Shore Infrastructure News

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.…

Kongsberg Maritime on Wednesday announced it has signed a contract with Holland Shipyards Group to provide electrification and control systems with automated functionalities for up to four new all-electric ferries for the Swedish Transport Administration, with two firm for delivery and an option for two more.Kongsberg Maritime said it has been tapped to provide the ferries’ electrical systems, as well as a control system suite, including energy management, navigation, an all-new…

DNV signed two Memorandum of Understanding Agreements (MOUs) with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Kongsberg Digital (KD). The partners agreed to closely cooperate on improving DNV’s data infrastructure verification as well as further strengthening SHI’s and KD’s respective vessel and system design when it comes to providing efficient and standardized data access for ship owners. The MOUs were signed at the Posidonia trade Fair in Athens by Oh Seong-Il, SHI SEVP, Kim Evanger…

Looking back, it is easy to wonder if one could have done better by taking the other fork in the road. I grew up in Holland in a maritime family and am pretty sure I would have stuck with maritime there. In 1968, when I was 8 years old, my father left Holland America Line and joined the United States Salvage Association. At the same time, their main customer, the U.S. marine insurance industry, became heavily involved in the development of North Sea offshore oil and gas, and it resulted in an economic boom that made USSA’s Rotterdam office wildly profitable.

Nautilus Data Technologies (NDT) and Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) provide an interesting new twist to the maritime digitalization discussion, with the design, manufacture and delivery of an innovative 7MW data center housed on a refurbished 240-ft. deck barge. Jim Connaughton, CEO, NDT & Michael Complita, PE – VP Strategic Expansion, EBDG, discuss the strategic and environmental advantages as well as the future of housing massive computer banks on barges.When one says “Silicon Valley”, the first image to come to mind likely is not a barge.

As the bid package goes out to shipyards, Sylvain Julien, Director, Naval Architecture, Specialized Ship Design, BMT, discusses how local stakeholder demands and futureproofing shipboard technology drove the design of a pair of ferries for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company.The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Ltd. has provided a lifeline to the Isles of Scilly since it was formed in 1920. When attention turned to designing a pair of new vessels – one passenger and one cargo – to service the island…

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted in March 2020, provided relief to numerous industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Air carriers, for example, benefitted from the creation of a $25 billion Treasury direct loan program, in addition to a $25 billion worker support program that provides a mix of grants and loans to cover employee wages, salaries and benefits. In addition, Congress waived the small business affiliation rules for businesses…

New legislation passed through Congress aims to provide relief to the U.S. maritime industry during national emergencies such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters.Introduced July 9 by the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), The Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA) would establish…

A new passenger ferry built by Dongara Marine has been introduced to the public transport system in Perth, Western Australia. MV Tricia  - named after Perth Zoo's popular 62-year-old Asian Elephant - is the third ferry in the Transperth fleet, joining two other low-wash catamarans introduced in 1997 and 2009. Operating across the Swan River between Elizabeth Quay and South Perth, the 23.7-m aluminium catamaran can carry up to 148 passengers and has a loaded top speed in excess of 16 knots.With two ferries each providing departures every 15 minutes in peak periods…

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz outlined his vision for the service Thursday during the State of the Coast Guard Address in Charleston, highlighting the organization’s top initiatives, accomplishments over the past year, and challenges facing the service today and on the road ahead.The 26th Commandant stressed the importance of America's marine transportation system and highlighted Coast Guard's role in safeguarding maritime commerce among the service's many crucial contributions to U.S. security. “Our interconnected global economy relies on efficient ports and waterways.

South Korea-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) project development company EPIK Co. has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Hyundai LNG Shipping, the marine freight transportation services for LNG."The agreement lays out a framework for the two companies to work together in the development of FSRU projects around the globe, including, but not limited to, EPIK’s recently announced Newcastle LNG FSRU import project at the Port of Newcastle, Australia," said a press release form EPIK.Jee Yoon, EPIK’s Founder and Managing Director, said, “partnering with Hyundai LNG Shipping marks a key strategic milestone for EPIK…

Admiral Karl L. Schultz assumed the duties as the 26th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1, 2018. He previously served from August 2016 to May 2018 as Commander, Atlantic Area where he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions spanning five Coast Guard Districts and 40 states. Previous operational assignments include Sector Commander in Miami, Florida, as well as command tours aboard Cutters VENTUROUS, ACACIA and FARALLON. His senior staff assignments include Chief of the Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Congressional Liaison to the U.S.

Vice Adm. Mary M. Jackson relieved Vice Adm. Dixon R. Smith at a change of command ceremony for Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) March 31, at the Washington Navy Yard. The ceremony included the presentation of colors by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard color guard, national anthem by the U.S. Navy Band and remarks from guest speaker, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson. "While here, I've witnessed firsthand the tremendous dedication of our civilians and Sailors who support the fleet, warfighters and their families," said Smith. Smith served as the head of the Navy's entire shore infrastructure for approximately two and a half years and was the fifth commander of CNIC since the command's inception in 2003.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft delivered the 2017 State of the Coast Guard Address at the National Press Club Thursday. This was Adm. Zukunft's third State of the Coast Guard Address and he emphasized the service as a unique instrument of national security. First and foremost an armed service, the Coast Guard is the only branch of the U.S. armed forces that has broad law enforcement authorities and a portfolio of more than 60 bi-lateral agreements that extend around the globe, Zukunft said.

Trelleborg’s fluid handling operation, supplier of flexible bonded hose solutions for the crude oil, chemicals and liquefied natural gas (LNG) offshore industries, highlighted the areas where its Cryoline hose-in-hose transfer system for LNG will enable the extended use of LNG fuel, optimize the safety of its transfer and lower operator and supplier costs. According to Trelleborg , the cryogenic floating hose system enables rethinking of the conventional wisdom in LNG ship-to-shore transfer for degasification, liquefaction and terminal storage, as well as for gas power generation projects.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Paul Zukunft presented at last week’s 6th Symposium on the Impacts of an Ice-Diminishing Arctic on Naval and Maritime Operations in Washington, DC. Summarizing Adm. In my role as the Commandant of the Coast Guard, I view the Coast Guard as the lead federal maritime agency when it comes to all things Arctic. By “all things Arctic,” I mean everything from safety of life at sea, to marine environmental protection, to fisheries enforcement and a whole host of Coast Guard missions. They all reside within one service, the United States Coast Guard.

Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, the 25th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has a full plate. Driving sexual assault out of the Coast Guard; Preparing the fleet for operations through the year 2061; Coordinating intel and assets to stem the flow of illegal drugs ... they are all on the short list. From his Washington, DC, HQ he shares his vision and mission with Maritime Reporter. You are almost a year in this position as the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Looking back, critique year one.

A raft of new and innovative concepts for LNG barge missions hits the market, in North America and across the pond, as well. Industry gears up for the soon-to-come need for bunkering, infrastructure and LNG-related logistics. In 2014, innovation – as it turns out – means new ideas for the (previously) boring subject of marine barges. It also means LNG. Paired together, LNG and barges are giving naval architects, global classification societies and the operators of a new generation of LNG-powered tonnage something to think about. That’s because the final link of the push to move to dual fuel and/or LNG-powered commercial vessels involves infrastructure. Some early stakeholders are ramping up shore infrastructure to meet the coming demand for bunkers.

Tetra Tech, Inc., says it has been awarded the US$60-Million contract with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for professional architect-engineering environmental services. Under this five-year, multiple-award contract, Tetra Tech will provide services in support of USCG environmental compliance, restoration and environmental liabilities, planning, and sustainability programs. Services will be performed at both onshore and offshore structures, including navigational aids such as lighthouses…

'Adapting To Change: UK policy towards the Arctic' introduced by Mark Simmonds Minister for the Polar Regions Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been released. The document acknowledges that the scale of the challenges facing the Arctic is immense and compounded by the speed of the changes. For this reason the whole of Government has signed up to the comprehensive set of measures outlined in the Policy Framework. It is the UK view that regulation of the shipping industry should take place on a global basis and be regulated universally without prejudice using an equitable approach.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii – The Navy’s energy future was the focus of a two-day NAVFAC Conference and Industry Day, held March 26-28 at the Koa Malina Officers Club, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay. The Navy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, will select three ocean energy power developers to occupy Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) moorings at Kaneohe Bay. "The Navy is committed to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and is leading the way on the development of viable, renewable energy sources,” said NAVFAC Pacific Vice Commander Capt. Pete Lynch. “NAVFAC Pacific is working on ways to make the Navy’s shore infrastructure more energy independent and strengthen our energy security position. The ocean is an untapped resource and possible source of renewable energy.

The 2012 Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) military and civilian Engineers of the Year award was announced Feb. 2 by NAVFAC Commander Rear Admiral Christopher J. Mossey. Senior Civil Engineer Bruce Seamans at NAVFAC Atlantic in Norfolk, Va. was selected as the civilian Engineer of the Year, and Lt. Christopher Casne, Facilities Engineering Acquisition Division (FEAD) team leader at NAVFAC Hawaii in Pearl Harbor, was selected as the military Engineer of the Year. “These two civil engineers represent the best of the Navy,” said NAVFAC Chief Engineer and Director of Capital Improvements Joseph Gott. Seamans served as the chief engineer for the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team and Regional Command South from August 2010 to July 2011.

Virtually everyone is, by now, familiar with the concept of electronic navigation, also called eNavigation or eNav. The problem is that the term means different things to different people. Historically, it started with radio beacons. Radar, loran, and GPS have been added over time. Now we have AIS and electronic charting. Most mariners view this as an increasingly sophisticated set of tools installed on the ship to improve the ability to avoid collisions, groundings, and related casualties. That is only part of the story.