brief professional history of yourself? I have more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of the planning and production of a wide variety of aluminum high speed vessels ranging in length from 26m to 107m. I have been employed by Austal since age 16 and completed a four year apprenticeship as a Shipwright before progressing into supervision and management of production staff and then program management. Along with experience with 30-60m passenger catamarans…

13 Oct 2010

Austal Awarded Contract for JHSV 4 & 5

Austal received word to move forward with the construction contract for the fourth and fifth vessels of the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over $1.6b. Austal received funding previously from the Navy, valued at $99,557,548, to acquire long lead-time material, to include diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears, for these two vessels in June 2010. The additional work is valued at approximately $204.6m. As Prime contractor, Austal was awarded the construction contract for the first 103-meter JHSV in November 2008, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13.

02 Nov 2010

MSC Transports Marines, Equipment for Exercise in Philippines

Photo courtesy MSC

Military Sealift Command-chartered cargo ship MV Combi Dock III departed Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 30, carrying 460 pieces of U.S. Marine Corps equipment including Humvees, trucks, ambulances, firefighting vehicles, helicopters and supplies that were used during the recent amphibious landing exercise, or PHIBLEX, held in the Philippines Oct. 14-18. The equipment is being returned to Marine Corps bases on Okinawa, Japan. MSC-chartered high-speed vessel HSV Westpac Express also participated in the exercise by transporting Marines and their equipment between Okinawa and the Philippines.

23 Jun 2009

Navy Orders Material for More Austal JHSVs

The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding Austal’s acquisition of long lead-time material associated with the construction of two additional 338 ft Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). The award is valued at $99.5m. Austal was awarded the initial contract to design and build the first 338 ft JHSV in November 2008. The contract included options for a further nine additional vessels to be awarded between FY09 and FY13 for a total value of up to $1.6b. Long lead-time material for the additional vessels will include diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears. Similar to the Austal-built WestPac Express operated by the U.S. Marines for the past seven years…

28 Jan 2010

Austal Contract for JHSV 2 and 3

Image courtesy Austal

The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction of two additional Austal Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) – as part of an existing 10-vessel, $1.6b program. Austal previously received US Navy funding for long lead-time material, including diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears, for these two vessels in June 2009. The additional work is valued at approximately $208m. Intended as the U.S. Department of Defense’s next-generation multi-use platform, the two 338 ft high speed vessels will be constructed at Austal’s US facility, located in Mobile, Ala.