New CEO at Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard
David E. Meehan has been appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of the Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard on the U.S. Atlantic Coast. He will replace Gunnar Skjelbred who has headed the yard since 2002. With the recent successful delivery of the first newbuild ship at the yard since 1972, Matson's container vessel Manukai, Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard has moved into a new stage. The new CEO and the team at the yard will now work to strengthen the foundation for a sustainable shipbuilding operation. "Key priorities will be to continue to improve the cost base and productivity, while at the same time working closely with potential customers to secure new shipbuilding contracts," David Meehan explained.
Union Questions Aker Philadelphia's Jones Act Compliance
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the AFL-CIO accused Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. of undercutting the struggling U.S. shipbuilding industry by using too many foreign-made components in its new vessels. Aker, formerly Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard, denied the allegations, and asserted it is leading the industry's rebirth by expanding its business using mostly local workers and suppliers. The war of words began after the labor federation's Metal Trades Department, representing about 600 Philadelphia shipyard workers, said Thursday that it was asking the Coast Guard to probe Aker's use of components and prefabricated parts from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and other South Korean companies.
