Pyne News

The Nautical Institute (NI) has announced Rei Misa as the winner of its 2023 Lüddeke Prize.The Lüddeke awards were made possible by a generous legacy endowment from the estate of Captain Christof Lüddeke. The prize recognises an exceptional maritime student – many previous winners have gone on to become leading practitioners in their field with some becoming President of The Nautical Institute.Misa already has wide-ranging maritime experience having worked as a Deck Cadet, Marine…

National Rivers Hall of Fame will honor marine towing industry veterans Peter Stephaich and Joseph H. Pyne during the Annual Waterways Symposium hosted by Waterways Council, Inc. in St. Louis, Mo., in November.Stephaich, the current Chairman and CEO of Blue Danube Incorporated and Campbell Transportation Company, Inc., and Pyne, Kirby Corporation’s former CEO, will receive the Hall's Achievement Award, given to individuals making significant contributions to America’s waterways and barge industry.Having served the river industry for over 30 years…

“30 by 30” is the rallying cry for all concerned with the burgeoning U.S. offshore wind business. In Spring 2021, the Secretaries of Energy, Interior and Commerce resolved to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of electricity generated from offshore turbines by 2030. Consultants McKinsey, in a recent article frame the value proposition for this clean fuel source, writing: “During the industry’s 30-year evolution, costs have fallen so sharply that offshore wind now compares favorably with competing energy sources.” For vessel owners, renewable energy brings opportunity.The thrust of near-term U.S.

The ramping up of shipbuilding programs in Adelaide this year is providing an employment lifeline for South Australia as the state’s looks for ways to tackle boost jobs growth post coronavirus.There are already almost 700 people working on the Hunter Class Frigate Program. Those numbers are expected to reach 1000 by, the end of the year and 1,500 by mid-2025 before reaching a peak of 2,400 in 2028.Nine anti-submarine warfare frigates will be built by ASC Shipbuilding at the Osborne…

The United Seamen’s Service  announced that U.S. Secretary of Transportation, The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, will receive the 2019 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award based on her career-long commitment to the maritime industry. The other, previously announced recipients are James Given, President of the Seafarers International Union of Canada; Anil Mathur, President and CEO of Alaska Tanker Corp.; and Joseph Pyne, Chairman of the Board of the Kirby Corporation.The award will be presented at the 50th annual AOTOS gala at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on November 1, 2019.

Kongstein, the European service provider focused at offshore engineering and maritime logistics, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with U.S.-based Green Shipping Line to provide a complete offshore wind farm supply solution in the United States.Per the MoU, the solution provided will include consultancy services, a U.S. Jones Act compliant shuttle service as well as development opportunities at several U.S. ports."We are thrilled to be working with Kongstein – they are the best in the business in wind farm logistics and forward, creative thinking for complex issues," said Percy R. Pyne IV, Chairman of Green Shipping Line (GSL). "Together we will create a complete, viable and economic solution for United States-based wind farms.

Naval Ship Management (NSM), an existing joint venture between Babcock and UGL, has been awarded the support and sustainment program for two Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) at the Garden Island Defence Precinct in NSW, following a competitive bidding process.The announcement made today by the Australian Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, confirmed NSM was selected by the Australian Defence Force to sustain and support two LHDs and twelve LHD Landing Crafts (LLCs) for a period of 15 years.

Houston based tank barge operator Kirby Corporation announced that Joseph H. Pyne will retire as Executive Chairman of the Board, effective April 30, 2018. Pyne will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board in a nonexecutive role.The firm also announced that Kirby will incur a charge for compensation related to retirement in the second quarter of 2018.Pyne began his career with Kirby in 1978, and has held numerous executive positions including Chairman of the Board since April 2014, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from January 2014 to April 2014, as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer from April 2013 to January 2014 and from April 2010 to April 2011…

Australia said that it will gift Timor-Leste two new patrol boats following the finalization of the shipbuilding arrangements. The new arrangements follow the agreement between Prime Minister Turnbull and Prime Minister Alkatiri in November 2017 for the provision of these two new boats to Timor-Leste. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said Australia’s gifting of these vessels will help enhance Timor-Leste’s capability to patrol its maritime borders and protect its natural resources. “The boats will be sovereign capabilities of Timor-Leste, with Australian advisory, maintenance, infrastructure, and other support,” Minister Payne said. “This enduring assistance makes this agreement a 30 year commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s security and prosperity.

Huntington Ingalls Industries announced that Australia’s Department of Defence has awarded a contract to Naval Shipbuilding Institute (NSI), a joint venture between HII’s Technical Solutions division and Kellogg Brown and Root’s (KBR) Government Services division, to establish and manage Australia’s new Naval Shipbuilding College. This effort is in support of Australia’s mission to recapitalize its shipbuilding and maritime sustainment industry over the next several decades. In announcing the request for proposals in 2017, Minster of Defence Industry Christopher Pyne emphasized that the Naval Shipbuilding College is a unique organization…

The U.S. Coast Guard said it has medevaced a 23-year-old man with vision complications from the tug Tiny Pyne Sunday approximately 9 miles south of Key West, Fla. Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a report of the injury at approximately 1:50 p.m. Sunday. Watchstanders launched a Station Key West 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew and embarked the patient at approximately 2:50 p.m. The man was transferred to local emergency medical services at approximately 3:20 p.m.

The second Hobart class destroyer, NUSHIP Brisbane, has commenced her first phase of sea trials, which will test the ship’s hull, propulsion and navigation systems. The initial trial phase, which will occur over the coming months, will be followed by a more advanced phase of sea trials next year to test the ship’s combat and communications systems. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the milestone was a further demonstration of industry’s role as a fundamental input into capability for Defence. “Over the past decade, more than 5,000 people from across the Department of Defence, ASC, Raytheon Australia and Navantia have dedicated millions of hours of effort to the Air Warfare Destroyer program,” Minister Pyne said.

Today’s ATB play seemingly has legs for the long haul, as operators build and market needs fluctuate. The refined product trades are always in flux. Similarly, the supply patterns for products (and for chemicals derived from oil refining) are subject to constant change. At the same time, the distribution of refined petroleum products sees great benefit from the efficiency of Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs), which have the flexibility to adjust to dynamic supply programs between refineries and myriad distribution facilities dotting the coastline. It wasn’t always like that.

Austal hosted the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Defense Industry, at the ceremonial keel laying of the first of 19 Pacific Patrol Boat vessels for the Australian Government’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) Project. Minister Pyne authenticated the keel by committing his signature to a plate that was subsequently welded and placed in the hull of the vessel. Austal chief executive officer, David Singleton, said the ceremonial keel laying was a significant milestone in the A$306 million (US$245 million) PPB-R Project…

Houston based tank barge operator Kirby Corporation said it has signed an agreement to acquire the assets and businesses of Stewart & Stevenson LLC for approximately $710 million. The agreement was signed on June 13 by the companies’ executive chairmen, Joseph H. Pyne of Kirby Corporation and Hushang Ansary of Stewart & Stevenson. Kirby said the purchase  will be funded through its revolving credit facility and common stock valued at approximately $355 million. Stewart & Stevenson, also based in Houston, is a subsidiary of the Houston-based Parman Capital Group.

In a collaborative project with Australian industry, the Royal Australian Navy is extending its use of simulation to electronic warfare training. A common electronic warfare sensor suite is planned across the future fleet and future electronic warfare sailors need to have the advanced skills to meet upcoming demand. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne said a contract signed with the Australian company Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems would result in advanced new maritime training systems designed and developed in Australia. “The contract valued at around $4.4 million will see the development of a tactical electronic warfare training system to provide tuition…

Austal has opened a new Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) Shipbuilding Facility in Naval Base, Western Australia. Australian Defense Industry Minister Christopher Pyne cut the red ribbon at the 10,500m² facility in front of defense industry stakeholders, suppliers and partners from across Australia. Austal CEO David Singleton said the PPB-R project is estimated to create up to 207 jobs across production, project management, services and support - from Perth Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland.

Today marks a significant milestone for the first Air Warfare Destroyer, Hobart, as the next phase of sea trials commence in Adelaide. Hobart will sail into waters off the coast of South Australia to undertake testing of combat, communications and additional platform systems. Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne said this set of trials, known as sea acceptance trials; represent the beginnings of the formal ship acceptance process in the lead up to delivery later this year. “These trials are conducted to prove that systems can perform the expected functions they were designed for, in the environment in which they’ll be required to function,” Minister Pyne said.

DCNS Australia celebrated the founding of its Australian headquarters in Keswick, Adelaide, which will be dedicated to delivering the Future Submarine Program. The ceremony was attended by Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defense Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Defense and a number of parliamentarians and defense sector figures. “This is an important initial milestone in DCNS’ decades long commitment to the design and construction of 12 regionally superior submarines in Adelaide…

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the appointment of 10 Board Members to the Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Donald Winter. “The establishment of the Advisory Board is an important milestone in the Government’s naval shipbuilding strategy, ensuring expert, independent advice to Government on all aspects of this historical national endeavour,” Minister Pyne said. Mr Martin Bean, CBE – Vice Chancellor and President of RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia and former Vice Chancellor of The Open University in the United Kingdom. Mr Mike Burgess – After leaving the position of Chief Information Security Officer for Telstra, he is now a Strategic Cyber Security Adviser and Consultant.

Australian shipbuilder Austal has rolled out the ninth Cape class patrol boat for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Designed and constructed by Austal, Hull 380 is the first of two Cape class vessels scheduled to be delivered in 2017. In attendance at the official roll out ceremony, which took place prior to launching at Austal’s Henderson Western Australia shipyard, were Australian Defense Industry Minister Christopher Pyne, Senator Chris Back and Federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie, joined by Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton and Austal Chairman John Rothwell.

A national roadshow for the Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels has kicked off to help Australian companies get involved in the multibillion dollar projects. The Minister for Defence industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne MP today launched the roadshow in Adelaide before it heads to Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney. The Minister said the roadshow is an important part of the Government's commitment to the local defence industry and growing the Australian supply chain for Australia's continuous naval shipbuilding effort. “The Turnbull Government is setting a new direction for the defence industry in Australia and this roadshow a critical part of greater local business involvement.

The Australian Government has appointed Professor Don Winter as the Chair of the newly established Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board. Professor Winter is a former Secretary of the United States Navy, and has held senior executive positions in the private sector and in academia. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne said Professor Winter was both an expert in naval shipbuilding and highly familiar with Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry. “Professor Winter has extensive experience and has already made an invaluable contribution to Australia’s defence capability as Chair of the Expert Advisory Panel for the Future Submarine Program Competitive Evaluation Process,” Minister Pyne said.