Launch Services News

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued an Expression of Interest inviting interested parties to submit proposals to design and promote the adoption of full-electric harbour craft in Singapore.The Ministry of Transport announced this year that the harbour craft, pleasure craft and tug boat sectors would be required to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in line with Singapore’s national net zero ambitions. To support this goal, operators with new harbour craft plans should inform the MPA about their plans from January 2027, so that the designs can be adjusted if required.

Metal Shark delivered a welded-aluminum 45 Defiant crew boat to Anchorage Launch Services Company, an Oregon-based operator providing launch, line, pilotage, and cargo services to vessels on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.Designed in-house by the Metal Shark engineering team and built at the company’s Jeanerette, La., production facility, the 47 x 12 ft. twin-diesel waterjet-powered “Triumph VII” is now in service.“Our captains, crew, and passengers have all been very impressed with the capabilities of our new vessel,” said Alex Scott, COO of Anchorage Launch.

A bow extension will allow Cape Henry Launch Services' workboat Delta Escape to push up against offshore wind turbines to support the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) pilot program off Virginia Beach.Naval architecture and marine engineering firm DLBA, a division of Gibbs & Cox, said it was recently engaged to complete the structural design for the project.The bow was built out of aluminum, and added on to the existing aluminum hull structure. The DLBA team created the push…

Delta Launch Services, the operating company for the Associated Branch pilots on the SW Pass of the Mississippi, has taken delivery of a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built for the Delta pilots by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard.The new launch, a sister-ship to the Assistant delivered in 2018, measures of 52.6’ overall, with a beam of 16.11’ and a draft of 4.8’. The all-aluminum pilot boat features the Ray Hunt Designs Deep-V hull.

Delta Launch Services has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard. Delivery of the new 52-footer is scheduled for July 2020.The new launch measures of 52.6’ overall, with a beam of 16.11’ and a draft of 4.8’, the all-aluminum pilot boat features the Ray Hunt Designs Deep-V hull. It will be powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 EPA Tier 3 diesel engines, each delivering 671 Bhp at 2100 rpm and a top speed of 24 knots.

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries successfully delivered UAE Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre’s (MBRSC) KhalifaSat satellite into orbit via the H-IIA launch vehicle F40.The launch vehicle trajectory was executed as planned, and at about 24 minutes after liftoff, separation of the KhalifaSat satellite was confirmed.This mission was performed along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite-2 “GOSAT-2” satellite, in which the separation of the GOSAT-2 satellite was also confirmed 16 minutes after liftoff.KhalifaSat is the first national satellite manufactured by the UAE, thus the mission should prove to be a great step towards UAE’s mid-and-long term plans in government space activities and industries.Additionally…

Delta Launch Services, the operating company for the Associated Branch pilots on the SW Pass of the Mississippi, has taken delivery of a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. The new 52-footer is the fifth St. John’s Class launch built by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard for the Delta pilots.The new all-aluminum launch, a sister-ship to the Mississippi Delta delivered in 2013, measures 52.6’ overall, with a beam of 16.11’ and a draft of 4.8’. The boat features the C.

MobileOps, Inc. said it has signed a deal with Australia’s Hedland Launch Service Pty Ltd. The marine services and vessel operator will utilize the MobileOps Platform across its Port Hedland Harbor based fleet to bolster safety, maintenance and regulatory initiatives. The MobileOps Platform is a cloud-based subscription solution that includes both a web application and an offline-capable iPad application called Voyager. “After watching a live demo we were sold within five minutes,” said Ken McCorry, Managing Director at Hedland Launch.

The Vane Brothers Company (Baltimore, MD) introduced VANE LAUNCH, a new division that builds on the company’s existing launch service offerings, a division designed to be synergistic with Vane Brothers’ bunkering operations. “Though launch services have long been a part of the Vane Brothers catalogue, the emergence of VANE LAUNCH signals a new era of expansion and increased commitment to this important business segment,” said C. Duff Hughes, President, Vane Brothers. The Vane Brothers Company…

Delta Launch Services, the operating company for the Associated Branch pilots on the SW Pass of the Mississippi, has ordered a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. Delivery of the new 52-footer, scheduled for 2018, is the fifth St. John’s Class launch built for the Delta pilots by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard. The new launch, a sister-ship to the Mississippi, delivered in 2013, measures of 52.6’ overall, with a beam of 16.11’ and a draft of 4.8’, the all-aluminum pilot boat features the C. Raymond Hunt-designed Deep V hull.

North River Boats’ formula for success: anchored in a diverse portfolio and customer base. Tucked away in Roseburg, Ore., North River Boats began simply enough in 1974 by building jet powered boats to run shallow, technical white water rivers. Over time, the company also developed a solid reputation for jet boat designs. Later, as sport fishing regulations, seasons, and species evolved, North River expanded to build deep vee outboard powered recreational boats to fish larger rivers, estuaries and the ocean. The firm is also known for another reason: its diversified production of hulls, delivered to an equally wide range of clients, both domestic and foreign.

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today confirmed that the third satellite in the transformational Global Xpress (GX) programme – Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) – has been scheduled for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.44pm (BST) on Friday 28th August. The third Global Xpress satellite to be launched, I-5 F3, will cover the Pacific Ocean Region and will, together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and Inmarsat-5 F2, create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single provider. Inmarsat’s 5th generation satellites have all been built by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. in California.

Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has confirmed that the third satellite in the transformational Global Xpress (GX) program – Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) – has been scheduled for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.44pm (BST) on Friday, August 28. The third Global Xpress satellite to be launched, I-5 F3, will cover the Pacific Ocean Region and will, together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and Inmarsat-5 F2, create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single provider.

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, will complete another significant milestone in the delivery of its transformational global mobile satellite communications (GX) service with the scheduled launch of Inmarsat-5 F2 (I-5 F2) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.31pm (GMT) on Sunday 1st February. Inmarsat is investing US$1.6bn in the delivery of Global Xpress, which will create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single network operator. Inmarsat’s 5th generation satellites – which form the GX network – have all been built by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. (“Boeing”) in California.

Eyeing strong growth in China-Myanmar trade, State-owned China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and MCC Transport, a subsidiary of AP Moeller-Maersk Group, plan to launch services direct services from Shanghai to Yangon on January 25. CSCL and MCC Transport will deploy smaller vessels without having to transfer cargo along the way. Market observers say that both container shipping lines are poised to exploit strong trade growth between China and Myanmar. With an estimated journey time of 12 to 14 days, the service will help the traders to avoid cargo transfers in Singapore or Malaysia, thus saving time and offering increased predictability for shipment schedules.

Globalstar, Inc. announce that 6 second-generation Globalstar satellites were successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch services provider Arianespace confirmed that the upper stage accurately injected the six second-generation satellites into their targeted low earth orbit of approximately 920 km. Globalstar reports that all six satellites have been successfully acquired following separation from the Dispenser and Fregat Upper Stage. Globalstar expects to place these final six second-generation satellites into commercial service by this summer…

Intelsat S.A., a provider of satellite services, with International Launch Services (ILS) announced that an ILS Proton vehicle successfully launched the Intelsat 22 satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. After a 15 hour and 30 minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the Intelsat 22 satellite, weighing 6199 kg, into supersynchronous transfer orbit (SSTO) at a 65,000 km apogee. Built by Boeing Satellite Systems, the satellite will provide C- and Ku-band capacity for media, government and network services customers in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Joint venture with Al Bakri Group set to create leading maritime and cargo services business in the region. Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world’s leading maritime services provider, today announced the launch of new operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The move provides ISS with a significant presence in one of the largest industrial and project-orientated economies within the Middle East. In creating the new entity, ISS has signed a joint venture agreement (JV) with Al Bakri Group, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading and most respected organisations. The JV, known as ISS Saudi Arabia will provide customers with marine, cargo and government services as well as survey and liner agency; all specifically tailored to meet the precise needs of each customer’s business.

Inmarsat (LSE: ISAT), provider of global mobile satellite communications services, announced that it has agreed a contract with The Boeing Company for the delivery of three state-of-the-art 702HP Ka-band satellites. The Inmarsat-5 constellation will enable Inmarsat to provide a unique global high speed mobile broadband service offering. With operations expected to start in 2014, Inmarsat-5 will support a next generation global service, Global Xpress, which will target a $1.4b incremental market opportunity in VSAT services. Global Xpress will address the established, growing markets for VSAT services in the Maritime, Energy and Government sectors, with further growth potential in developing markets such as the Aeronautical sector.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The following reflects the results of Iridium Communications Inc. for the second quarter of 2010 compared to those of Iridium Holdings LLC (predecessor) for the second quarter of 2009. -    Total billable subscribers grew 16.8%, reaching approximately 383,000 – up from approximately 328,000 at the end of the comparable quarter last year. Growth occurred across all product areas. -    Commercial service revenue increased 13.8% to $45.5 million in the second quarter compared to $40.0 million during the second quarter of 2009. For the first half of the year, commercial service revenue was up 12.5% over the first half of 2009.

Art Anderson Associates has been awarded a contract to design all-aluminum 52 ft. (15.8 m) pilot boat for Delta Launch Services of Pilottown, La. Besides ferrying pilots to and from ships, the vessel will be U.S. Coast Guard certified as a passenger vessel under subchapter T. It will be powered by twin Detroit Diesel 8V2000 engines, rated at 645-hp each via propellers. The pilot vessel, which is the first of its kind in the U.S., is modeled after the high-tech Stolkraft patented hull form. Subsequent to spending nearly two years scrutinizing this hull form by the Associated Branch Pilots of Pilottown, Stolkraft's attributes were confirmed when they traveled to Australia for a test ride on a similar boat operated by the Fremantle Pilots.

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) launched new operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, providing ISS with a presence in one of the largest industrial and project-orientated economies within the Middle East. In creating the new entity, ISS has signed a joint venture agreement (JV) with Al Bakri Group of Saudi Arabia. The JV, known as ISS Saudi Arabia will provide customers with marine, cargo and government services as well as survey and liner agency; all specifically tailored to meet the precise needs of each customer’s business. ISS Saudi Arabia will also operate launch services off Rastanura. All services are available to customers 24/7, and are supported by ISS’s global network, systems, infrastructure and standard operating procedures.

First Choice Marine Supply announces it now offers launch services in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina. First Choice now handles all scheduling and pricing of launch services including personnel, spares in transit or deck and engine supplies. President Greg Nielsen said, “We are excited about this new expansion. Our company has been supplying services into Charleston for quite some time. Available equipment includes 100 ft by 32 ft ramp barges, lugger tug and crew, and a 125 ton barge mounted crane. Services are naturally available 24/7. First Choice Marine Supply also has offices in Savannah, Georgia, Freeport, Bahamas and Tampa, Florida.