Keel Laid for US Navy's First Constellation Frigate
The U.S. Navy on Friday celebrated the keel laying of the lead ship of the Constellation class of guided-missile frigates, the future USS Constellation (FFG 62), at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Marinette, Wis.Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti participated in the ceremony along with Wisconsin governor Tony Evers and Fincantieri Marine Group CEO Marco Galbiati.Hundreds of FMM shipbuilders gathered with guests inside the shipyardâs massive new climate-controlled Building 34âŠ
OpEd: US Commercial Shipbuilding and Repair Industry Ensures American Strength at Sea
As Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi once said, âGrowth in commercial shipbuilding facilitates growth in the battle fleet.â Sen. Wicker shrewdly recognizes that Americaâs manufacturing capacity and national security are deeply intertwined. A robust commercial shipbuilding and repair industry is a critical cornerstone of this capacity.For the shipyard industrial base to remain strong and competitive, American innovators need a forward-thinking comprehensive American maritime strategyâŠ
US Navy Shibuilding Schedules Hit by Supply Chain Woes
Virginia-class submarines, an aircraft carrier and frigates being built for the U.S. Navy are now years behind schedule because of skilled labor shortages, design issues, and supply chain challenges stemming from the pandemic, the Navy said on Tuesday.U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro in January ordered a comprehensive review to examine national and local causes of the challenges to shipbuilding with Tuesday's results showing that five classes of ships being built for the U.S.
Americaâs Watershed Initiative: Sustaining a Critical Waterway
Kimberly Lutz and Americaâs Watershed Initiative (AWI) are making every effort to sustain the Mississippi River for generations to come.The Mississippi River is one of the worldâs largest river systems and is arguably Americaâs most critical waterway. Flowing over 2,350 miles, spanning, at points, up to eleven miles, and discharging approximately 593,003 cubic feet of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico, the Mighty Mississippi is awe inspiring in terms of its natural characteristics as well as its commercial impact on both the American and global economies.
US Great Lakes Shipping Companies Spend $120 Million on Winter Repairs
American shipping companies are spending more than $120 million to repair and maintain their fleets of Great Lakes bulk carriers this winter.The fleet of U.S.-flagged ships, known as "lakers", can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually, including iron ore, stone, coal, grain, salt and sand. Each year after the shipping season draws to a close, these vessels enter shipyards and repair facilities around the Great Lakes for a period of winter maintenance and repair. ThisâŠ
Fincantieri Marinette Marine Dedicates New Blast and Paint Facility
Fincantieri Marinette Marine dedicated its new blast and paint facility in Marinette, Wis. on December 5, 2023.Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers were present to help cut the ribbon on the new facility where shipbuilders will efficiently prepare and paint large portions of Constellation-class frigates prior to final construction. Fincantieri Marinette Marine is on contract to build the lead ship and three additional vessels, with additional options for six more frigates.The 25,000 sq.ft.
US Ferry Services to Receive New Funds Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The U.S. Department of Transportationâs Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Thursday announced grants totaling $220.2 million from President Bidenâs Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize the nationâs 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.âFor many communities around the U.S.âŠ
Vard Accommodation Changes Name. Wins Service Operation Vessel HVAC-R Contract
Vard Accommodation said Wednesday it had changed its name to Vard Interiors. The company also said it had secured a new contract with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding."Vard Accommodation is changing its name to Vard Interiors to show more clearly the full range of products within the company, covering the full interior of the shipâdecoration, furniture, piping, and HVAC-R," the company said."With the new name Vard Interiors, we strengthen our position as a deliverer of the complete interior of the shipâŠ
US' MARAD Announces Grants to Boost Supply Chain Efficiency
The U.S. Department of Transportationâs Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $12 million in grants to eight marine highway projects across the nation under the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP). The funding will improve the movement of goods along our navigable waterways and expand existing waterborne freight services in Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, which will strengthen supply chains and ultimately cut costs for consumers.âOur country has always relied on American waterways to get vital goods where they need to go,â said U.S.
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
Commercial Fishing on the Great Lakes is a Family Affair
Although the number of fishermen who make a living on the waters of the Great Lakes is much diminished from a half century ago, the region's commercial whitefish fishery continues to be viable and profitable.Henriksen Fisheries is one of about a dozen commercial entities in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan, focused on trap netting whitefish in Green Bay and the waters surrounding the Door Peninsula.Charlie Henriksen started his family-owned fishing business in Door County in 1987.Originally from IllinoisâŠ
Crossing Death's Door Daily
Washington Island Ferry Line (WIFL) has been the essential link between the residents, business and visitors of Washington Island and Wisconsin's Door Peninsula for more than eight decades.Picturesque and peaceful Door County isn't named for some intrepid settlers named Door. The name has a more ominous meaning. It's derived from the treacherous passage between the peninsula and Washington Island that mariners called Porte des Mortes, or Death's Door.A unique combination of environmentalâŠ
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
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Expands Partnership with Local Technical College
Sturgeon Bay, Wis. shipyard Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is expanding its partnership with a local technical college in an effort to advance the maritime manufacturing industry and meet growing workforce demand within the region.In fall 2022, FBS and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) designed a specialized training program for FBS employees to advance their welding and ship/pipe-fitting techniques. Since the launch, 97 participants have successfully completed this five-week course offered through the NWTC Sturgeon Bay campus.
America's Sea Services Building Large Fleet of Small Ships and Craft
Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program officesâPMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliariesâŠ
Powering the North American Maritime Fuel Transition
Offshore service vessels, along with workboats serving harbors and inland rivers, have embarked on an industry-wide voyage toward reduced emissions of greenhouse gasses. Professor Craig Philip, a faculty member with Vanderbilt Universityâs Center for Transportation and Operational Resilience (VECTOR) and former CEO of Ingram Barge Company, provides this context: âThe Maritime Sector has long provided shippers with the most fuel-efficient and sustainable freight transport optionâŠ
HAV Design Becomes First European Firm to Design SOV for U.S. market
The Norwegian company HAV Group said Monday that its ship-design subsidiary, HAV Design, had signed a contract with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding to construct a newbuild service operation vessel (SOV) destined for the Coastal Virginia offshore wind project in the U.S.The ship will be built for CREST, a partnership between the U.S. company Crowley and the Danish company ESVAGT."The contract marks the U.S. breakthrough for HAV Design, which becomes the first European ship designer to develop an SOV for the U.S. market," HAV said.The U.S. plans to install 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
US Great Lakes Fleet Set for $126 Million in Winter Work
The U.S. Great Lakes shipping fleet has begun the annual transition from sailing to scheduled periods in regional docks and ship repair facilities for repair, maintenance and modernization.This year alone, U.S. Great Lakes shipping companies will invest more than $126 million in their vesselsâfrom over 1,000-feet to smaller tug and barge combinationsâat shipyards and facilities across the Great Lakes, according to trade group the Lake Carriersâ Association. This includes more than $48 million in WisconsinâŠ
Wisconsin Awards $5.3 Million in Harbor Maintenance Grants
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, together with the state's Department of Transportation (WisDOT), announced grants totaling $5.3 million for seven harbor maintenance and improvement projects to promote waterborne freight and economic development.âFrom the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, Wisconsinâs unique geography provides our state opportunities to grow our economy and help our businesses reach markets worldwide,â said Gov. Evers. âThese grants will help maintain our harbors and ensure our ports are secure and reliableâŠ
ATB Tug Partially Sinks in Port Milwaukee
Multiple agencies are responding to prevent any potential environmental damages after a tug partially sank at its moorings on the Kinnickinnic River in Port Milwaukee.The Coast Guard said its watchstanders at Sector Lake Michigan were notified by the National Response Center at 11:27 a.m. on Monday that the vessel Michigan, part of an articulated tug and barge (ATB) unit, began taking on water and partially sank in 26 feet of water.Photos shared by the Coast Guard earlier this week show the stern of the 115-foot-long tug submerged while its bow remains above the waterlineâŠ
Incat Crowther Designs University of Wisconsin-Superior's New Research Vessel
The Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) at the University of Wisconsin-Superior has commissioned naval architecture firm Incat Crowther to design a new low-emission battery hybrid research vessel.The aluminum-hulled vessel will be built by Louisiana shipbuilder Midship Marine for expected delivery in spring 2024.Described as a âfloating classroomâ, the 65-foot USCG-certified catamaran will support the universityâs on-water education and research and features proven parallelâŠ
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2022
The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted the most notable newbuilds delivered in 2022. From sturdy and nimble workboats, to the first new Jones Act laker in a generation, each vessel on display showcases the industryâs engineering prowess and technological ingenuity, with the focus on improving efficiency in operations. The maritime industry has no shortage of challenges to overcome, and each of Marine Newsâ top vessels will, in one way or another, aid efforts to tackle them.Mark W.
Jackie Q. Carter to Serve as Director at Port Milwaukee
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson has selected Jackie Q. Carter to serve as Municipal Port Director. In this position, Carter will direct commercial and recreational operations at Port Milwaukee, oversee a staff of twenty people, and administer Foreign Trade Zone No. 41. The appointment is subject to Common Council approval.A lifelong resident of Milwaukee, Carter has worked in the local non-profit and public sector for more than 20 years. She most recently served as the Finance & Administration Officer for Port MilwaukeeâŠ