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Amcv News

22 Oct 2001

AMCV Files for Voluntary Petition, Reorganization Under Chapter 11

American Classic Voyages Inc., the largest U.S.-flag cruise company, announced on October 19 that it has filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code in Wilmington, Del. The company has ceased operations for its Hawaii vessels, the ms Patriot and the ss Independence, following the completion of their last cruises. cease operation at the completion of each vessel's cruise following the announcement. The Delta Queen steamboat, the company's National Historic Landmark flagship, will continue to operate its scheduled future voyages. In addition, AMCV said it intends to work with Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S.

25 Oct 2001

Northrop Grumman Suspends Work On Project America

Northrop Grumman Corporation announced today that, effective immediately, it has suspended all work on Project America, a cruise ship program to build two 1,900-passenger cruise ships at its Pascagoula, Miss., Ingalls Operation. Approximately 1,250 of the 1,600 full-time employees assigned to the project will be affected by this suspension. An additional 500 subcontractor employees could also be affected. American Classic Voyages Company (AMCV), which is the parent of Project America, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 19, following the tragic events of Sept. 11 and their impact on the tourism industry. As previously stated…

08 Oct 2001

High Tech Service Initiatives From Deltamarin

Finnish technical consultancy Deltamarin, in characteristically innovative style, is breaking new ground with the development of new computer-based services encompassing safety simulation and risk assessment, knowledge management and life-cycle support. Its latest endeavors form the basis of what it describes as contemporary configuration engineering and management, and extend the role and business scope of a practitioner of the latest technology tools in marine design, engineering and production. Armed with new methodologies and products, which offer a seamless link from the design and construction period into the post-delivery stages…

08 Oct 2001

High Tech Service Initiatives From Deltamarin

Finnish technical consultancy Deltamarin, in characteristically innovative style, is breaking new ground with the development of new computer-based services encompassing safety simulation and risk assessment, knowledge management and life-cycle support. Its latest endeavors form the basis of what it describes as contemporary configuration engineering and management, and extend the role and business scope of a practitioner of the latest technology tools in marine design, engineering and production. Armed with new methodologies and products, which offer a seamless link from the design and construction period into the post-delivery stages…

05 Dec 2001

AMCV Demise Sinks U.S. Cruise Building Hopes For Now

In the fall of 1999, American Classic Voyages (AMCV) announced plans to almost singlehandedly revive the business of building cruise ships in the United States. Critics claimed it couldn’t be done, but the ships steadily took shape on the building ways in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Two years, a sour economy and horrific terrorist attacks later, the dream of building cruise ships in the U.S. is seemingly dead, as AMCV filed for Chapter 11 and the Maritime Administration is unwilling, at press time, to fund the ships further. While the cruise industry was hurting prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, the industry has been put into a seemingly perpetual tailspin as economic woes and fear of travel have conspired to leave ships far from full capacity.

14 Dec 2001

Chapter 11 + Title XI + September 11 = Bad News for the Marine Industry

The recent confluence of three events, all strangely relating to the number 11, is presenting the U.S. shipbuilding industry with challenges greater than seen in many decades. American Classic Voyages (AMCV), owned by Chicago billionaire Sam Zell, is the nation's largest provider of Inland River and Hawaiian Island overnight cruises. In mid October, the company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy and that action has led the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to cancel its Title XI loan guarantee on the $1 billion construction program. Called Project America, the program would have built two 1,900-passenger cruise vessels for the Hawaiian Islands tourist market. With the financing guarantee cancelled, the shipyard has permanently stopped working on the two cruise vessels.

11 Jan 2002

Competition for Princess Cruises Heats Up With Arison Entry

Despite the less-than-stellar performance by the cruise industry during the last part of 2001, the industry more than had its fair share of newsmaking events — aside from the September 11 terrorist attacks — which ultimately exposed the fraility of this leisure sector. Beginnning with the demise of Renaissance Cruises almost immediately after the attacks, the industry suffered an additional blow in October when American Classic Voyages’ (AMCV’s) subsidiary U.S. Lines filed Chapter 11 — causing the dream of American cruiseship building to cease before it could even begin. These events, which were almost reminisicent of the faltering cruise industry of the 1970’s…

24 Jan 2002

Ferries Lead the Way

There are several quick conclusions you can draw about passenger boat construction in the new millennium. First it is a smaller market than 10 years ago with far fewer boats being built today than a decade ago. Secondly almost all of these vessels are built on the east or west coast. There are virtually no passenger boats being built in the south. Third, the number one vessel type being built is the ferryboat and more specifically the all-passenger ferry that shuttles people at 25 knots or better. In the years between 1987 and 1993 shipyards all over the country were building 600-passenger excursion-dinner boats in great numbers as sightseeing and dining vessels on America’s great rivers, lakes and bays became increasingly popular.

15 Apr 2002

U.S. Navy: AMCV Ships Are No Go

Subsequent to recent reports that the U.S. Navy had a vested interest in the half-completed cruise vessels for American Classic Voyages now-defunct U.S. Lines, the Navy has confirmed that it is no longer interested in pursuing the vessels, which are currently at Northrop Grumman in Pascagoula, Miss. According to Adm. Vernon Clark, the Navy had reached the decision after its engineers examined one of the ships at the yard. Clark confirmed the Navy's decision when he appeared before the Seapower Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee by simply stating that the ships were not suitable for Naval use.

08 May 2002

Carnival Corp. Charters Former AMCV Ship To Louis Cruises

The latest in the saga surrounding the remaining vessels of the American Classic Voyages' (AMCV's) fleet involves the vessel, which was formerly known as M/S Patriot. Carnival Corp.'s Holland America Line brand has entered into a long- term agreement to charter the cruise ship, which was also once known as m/s Nieuw Amsterdam, to Cypress-based Louis Cruises, which will subcharter the vessel to Thomson Holidays in the U.K. The vessel will be marketed as the Thomson Spirit. Holland America sold the vessel to U.S. Lines, a subsidiary of AMCV in 2000, which operated the ship in Hawaii under the name Patriot, however, it was reclaimed by Holland America in foreclosure proceedings earlier this year. The charter became effective yesterday.

30 Mar 2000

Pacific Coast To Supply For AMCV

Pacific Coast Maritime has been selected by Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding to provide the exterior doors and windows for the United States Lines cruise vessels currently under construction for parent company American Classic Voyages (AMCV). The contract calls for the supply of more than 1,200 doors for the private verandas and 600 windows, both of which will be of the heavy-duty clamp-in type.

31 Mar 2000

Pascagoula ... World’s Burgeoning Cruise Capitol?

Litton Ship Systems' Ingalls Shipbuilding division, located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with SeaAmerica Cruise Lines, Inc., based in Hollywood, Fla. Under the MOA, Litton and SeaAmerica will develop a ship design leading to contract negotiations for the construction of two 42,000-ton, 1,000 passenger cruise ships. The program will include options for two additional ships. Construction of the cruise vessels would utilize both of Litton Ship Systems' production facilities — Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula and Litton Avondale Industries in metro New Orleans, La., and maximizing the resources and experience of both shipyards to achieve operating synergies.

17 Apr 2000

Strategic Value Adding Purchasing

An effective purchasing strategy is at the core of successful purchasing departments. Strategies that offer total value to an organization should be the goal of all purchasing organizations. Purchasing professionals around the world are always in search of new strategies that creatively reduce costs and add previously unrealized value to an organization. Since motivating multi-company groups is difficult, the purchasing department must offer a clear strategy that offers value to all involved. Hence, Purchasing Programs, procuring products plus services, is a strategy that can be employed successfully to bring value to all involved. The theory of Purchasing Programs is to leverage vendors to offer products and services — whereas previously — vendors were only offering products.

11 May 2000

AMCV Elects Davison As VP - Finance

American Classic Voyages (AMCV), has appointed Nicholas J. Davison vice president, finance. Davison, who previously served as financial and operations officer with Cunard Line for more than 14 years, will be responsible for the corporate finance departments in both New Orleans and Hawaii, as well as the financial operations of all AMCV cruise vessels.

15 Jun 2000

From Madison Avenue To The Heat Of Miami

Since beginning his cruise industry career as Royal Caribbean's first ever marketing director — Roderick K. (Rod) McLeod has been an instrumental force in the cruise industry. He now heads up what is arguably the world’s most watched cruise ship newbuild program. Having a discussion with Rod McLeod is like talking to an old friend that you haven't been in touch with for awhile. Even though you may have not spoken for months — or even years — you always manage to find enough to talk about. That was the case when McLeod recently spoke with MR/EN regarding his current endeavors as president and COO of AMCV, as well as his past experiences — both professionally and personally.

14 Jul 2000

New & Notables

Derecktor Shipyards delivered its 299 ft. (91 m) high speed catamaran, Flying Cloud, to Woods Hole & Martha's Vineyard Steamship Authority. Completed one week ahead of schedule, the vessel will be used for year-round passenger and vehicle ferry service to the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Attaining an excess of 39 knots during sea trials, Flying Cloud demonstrated high stability and ride comfort due to its dynamic ride control system. Its service speed of 36 knots will allow the ferry to cross from Hyannis Port to Nantucket Island in less than one hour - significantly lower than the conventional two hour crossing time. Flying Cloud is powered by Paxman 12VP185 diesel engines driving Kamewa 71SII waterjets.

03 Aug 2000

Construction Commences On Milestone Cruise Vessel

Litton Ingalls kicked off the construction process of the first cruise ship to be built in the U.S. in 40 years, with a pre-July 4th ceremony at the yard's Pascagoula, Miss. headquarters celebrating the vessel's hull fabrication. Located among a patriotically-centered flag waving crowd was Uncle Sam, the yard's guest operator, who went aboard a plasma arc plate cutting machine to cut the initial steel plate for Project America Hull #1 — the first in a series of cruise ships built by Litton Ingalls for American Classic Voyages (AMCV). The commencing of the hull fabrication marked the start of the construction of the first of two 1,900-passenger cruise ships for AMCV.

19 Sep 2000

First Family of Design

The Tillberg name is synonymous with luxurious cruise ship design, often serving as the masterminds in the creation of images and themes that will capture the essence of the each vessel's itinerary and passenger base. MR/EN spoke with two generations of the Tillbergs — founder Robert — and son Tomas — to discuss their philosophies, ideas and creations for a business that is expediently working to meet the cruise industry's newbuild boom. From the time he was a young man attending college in Sweden, Tomas Tillberg longed for the day that he could join his father, Robert Tillberg, at work designing and dreaming up new ideas for the cruise ship industry.

19 Oct 2000

AMCV Secures Financing For Delta Queen Coastal Vessels

American Classic Voyages (AMCV) has issued $76.4 million of bonds guaranteed by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (MarAd). The financing will be utilized for the construction of two coastal cruise vessels that will be built at Atlantic Marine, Jacksonville, Fla., for Delta Queen Coastal Voyages - a subsidiary of AMCV. MarAd's guarantee is made possible under the authority of Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - it represents approximately 87.5 percent of the total anticipated cost of the two coastal vessels - which includes shipyard and design costs, vessel furniture and fixtures, and interest during construction and guarantee fees. The vessels covered under the funding are known as Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light.

19 Oct 2000

AMCV Secures Financing For Delta Queen Coastal Vessels

American Classic Voyages (AMCV) has issued $76.4 million of bonds guaranteed by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (MarAd). The financing will be utilized for the construction of two coastal cruise vessels that will be built at Atlantic Marine, Jacksonville, Fla., for Delta Queen Coastal Voyages - a subsidiary of AMCV. MarAd's guarantee is made possible under the authority of Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - it represents approximately 87.5 percent of the total anticipated cost of the two coastal vessels - which includes shipyard and design costs, vessel furniture and fixtures, and interest during construction and guarantee fees. The vessels covered under the funding are known as Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light.

20 Feb 2001

U.S. Lines' MS Patriot Challenges Cascade General

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.

08 Dec 2000

U.S. Lines' M.S. Patriot Is Christened In Hawaii

United States Lines' premiere vessel, the 1,212-passenger MS Patriot arrived on Thursday at its homeport of Honululu, Oahu as the newest and largest cruise vessel serving the Hawaiian Islands year-round. The vessel, which breaks a 40-year stagnation within the U.S. cruise ship industry, is scheduled to be christened today by Maggie Inouye, wife of Senator Daniel Inouye, who will perform the official dedication. Formerly known as Holland America's MS Nieuw Amsterdam, the vessel was purchased by American Classic Voyages (AMCV), by U.S. Lines parent company, AMCV for $114.5 million in 1999. Following an extensive refurbishment process,…

28 Nov 2000

AMCV Outlines Expansion Plans

American Classic Voyages Co., which is currently engaged in a high-profile effort to build cruise ships in the U.S., recently provided financial information on its expansion plans and its outlook for 2001. The 1,212-passenger ms Patriot, the first ship in American Classic Voyages' United States Lines fleet, just completed a $21 million refurbishment at Cascade General Shipyard in Portland, Oregon. The ship is in Los Angeles for the beginning of a series of inaugural activities that will introduce 6,000 travel agents to United States Lines. The ms Patriot will begin its permanent seven-night Hawaiian Island itinerary with its inaugural cruise on December 9.

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