Usa Facility News

Chief of Naval Operations Visits Austal USA

Austal USA welcomed U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday at the company’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The CNO toured the shipyard’s facility and discussed the company’s growing diversity of design and shipbuilding contracts. During his tour, the CNO witnessed the production of both steel and aluminum ships in the company’s 867,000-sq. ft. module manufacturing facility, including operations supporting the submarine industrial base.Austal USA leadership briefed the CNO on the company’s involvement in several autonomous surface vessel programs…

Dellner Brakes: Serving Inland and Coastal Waterways Markets

Dellner provides a range of clutch and braking products for the inland (brown water) and coastal workboat markets. Dellner products are used in a wide range of workboats including tugs, fishing boats and coast guard vessels. Major customers include US Seafoods, Trident Seafoods, Pesca Azteca, Frabelle Fishing, Western Rivers, ARTCO, Campbell Transportation, Moran Towing, Crowley Maritime, Excell Marine, Hunter Marine, Canal Barge, Andrie, Foss Maritime, Kirby Corporation, Sause Bros and Seaspan.

Dellner to Expanded Product Range to US Market

Dellner Brakes, fresh off acquiring U.S. brake and clutch specialist Gummi USA, said it will present its expanded range of power transmission products to the U.S. marine market at the International Workboat Show (IWBS) from November 29 to December 1. Since the acquisition announced in September, the enlarged business is already starting to work together under one umbrella and the company’s U.S. stock and distribution operations have been consolidated to the Dellner Brakes Gummi USA facility in Houston.

Energy Markets Buoy U.S. Shipbuilding

Proliferation of energy related transport continues to drive commercial U.S. As the United States aims towards energy independence by the end of this decade, domestic shipyards and vessels owners are reaping rewards from this most unexpected turn of events. Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, has been the main (and well publicized) culprit in the rapid turn of events. While the proliferation of gas has been widely known for years, the presence of oil, in quantity, was a pleasant…

Crowley Helps Launch USS Montgomery

Crowley Maritime Corp.’s ocean class tugboat Ocean Sky and heavy lift barge 455-4, managed by the company’s Houston-based solutions group, a project management organization, provided support to shipbuilder Austal USA during the launch of the newly built U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Montgomery, last week in Mobile, Ala. To facilitate the launch, the Montgomery was first moved from Austal’s shoreside assembly zone to the deck of Crowley’s 455-4, a feat that required hoisting the 1…

Austal Launches Montgomery (LCS 8)

On August 6, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch of the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8). The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. This vessel is the second of ten 127-meter Independence-variant LCS class ships Austal has been contracted to build for the U.S. Navy as prime contractor subsequent to a $3.5 billion block buy in 2010. Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA President, commented, “We are very proud to launch the ship named after the capital of Alabama, especially since the greatest shipbuilders made it happen right here in Mobile, Alabama”. Mr.

Multi-mission, Dual Design, Single Focus Littoral Combat Ships

Last month marked the launch of two new Littoral Combat Ships: Milwaukee (LCS 5) launched by Marinette Marine into the icy Menominee River; and Jackson (LCS 6) launched by Austal into the far warmer waters found off of southern Alabama. While the two LCS variants and shipyard climates are a world apart, this innovate U.S. Navy ship production program has the common goal of fortifying U.S. defense interests while spurring investment in the creation of two state-of-the-art ship production facilities. Mid-December in Marinette, Wis., can be described with one word: cold.

Austal Launches JACKSON (LCS 6)

First of Austal’s ten-ship Littoral Combat Ship contract. On December 14, 2013, Austal USA successfully completed the launch of the future USS Jackson (LCS 6). The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. This vessel is the first of ten 127-meter Independence-variant LCS class ships Austal has been contracted to build for the U.S. Navy as prime contractor subsequent to a $3.5 billion block buy in 2010.

Austal Deliver Joint High Speed Vessel, Launch the Next One

The second Austal-built Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 2), USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) delivered to the Navy, & USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) was smoothly launched. The 338-foot-long aluminum catamarans are designed to be fast, flexible and maneuverable even in shallow waters, making them ideal for transporting troops and equipment quickly within a theater of operations. This 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform.

Austal Launches USNS Choctaw County

1 of 7 Navy Ships under construction at Austal USA. On October 1, 2012, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), the recently christened USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2). This 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform. It is part of a 10-ship program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. Brian Leathers, Austal USA Interim President and Chief Financial Officer commented, “This is the ship’s first voyage, one of many in its future.

Resolve Maritime Academy Opens Simulation Training Center

State-of-the-art, simulation-based safety and navigation training center raises the bar for cruise line and commercial shipping professionals. Resolve Maritime Academy (Academy) opened its new Simulation Training Center on Monday, March 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA facility adjacent to Port Everglades. The state-of-the-art, 7000-square-foot facility will provide leading edge simulation-based training programs to enhance safe navigation at sea for cruise line and commercial shipping personnel and other maritime professionals worldwide.

Austal Launches Second LCS

Mobile, Alabama-based Austal USA successfully launched the second 127-meter Independence-Variant Littoral Combat Ship, Coronado (LCS 4). In reference to the success of the Coronado launch, Joe Rella, Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer, had this to say, “The success of this major milestone in the life of not only this vessel but of the entire Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program is a testament to Austal’s highly skilled craftsmen and women. Launch occurs when a ship is complete enough to safely be waterborne.

Aker Kvaerner Wins Subsea Umbilical Contract

Aker Kvaerner won a $14m contract to supply subsea umbilicals to Helix Energy Solutions through its subsidiary Energy Resource Technology, Inc. The contract includes engineering and project management for the Noonan development project in the Gulf of Mexico. Aker Kvaerner will supply main and infield Electro/Hydraulic umbilicals for Helix's Noonan project in the Gulf of Mexico. The Noonan field is the Garden Banks Block 506 located approximately 230 km (145 miles) offshore from Galveston, Texas at a water depth of 820 m (2,700 ft.). The umbilical project management, engineering, and manufacturing will be performed at the Aker Kvaerner Mobile, Ala., USA facility. Delivery is scheduled for January 2008.

Aker Kvaerner Wins Subsea Umbilical Contract

Aker Kvaerner won a $14m contract to supply subsea umbilicals to Helix Energy Solutions through its subsidiary Energy Resource Technology, Inc. The contract inlcudes engineering and project management for the Noonan development project in the Gulf of Mexico. Aker Kvaerner will supply main and infield Electro/Hydraulic umbilicals for Helix's Noonan project in the Gulf of Mexico. The Noonan field is the Garden Banks Block 506 located approximately 230 km (145 miles) offshore from Galveston, Texas at a water depth of 820 m (2,700 ft.). The umbilical project management, engineering, and manufacturing will be performed at the Aker Kvaerner Mobile, Ala., USA facility. Delivery is scheduled for January 2008.

Bollinger INCAT USA -- Marking Its Territory

Known for its sleek, fast and high-performance wave-piercing catamarans, Incat Australia expanded its reach to U.S. shores with its decision last year to partner with Lockport, La.,-based Bollinger Shipyards for the construction and design of a new breed of high speed, aluminum fast craft for operation in the U.S. Wanting to break into the U.S. military market, Bollinger Incat USA is poised to establish a new breed of fast ferry construction that will meet the needs of the U.S military forces. The company also plans to position its vessels as a means to alleviate traffic on highways with its plan for high-speed, high-performance freight vessels, which will be able to carry a mix of semi-trailers and freight vehicles.