Prime Contractor News

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)’s next icebreaker is based on a German research vessel, features a unique Finnish propulsion design and is driven by American diesels, shipbuilder VT Halter Marine said.The U.S. Department of the Navy has awarded VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Mississippi, as the prime contractor of a $745,940,860 fixed-price incentive-firm contract for the detail design and construction of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) PSC (formerly the Heavy Polar Icebreaker).VT Halter Marine is teamed with Technology Associates, Inc.

The newbuild multi-purpose frigate Antonio Marceglia was handed over to the Italian Navy at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano on Tuesday, April 16.It is the eighth of a series of 10 vessels of the European Multi-Mission Frigates (FREMM) programme.FREMM is part of the international Italian-French program, coordinated by OCCAR (the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation).Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51% Fincantieri and 49% Leonardo) is the prime contractor for Italy in the FREMM program…

The U.S. Navy awarded the contract to execute the Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) for the USS Coronado (LCS-4) to Vigor. Work will be performed at Vigor’s Portland shipyard.The award is the latest in a series of awards in Vigor’s growing Navy repair program and is Vigor’s first as prime contractor in the Littoral Combat Ship program. Other recent Vigor projects with the U.S. Navy include the execution of the Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) for the USS Kidd (DDG 100) at the Everett Naval Station and the DSRA for the USS Sampson (DDG 102) in Vigor’s Seattle…

The launching ceremony of the “Spartaco Schergat” frigate, the ninth of a series of 10 FREMM vessels – Multi Mission European Frigates, took place at the integrated shipyard of Riva Trigoso (Genoa). The 10 FREMM vessels have been commissioned to Fincantieri by the Italian Navy within the framework of an Italo-French cooperation program under the coordination of OCCAR (Organization Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).Godmother of the ceremony was Mrs.

Belgium Naval & Robotics has launched an industrial offer anchored in Belgium to respond to a call for tenders issued by the Belgian and Dutch navies for the supply of 12 mine hunters.Belgium Naval & Robotics offers the Belgian Navy a solution whose prime contractor is in Brussels and involves many local players spread throughout the country."This partnership with FSR illustrates our strong relationship with the Belgian Defense Technological and Industrial Base and our desire to build a long-term relationship with the Belgian and Dutch Navies…

Austal celebrated the christening of Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) the future USNS Puerto Rico (EPF 11) with a ceremony at its shipbuilding facility this morning. Puerto Rico is the eleventh of 12 EPFs that Austal has under contract with the U.S. Navy with a combined value of over $1.9 billion.Nine Spearhead-class EPFs have been delivered and are serving as an affordable solution to fulfilling the Military Sealift Command’s requirements worldwide. The future USNS Burlington is scheduled for delivery to the Navy later this month and two more EPFs…

The sole prime contractor for the entire mid-life refit of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, Naval Group, said it has returned the vessel to the French Navy. The vessel will now start ramping up its systems before returning to its operational cycle.Designed and built by Naval Group and entering service in 2001, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, further to its modernization, has now entered the technological era of the 21st century. This mid-life refit included unprecedented renovations and a density of work that gave the project a level of complexity unseen until now.

MAN Energy Solutions has selected Nova Scotia-based simulation and training software developer, Modest Tree, to develop a virtual reality training solution for the engines onboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships under construction at Halifax Shipyard.The virtual reality training solution, the first of its kind in the marine sector, will train the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy to operate and maintain the ship’s engines.Each Arctic and Offshore…

The United States’ fifth largest shipbuilder Austal USA has opened a new operations office in San Diego on Wednesday, in a move that aims to improve existing local support capabilities to the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF) programs.“Today’s opening is a direct reflection of the company’s commitment to provide the U.S. Navy, not only exceptional ships, but outstanding service and support for the life of the ship,” explaiend Austal USA president, Craig Perciavalle.

Austal USA received the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) Excellence in Safety award during SCA’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.SCA, the national association representing the U.S. shipyard industry, honors companies with annual safety awards for enhancement of operations and promotion of safety and accident prevention. Austal USA is one of 19 SCA member companies to receive awards for continued advancement of employee safety in the shipyard industry this year.“Shipyards are complex work environments and safety of employees is critical,” said Matthew Paxton, President of the SCA.

One of the world’s leading shipbuilders, Luerssen, has teamed with Australian engineering and construction firm Civmec to create a new force in naval shipbuilding and exports. The joint venture, Australian Maritime Shipbuilding & Export Group (AMSEG), will partner Luerssen Australia, the prime contractor and designer for the Australian Government’s Offshore Patrol Vessel program, with West Australian-based Civmec, soon to list on the Australian Stock Exchange. It is intended that AMSEG will play a significant role in the build of ten OPVs in Henderson…

The state of Rhode Island announced it will provide $20 million in incentives to General Dynamics Electric Boat to help the submarine builder expand its facilities.The infrastructure investment announced today by Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo will allow Electric Boat to accelerate the hiring of 1,300 new employees over the next decade as the builder is slated to produce 29 Virginia Class Submarines and 12 Columbia Class submarines for the U.S. Navy.Over the next 10 years…

Shipbuilder Austal USA announced today it has acquired privately held ElectraWatch, Inc. in an all cash stock purchase. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., ElectraWatch develops and deploys portable probe devices that help maintain aluminum structures. According to Austal USA, the acquisition reinforces its position in aluminum ship manufacturing and sustainment and extends its ability to support the U.S. Navy fleet where nearly every ship includes aluminum structures. “The…

The frigate Federico Martinengo was delivered to the Italian Navy at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia. The ship is the seventh of a series of 10 FREMM vessels of the FREMM program – Multi Mission European Frigates – commissioned to Fincantieri as part of the international Italian-French program, coordinated by OCCAR (the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation). Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51 percent Fincantieri and 49 percent Leonardo) is the prime contractor for Italy in the FREMM program…

Dongara Marine has delivered Australia’s largest capacity high-speed lobster boat, the 85-foot Holdfast.With capacity for 210 baskets or 6.2 metric tons of live lobster, Holdfast is the fourth 20+ meter lobster boat in as many years to be designed by Southerly Designs, joining Ohana (2015), Daydawn (2016), and Gambler (2017).Although not the lead builder for the Daydawn and Gambler projects, Dongara Marine played a key role as the manufacturer of their resin-infused composite wheelhouses.

Saab announced it has signed a A$24.2 million (US$18.5 million) contract with ASC for supply of an updated Integrated Ship Control Management and Monitoring System (ISCMMS) for four Royal Australian Navy Collins class submarines. ISCMMS provides maneuvering and fully integrated ship management of propulsion, trim, power generation and ship services. Deliverables under the contract include updated hardware and spares that addresses obsolescence issues and maintains regional superiority edge for the Australian submarines.

Rolls-Royce. The words have been used by many to signify excellence – though not with the company’s permission, of course. Rolls-Royce Marine is taking a leading position in developing and introducing the systems and technologies needed for the running of a successful business in the maritime industry of the 21st century. At a company presentation held in London earlier this year, Mikael Mäkinen, President of Rolls-Royce Marine, outlined the company’s vision for the future and its strategies to put these new systems based on new technologies into place.

Iridium has launched 10 of its Iridium NEXT satellites US aboard a SpaceX rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. This payload of 10 satellites was deployed into low-Earth orbit, approximately one hour after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg, at 1:25pm PDT (20:25 UTC). With this launch complete, there are now 20 Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit, establishing the infrastructure for groundbreaking technologies such as Iridium Certus and Aireon's space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) aircraft tracking and surveillance service.

Iridium Communications has announced the successful third launch and deployment of 10 Iridium NEXT satellites. The satellites were delivered into low-Earth orbit approximately one hour after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 5:37 a.m. PDT. With two successful launches having already been completed this year, this third batch of 10 satellites brings the total number of Iridium NEXT satellites in orbit to 30, nearly half the amount required for a full Iridium NEXT operational constellation.

A new partnership between Cammell Laird and BAE Systems aims to position the companies to build five Type 31e Frigates for the U.K. Royal Navy. The Teaming Agreement has been formed in response to the U.K. Ministry of Defense Request for Information and will now be part of a competitive tender process. Under the agreement, Cammell Laird will act as Prime Contractor to build the Type 31e Frigates with BAE Systems providing warship design, engineering capability and combat systems expertise.

The much awaited announcement for the replacement to the current Armidale Class patrol boats was announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Russell Offices in Canberra. Lürssen was named as the prime contractor for the 12 new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) with the Australian PV80 variant. It will be 80 metres in length with a displacement of 1700 tonnes and a draught of 4 metres. The vessels will be fitted with a 40mm gun for self-protection, three 8.4m sea boats, state of the art sensors as well as command and communication systems.

Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri has launched the FREMM Frigate, ITS Antonio Marceglia for the Italian Navy, during a ceremony at the integrated shipyard of Riva Trigoso in Genoa. "The launching ceremony of the “Antonio Marceglia” frigate, the eighth of a series of 10 FREMM vessels - Multi Mission European Frigates, took place today at the integrated shipyard of Riva Trigoso (Genoa) in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence, Roberta Pinotti and, on behalf of the Chief of Defence…

Austal celebrated the christening of Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) the future USNS Burlington (EPF 10) with a ceremony at its state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility this morning. Burlington is the tenth of 12 EPFs that Austal has under contract with the U.S. Navy with a combined value of over $1.9 billion. “Austal is excited to get Burlington one step closer to joining the fleet” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. Rear Adm. Dee L. Mewbourne, Commander, Military Sealift Command, spoke at today’s event.