Island Transportation News

Shipbuilder Austal Vietnam announced Wednesday that it has launched a new high-speed catamaran built at the company’s shipyard in Vung Tau for the Degage Group of French Polynesia.The 66-meter Apetahi Express is undergoing final fit-out, prior to sea trials which are due to commence in May. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in June 2023. The new ferry is anticipated to commence operations between Pape’ete (Tahiti) and Vaitape (Bora Bora) in French Polynesia in July 2023.Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said…

A Mackinac Island passenger ferry will be converted to zero-emissions electric power with the help of a $3.06 million award from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Fuel Transformation Program (FTP) Part 2.Star Line, now known as the Mackinac Island Ferry Company (MIFC), will replace two 1988 diesel engines with two brand new electric propulsion motors on a ferry, the Chippewa, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 14,152 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents and 887 metric tons of nitrogen oxides over the boat’s lifetime.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the designation of nine Marine Highway Projects and a Marine Highway Route that will benefit Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and American Samoa. Marine highways are navigable waterways that can be used as alternate options to traditional shipping methods. “The designation of marine highways by Congress will help move cargo and people to help grow the economy and shift freight off of congested highways,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Conrad Shipyard held the Keel Laying Ceremony for the four Damen Stan 3711 Kāpena Class tugs now under construction for Young Brothers, Limited of Hawaii. On hand for the ceremony was Glenn Hong, President of Young Brothers, Ltd; Jonathan Parrott, President of Foss Marine, Young Brothers’ sister company; and, Tim Engle and Mark Tabbutt with Saltchuk, the parent company of both. Also attending and delivering remarks was Kommer Damen, Chairman and CEO of Damen Shipyard, and Jim Watson, President of ABS Americas. A number of local officials were also present, including Morgan City Mayor Frank P. Grizzaffi III, Port Director Mac Wade and Councilman Lou Tamporello. Dan Conrad, Senior Vice President Conrad Shipyard served as moderator.

The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring salvage attempts Wednesday of the Bald Head Island Ferry Adventure, which ran aground Tuesday in the vicinity of Battery Island near Southport, N.C. Personnel from Bald Head Island Transportation attempted to refloat the Adventure at approximately 10:30 a.m. Wednesday during high tide without success. The owner of Bald Head Island Transportation is working to submit a salvage plan of the Adventure for Coast Guard approval before any additional action is taken.

Providing auxiliary hydrogen power to docked or anchored ships may soon be added to the list of ways in which hydrogen fuel cells can provide efficient, emissions-free energy. Hydrogen fuel cells are already powering mobile lighting systems, forklifts, emergency backup systems and light-duty trucks, among other applications. Now, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have found that hydrogen fuel cells may be both technically feasible and commercially attractive as a clean, quiet and efficient power source for ships at berth, replacing on-board diesel generators.

VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., launched a 95-foot sea-going ferry from its Mississippi-based Pascagoula Operations. Christened the Caribeña, the all-aluminum vessel was designed and built by VT Halter Marine for the Puerto Rico Port Authority. Capable of carrying 272 passengers, the Caribeña will provide inter- island transportation for the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra Ferry Line. It will be U.S. Coast Guard classed sub-chapter “K” and U.S. flagged. VT Halter Marine plans to complete and deliver the Caribeña during the second quarter of 2004. It could take 10 or more days to make the 1600- mile trip to the Caribeña’s home at the Port of Fajardo, a city located on the east side of the Island of Puerto Rico.

VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., has launched a 95-ft sea-going ferry from its Mississippi-based Pascagoula Operations. Christened the Caribeña, the all-aluminum vessel was designed and built by VT Halter Marine for the Puerto Rico Port Authority. Capable of carrying 272 passengers, the Caribeña will provide inter- island transportation for the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra Ferry Line. It will be U.S. Coast Guard classed sub-chapter "K" and U.S. flagged. VT Halter Marine plans to complete and deliver the Caribeña during the second quarter of 2004. It could take 10 or more days to make the 1600- mile trip to the Caribeña's home at the Port of Fajardo, a city located on the east side of the Island of Puerto Rico.

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. "As many of you are aware, an earthquake struck the Hawaiian Islands this morning. The undersea quake, which was centered off of the island of Hawaii (the "Big Island"), struck at 7:07 am local time and was followed by a series of smaller aftershocks. Thankfully, initial reports indicate that casualties were limited and that there were no fatalities. As always, A&B stands ready to assist and support its employees, customers and fellow Hawaii citizens in dealing with the aftermath of the quake. "Fortunately, A&B's operations and real estate properties avoided any serious interruptions or damage as a result of the earthquake, and our terminal operations and agricultural facilities continue to operate.

While the market news from the passenger vessel industry has been anything but bright, a few shipyards are building new facilities to better serve their customer base. One of the best examples is Island Boats, Jeanerette, La., Island Boats formerly was located on a very dry patch of land overlooking Highway 90 near New Iberia, La. . After construction, their vessels had to be trucked to the Port of Iberia, several miles away. "The cost to us and inconvenience to others in the Port was becoming a major problem as our boats got bigger," said Miles Thomas, president of the firm. The firm solved this problem in May by moving to a six acre plot of land that backs up to Bayou Teche, approximately eight miles from the Baldwin Canal that has direct access to the Intercoastal waterway.

VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., announced today that it was selected by the Puerto Rico Port Authority (PRPA) to design and build a $2.8 million sea-going passenger ferry. The 95-ft., all-aluminum vessel, with a 24-ft. beam, and five foot, six-inch draft will be U.S. Coast Guard classed sub-chapter “K” and U.S. flagged. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration will provide financial aid to the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority. Construction will take place at VT Halter Marine’s Pascagoula Operation located in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Delivery of the ferry is expected to be in the second quarter of 2004. The inter-island transportation ferry will operate and service the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra Ferry Line.