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Lcm News

26 Nov 2025

New Global Benchmark Ranks Top Container Ports Worldwide

Leading Container Ports of the World (LCP) report cover image. © DNV

Maritime transport carries close to 90 percent of global trade by volume, and container ports alone handle more than 80 percent of non-bulk merchandise. Today, these ports are undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rising trade flows, rapid advances in technology, and mounting pressure to meet climate targets.Against this backdrop, DNV and Menon Economics have introduced the industry’s first global container port ranking. The LCP report benchmarks 160 ports against 35 indicators grouped into five pillars: enablers…

03 Jul 2025

US Navy: Big or Small, Boats are Indispensable to the USN

Naval Special Warfare Combatant Craft Assault boats approach the well deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25).
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz

For the U.S. Navy, boats perform missions from mundane maintenance chores such as hull scraping and cleaning overboard discharges to clandestine special forces insertion and extraction. Some boats are about as basic as you can imagine, and some are equipped with sophisticated combat systems and weapons. Big or small, they all perform indispensable tasks for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.Boats that are carried on and launched from ships are referred to as “shipboard boats,” to distinguish them from boats based at installations ashore.

24 Jun 2024

Navy Combat Craft - Boats Evolve to Keep Pace with Threats

Ghost, a high-speed stealth boat that was nearly cancelled, has been resurrected.  The low-observable Ghost is a SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) vessel with a speed of up to 35 knots and a very shallow draft.   General Dynamics Mission Systems has teamed with Juliet Marine Systems to make Ghost configurable as a manned, remote control, and unmanned platform and to integrate the modular payload capability for a broad spectrum of missions. Photo courtesy General Dynamics Mission Systems

Combat craft are used by both large and small navies, and every navy, coast guard or maritime service operates some kind of boats.The U.S. Navy’s boats are used for a variety of tasks from personnel and cargo transport to ship repair and maintenance to environmental response.The combat craft range from pull sized patrol boats down to ridged-hull inflatable boats (RIBs) armed with machine guns. Boats include shipboard RIBs, maritime security boats, dive support boats, workboats…

04 Jun 2024

Vigor Begins Building the US Army's New Landing Craft

(Image: Vigor)

Pacific Northwest shipbuilder Vigor on Tuesday announced it has begun low rate initial production (LRIP) on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light) (MSV(L)) vessel at its facility in Vancouver, Wash.The new generation 117-foot U.S. Army landing craft, which replaces the Vietnam-era Landing Craft Mechanized 8 (LCM-8), is designed to support Army Mariners and their payload in even the most difficult environments due to its state-of-the-art maneuverability and stability.Vigor was originally awarded the contract in 2017 and secured the Vancouver, Wash.

06 Nov 2023

MAN Energy Solutions and Doen WaterJets Partner for Australian Military Tender

MAN 175D engine (source MAN)

MAN Energy Solutions and Doen WaterJets (DOEN) have agreed to join forces to offer a fully integrated propulsion system solution to the Australian Army’s LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel Phase 1A (LMV-M) program.The program aims to acquire a medium landing craft suitable for a range of missions in Australia’s northern waters and beyond.The cooperation spans the full product lifecycle including propulsion system design, integrated logistics support and commissioning, through…

10 Oct 2023

Inspirit Completes CWind Acquisition

(Image: Inspirit Capital)

U.K. investment firm Inspirit Capital announced it has completed the carve-out of CWind, a provider of offshore wind support services, from Global Marine Group.CWind completes approximately 60,000 crew transfers annually, utilizing its fleet of crew transfer vessels (CTV), including the world’s first hybrid surface effect ship, CWind Pioneer. The company has operated in support of more than 50 U.K. and European offshore wind farms since 2010.London-based Inspirit Capital specializes…

22 Dec 2022

NR Marine Services Orders CTV from Diverse Marine

(Image: Diverse Marine)

U.K.-based NR Marine Services has placed an order with compatriot shipbuilder Divers Marine for a new new crew transfer vessel (CTV) to service the offshore wind industry. This newbuild, to be named NR Predator, will be a first of class Diverse Marine 27-meter CTV featuring a traditional catamaran hull form that has been CFD tested and optimized to provide class-leading seakeeping coupled with reduced fuel consumption and emissions, the builder said.This vessel is being built as "hybrid ready" with an insulated generator space ready to receive generators and batteries.

12 Oct 2022

Vigor Launches MSV(L) Prototype for the US Army

The MSV(L) will replace the Landing Craft Mechanized-8, (LCM-8,) a Vietnam-era watercraft. It is the first major Army watercraft acquisition in more than 20 years. The current Army Acquisition Objective is to build 13 vessels. (Photo: Vigor)

U.S. shipbuilder Vigor launched the first in a series of modernized landing craft for the U.S. Army at its  fabrication facility in Vancouver, Wash.The Maneuver Support Vessel (Light), or MSV(L), will replace the Landing Craft Mechanized-8, (LCM-8,) a Vietnam-era watercraft that is unable to transport some of today's equipment due to the weight of modern combat vehicles. Designed with increased payload capability, increased speed and maneuverability, and improved draft, the MSV(L) will improve the speed and effectiveness of the Army’s dynamic force repositioning in inter-coastal areas…

17 Sep 2019

Vigor Lays Keel for Next Gen Landing Craft

Photo: Vigor

Representatives from the U.S. Army and federal and local elected officials joined Vigor for a keel laying ceremony, celebrating the first milestone in the construction of the Army’s next generation landing craft, the Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) or MSV(L).The nearly billion dollar contract to build MSV(L) was awarded to Vigor in October, 2017. The new design, developed in partnership with BMT, improves the capabilities of the current LCM-8 and provides the optimal combination of performance…

14 Sep 2018

MJP to Supply Waterjets for New US Army Landing Craft

(Image: MJP)

Shipbuilder Vigor has selected Marine Jet Power (MJP) as the propulsion provider for the U.S. Army’s new Maneuver Support Vessel (Light), MSV(L) vessels.Vigor was awarded the 10-year, $979,390,000 MSV(L) contract in 2017 to construct a new generation of landing craft to replace the existing LCM-8 Mike boats.The new vessels will feature triple drive MJP 750 DRB waterjets, constructed from duplex stainless steel and offering the latest advancements in MJP’s proprietary mixed flow technology. The propulsion package has been optimized to fit the needs of the U.S.

20 Feb 2018

Fincantieri Lays Keel for Italy’s New Amphibious Unit

(Photo: Fincantieri)

A keel laying ceremony of the multipurpose amphibious unit (LHD or Landing Helicopter Dock) was held Tuesday at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, marking the beginning of the slipway works of the unit. The new unit will be delivered in 2022 and it falls within the naval program of the maritime capability of Defense, approved by the Italian Government and Parliament and started in May 2015. The LHD will be classified by RINA Services pursuant international conventions about prevention of pollution regarding the more traditional aspects…

02 Oct 2017

Vigor to Build US Army Landing Craft

(Image: Vigor)

The U.S. Army has chosen the Vigor design for its Maneuver Support Vessel (Light), MSV(L), a new generation of landing craft to replace the aging LCM-8 Mike boats. “This award is the culmination of a five year process of research and development that first began with Kvichak prior to its merger with Vigor,” said Frank Foti, Vigor CEO. The Vigor MSV(L) design was developed in partnership with BMT following a detailed study of the Army’s unique needs and the available design options to fulfill those needs.

03 Mar 2016

New SOLAS Compliant Container Weighing System

Photo: LCM Systems

In response to the new SOLAS regulations due to enter force on July 1, 2016, LCM Systems has launched a new fully SOLAS compliant container weighing system. The company said it has been supplying container weighing systems for around five years with more than 40 system sold to date, and have utilized this experience to design a flexible modular system that can be easily and quickly retrofitted onto straddle carriers, container cranes and telehandlers. The new system verifies the container weight in real-time to an accuracy of 1 percent of rated load…

22 Oct 2014

Australia Join Operation RENDER SAFE

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have arrived in Bougainville to address a potentially deadly legacy posed by unexploded ordnance from past conflicts as part of Operation RENDER SAFE 2014. HMAS Choules is in the vicinity of Torokina carrying approximately 500 personnel and is equipped with an MRH90 Helicopter and an LCM-8 Landing craft. The Operation RENDER SAFE 2014 Commander, Captain (CAPT) Jay Bannister, says his team is looking forward to the task. “The operation has been months in the planning, involving both Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” CAPT Bannister said. “The people of Bougainville have been most welcoming and we have been working very closely with them to identify explosive remnants of war which pose a threat to local communities.

24 Apr 2014

Port Launches Emergency Landing Craft

Photo courtesy Port of Long Beach

Port of Long Beach officials welcomed a new addition to their small fleet of boats this week with the delivery of a refurbished and retrofitted landing craft that will strengthen their emergency recovery capabilities. Donated to the Port by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the Landing Craft Mechanized Mark 8, or LCM-8 underwent 12 months of renovations to add cleaner engines, a salvage crane and a galley. The renovations cost $1.5 million and were primarily funded by the California Port and Maritime Security Grant Program.

08 Jul 2013

Custom Wireless Telemetry Mooring Link Load Cell from LCM

With a range of ex-stock bow shackle load cells, U.K. load cell manufacturer and supplier LCM Systems is able to offer next day delivery on its range of standard TELSHACK-B load cells. However, sometimes the off-the-shelf solution isn’t quite right for a customers’ specific application and it’s here where LCM’s in-house design team and extensive experience in customizing load cells gives LCM a competitive advantage. This happened recently when a multinational marine engineering company in Canada enquired about the TELSHACK-B load cell. They liked the principle of a wireless telemetry shackle, but wanted to measure ship docking tension on a winch.

11 Aug 2011

Kvichak Delivers five MPFs to the Navy

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, WA, recently delivered five Military Preposition Force (MPF) utility boats to the United States Navy, completing their final contract order. Kvichak has delivered a total of 33 MPFs to the Navy since February 2006. The 40’ high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. The 40’ x 14’ landing craft have a loaded flank speed of ~38 knots and a lightened flank speed of ~42 knots.

04 Oct 2010

U.S. Navy Awards Kvichak Contract for More Utility Boats

Photo courtesy Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc.

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., was recently awarded a contract by the United States Navy for the construction of five each MPF utility boats following the successful delivery of 26 vessels since February 2006. The 40-ft high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. The 40-ft by 14-ft landing craft have a loaded flank speed of ~38 knots and a lightened flank speed of ~42 knots.

06 Apr 2010

Kvichak Marine Delivers Utility Boats

Photo courtesy Kvichak Marine Industries

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., recently delivered three MPF/UB-40 utility boats for the U.S. Navy. Two remaining boats in the five boat order are under construction. A total of 21 vessels have already been delivered to the Navy and are in operation. The 40-ft high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. The 40-ft x 14-ft landing craft have a loaded flank speed of about 38 knots and a lightened flank speed of about 42 knots.

14 Jul 2009

Kvichak Contract for Navy MPF Utility Boats

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc., of Seattle, Wa., was recently awarded a contract by the United States Navy for the construction of five each MPF utility boats following the successful delivery of 21 utility boats since February 2006. The 40 ft high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. The landing craft have a loaded cruise speed of about 25 knots and a lightened flank speed of about 30 knots.

12 Nov 2008

ST Engineering $200m Contract

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) announced that its marine arm, Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine), has secured a contract in a basket of currencies amounting to about S$200m, to design and build a 141m Landing Platform Dock (LPD), two 23m Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM) and two 13m Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP), for a navy in the Asia Pacific region. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid 2009 and delivery is planned for in 2H 2012. This contract is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engineering for the current financial year. (www.stengg.com)

16 Sep 2003

LCM Sued by BAX

Lion Contract Management (LCM), LLC, operators of a web-based ocean contract management system that allows customers an affordable solution to manage, search and quote contract rates within the Ocean Transportation industry, has been sued by BAX Global (Parent company: The Pittson Company/Brinks). The lawsuit, filed by BAX Global, states that LCM has misappropriated property that belongs to BAX. LCM representatives state they have sufficient evidence to prove in a court of law that they have not misappropriated any property as alleged by BAX and feel that BAX Global’s efforts are just a continuance of moves made by them to fund their struggling company and dilute competitors. Some LCM board members were previously employed by BAX Global and are named in the lawsuit.

31 Aug 2007

Kvichak Constructing Four MPF Boats

Kvichak Marine Industries is currently constructing four each MPF utility boats for the United States Navy. The 40-ft. high-speed landing craft replace the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. These four craft were ordered after the successful completion and delivery of 10 MPF utility boats to the Navy in early 2007. The 40 x 14 ft. landing craft have a loaded cruise speed of ~25 knots and a lightened flank speed of ~40 knots. The propulsion package includes: twin Cummins QSM11 engines rated for 660hp at 2300 rpm, ZF 325 marine gears, and Hamilton 364 water jets.