Suren Menon News

Since 1999, when American Classic Voyages (AMCV) first announced its intention to construct two U.S.-flagged cruise ships that would be staffed by American officers and crew, the U.S. shipbuilding industry received a boost back into an area that it had not participated for almost 30 years — the cruise shipping market. Prior to the construction of the two vessels by Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding, AMCV wanted to start making money right away — it purchased the 17-year-old ms Nieuw Amsterdam for $114.5 million from Holland America. AMCV then received an official notice from Congress that provided exemption from the Jones Act, thus allowing the U.S. Coast Guard to re-flag the foreign registered vessel.

Cascade General was awarded the contract for construction of a 120MW power barge for MAN B&W Diesel AG of Augsberg, Germany. The floating diesel power station will be built for operation in Guatemala, and is a self-contained mobile power generation unit comprised of seven MAN B&W type 18V 48/60 diesel generators mounted on a deck barge which measures 279 x 204 x 11.8 ft. "This is a large - and in many ways significant - project, which shows Cascade General's ability to compete in the international market for newbuilds," said Cascade executive vice-president Suren Menon. The seven generating sets will be housed in an engine hall, which will be prefabricated at Cascade General. A steel deckhouse structure will accommodate control room, offices, workshops, supplies and electrical facilities.