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Superferry News

13 Jun 2013

P&O Superferry Twins Refit and Return to Service

P&O Ferries European Causeway returns to service following ÂŁ100,000 investment

P&O Ferries’ superferry twins, European Highlander and European Causeway which operate between Cairnryan and Larne, have returned to service following a £100,000 refit on each ship. The work, carried out by local ship outfitters Blu Marine, is part of P&O Ferries ongoing £20m investment program across its Irish Sea ships’ and ports. Earlier this year the company relaunched the P&O Express, on its fast ferry service between Troon and Larne, following a £500,000 investment to redesign and refit the ship throughout.

29 Jan 2013

Power to the People

Like her two sister ships, Island Packers new boat will haul passengers, campers, and kayaks to the Channel Islands National Park, but the new vessel will be even more versatile with configurable seating, cargo carrying capacity, and an extendable  knuckle crane.

Passenger ferry and tour boat market segment has suddenly been revitalized and is on the verge of becoming hot. It is no secret: new vessel construction for the passenger vessel industry came to a virtual standstill in conjunction with the troubled economy. For many operators, just keeping the shingle hung, skilled crew at hand and something afloat at the other end of the mooring line has required the most scrupulous cost controls and strategy. With the results of the past election now set and several years of waiting and seeing under their belts…

19 Dec 2012

Improved Passenger Mobility, Comfort, Aboard Superferry 'Viking Grace'

'Viking Grace': Photo credit Viking Line

Finnish Avaava, a company specializing in barrier-free solutions makes it easier for passengers to move around, accommodate, in comfort. Different spaces need to cater to a variety of different people. Avaava creates supplementary solutions adapted to varying levels of mobility. It’s all about equality and the simple fact that age, size, shape and health issues should not hinder mobility or the enjoyment of a high standard of living; a standard  applied to Viking Line's new ferry. Grand designs and accessibility are not mutually exclusive – quite the opposite.

11 May 2012

ex-Hawaai Superferry to be Re-named 'USNS Guam'

ex-Hawaai Superferry: Photo credit Austal

One of two sister ships — either the Alakai or the Huakai — will be named after the island of Guam. These high-speed ferries were built by Austal, later acquired by the Maritime Administration and sold to the Navy. Both ferries will be used to move military troops and equipment from Okinawa to training areas around the Asia-Pacific region. Each ferry can carry 288 cars and 866 passengers. The two catamaran, aluminium hulled, high-speed ferries were originally built by the private company Hawaii Superferry…

16 Mar 2012

Hornblower Subsidiary to Operate Superferries for Navy

Seaward Services to operate and maintain HSV ALAKAI and HSV HUAKAI for the United States Navy. Seaward Services (SSI), a HMS Global Maritime (HMSGM) company based in New Albany, Indiana, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract through Military Sealift Command (MSC) to operate and convert the former Hawaii Superferry vessels HSV Alakai and Huakai for MSC. HMSGM has been managing these vessels since overseeing their construction and was the operator during the use of Alakai in Hawaii as an inter-island fast ferry.

31 Jan 2012

U.S. Navy Buys Hawaii Superferries

Huakai and Alakai Go for $35 Million. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration has transferred two high speed vessels, the Huakai and the Alakai, to the U.S. Navy. The Navy plans to use the vessels to transport troops and equipment to training areas from Okinawa and other locations. These vessels will help the Navy meet these unique operational requirements without the need to build new vessels. Powered by waterjet engines, the catamarans can each carry 288 cars and 866 passengers. The Navy provided $35 million to the Maritime Administration for both vessels.

02 Jan 2012

HMS Global Maritime Extends Westpac Express Contract

HMS Global Maritime (HMSGM) announce the extension of the HSV WestPac Express’ charter with the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the Third Marine Expeditionary Force, beginning in February 2012. The contract can last up to an additional two years. The HSV WestPac Express has been operated by HMSGM for the past nine years as a high-speed transport vessel for military personnel and equipment over a 1,200 mile range in Asia. The 101-meter vessel, home ported in Okinawa, Japan, can carry 970 troops and 236 vehicles at speeds of 35 knots. Over the past nine years, the HSV WestPac Express has experienced many achievements. One of those achievements came in March…

08 Jul 2011

MarAd Accepting Bids on Two High Speed Vessels.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is now accepting bids on the ALAKAI and HUAKAI, two fast ferry vessels that were previously owned by Hawaii Superferry LLC.  Financing needed to construct the vessels was guaranteed, in part, by the Title XI Loan Guarantee Program and MARAD has obtained title through foreclosure.  Bids should be submitted before 5 p.m. July 20, 2011. Additional information can be found in the Federal Register notice.  http://federalregister.gov/a/2011-15147

08 Feb 2011

Ferry Travel Across North Sea Boosted by Superferries

Stena Line has reported its highest number of North Sea passengers for three years in its figures for 2010. For the first time since changing its Harwich to Hook of Holland operations to a twice-daily service in 2007, the ferry giant carried over half a million passengers in a year. Stena Line is attributing part of the 8.7% annual growth in North Sea passengers to reinvigorated interest in ferry travel, fuelled both by the two new-build Superferry vessels it launched on the route in May and October and by difficulties affecting the UK aviation industry. Growth during the final quarter of the year, which saw the launch of the second of the two new Superferries, was particularly strong, with 10,000 more passengers travelling than during the same period in 2009 (a 10.3% increase).

12 Oct 2010

Five Minutes with Dave Growden, JHSV Program Manager, Austal USA

Please provide a brief professional history of yourself? I have more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of the planning and production of a wide variety of aluminum high speed vessels ranging in length from 26m to 107m. I have been employed by Austal since age 16 and completed a four year apprenticeship as a Shipwright before progressing into supervision and management of production staff and then program management. Along with experience with 30-60m passenger catamarans…

08 Sep 2009

Philippines Responds to Ferry Sinking

The Philippines Coast Guard stated that it is coordinating and overseeing the conduct of the search and rescue operations for the remaining unaccounted passengers/crew of the MV Superferry 9. A total of 926 survivors and nine conformed fatalities have been recovered so far. It is reported that there were 968 persons on board the ferry when it capsized and sank. (9/7/09). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

25 Jun 2009

Hawaii Superferry Wants to Abandon Catamarans

According to a June 24 report from Honoluluadvertiser.com, Hawaii Superferry has asked to abandon its two high-speed catamarans to creditors because of the significant cost of maintaining the vessels as the company moves through bankruptcy. MARAD, which guaranteed construction loans for the catamarans; Austal USA, the Alabama shipbuilder that built the vessels; and the state of Hawaii, which provided harbor improvements, are secured creditors with mortgage rights. MARAD, which holds first priority on the mortgages and is owed $135.7m, would likely take possession of the catamarans for charter if the bankruptcy court approves Superferry's request. Austal USA, which holds the second mortgage, announced last week that it is writing off the $22.9m it is owed for construction loans.

05 Jun 2009

Tognum to Supply Engines for New Ferry

The propulsion system and power generation specialist, Tognum, has won a contract for its Engines business unit from the Australian shipyard Austal to supply four large diesel engines. The 20V 8000 M71L-model MTU engines, each capable of 9,100 kW (12,376 PS), will provide the main propulsion for the new catamaran ferry Jean de la Valetta operated by Virtu Ferries from Malta. The vessel will also use four on-board gensets powered by S60 engines. Virtu Ferries operates high-speed catamaran ferry services between Italy and Malta.

14 Nov 2008

Austal -US JHSV Contract

Austal has won the contract to design and build the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. As Prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the first 103-metre JHSV, with options for 9 additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13. Similar to the Austal-built “WestPac Express” operated by the US Marines for the past seven years, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment…

10 Nov 2008

Hawaii – Urgent Superferry Barge Repairs

According to a report from the Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii’s state Department of Transportation plans to spend $414,284 for immediate repairs to the Hawaii Superferry barge at Kahului Harbor to prevent a "potential disastrous and life-threatening" leak. (Source: The Honolulu Advertiser)

30 Sep 2008

Second Superferry Launched

The second of two high speed vehicle-passenger catamarans for Hawaii Superferry has been launched at Austal USA. The achievement comes just months after Austal successfully launched the LCS Independence – a state-of-the-art near-shore combat ship built for the US Navy. With a service speed of 40 knots and the capacity to transport 866 passengers and 282 cars, the high speed catamaran joins sister vessel “Alakai” - which was delivered to Hawaii Superferry last year - as the largest aluminium catamaran ever built in the US.

25 Aug 2008

Austal COO Promoted to President

Joe Rella has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Austal.

Joe Rella has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Austal. Rella will be replacing Bob Browning as President of Austal’s US operations in . As of August 22, Browning will assume the role of managing director and CEO of Austal Limited. Rella was introduced as Austal ’s COO almost a year ago. Since joining Austal, Rella has coordinated several major efforts, including the successful rollout and launch of the Littoral Combat Ship, (LCS 2), which is scheduled to be Christened on October 4.

31 Jan 2008

Annand Named Chairman of PVA Subcommittee

Hornblower Marine Services (HMS) is pleased to announce that William Bill Annand, its Director of Marine Operations for Hawaii Superferry, has been appointed Chairman of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) High-Speed Subcommittee. Members of the PVA’s High-Speed Subcommittee include operators, designers, builders, equipment suppliers and regulators of high-speed craft. As Director of Marine Operations for Hawaii Superferry, Annand presides over the Alakai, the world’s most celebrated high-speed vessel, providing long-awaited passenger ferry service between Honolulu, O’ahu and Maui. Because the vessel has been controversial, Annand is intimately familiar with hot-button issues of concern to the High-Speed side of the passenger vessel industry and its association.

05 Mar 2008

Alakai Awarded Engineering Project of the Year

Austal has been awarded the Engineering Project of the Year for its high speed vehicle-passenger ferry Alakai at the Mobile Area Council of Engineers (MACE) annual awards banquet held on February 22. Austal designed and built Hawaii Superferry’s Alakai which currently operates inter-island routes in the Hawaiian Islands. Alakai is a 107-metre high-speed passenger/vehicle ferry and is the largest aluminum vessel ever built in the United States. The ferry holds up to 866 passengers and 282 cars, or a combination of cars and large trucks, and can travel at speeds of up to 40 knots.

22 Apr 2008

Hawaii Superferry Back in Service

The high-speed vehicle-passenger ferry Alakai, built for Hawaii Superferry, has recommenced its daily service between Maui and following a period in drydock. Annual dry docking of the vessel was brought forward by Hawaii Superferry due to inclement weather, allowing inspection of the vessel and minor repairs. Prior to dry docking, Austal had performed a temporary repair between the rudder tube and hull plating, as approved by the United States Coast Guard and classification society Germanischer Lloyd. During the dry docking process, which was undertaken by a Hawaiian shipyard, the vessel sustained damage after the tug positioning Alakai lost power and collided heavily with the catamaran.

29 Apr 2008

Austal Launches LCS2

The launch of (LCS 2) closely follows the recent delivery of the first Hawaii Superferry vessel. A 107 metre vehicle and passenger carrying aluminum catamaran, Superferry is Austal ’s largest construction project to date and is the largest high speed aluminum catamaran built in the . A second identical ferry is currently under construction and is scheduled for launch in September 2008. The recent purchase of an adjacent 100 acres of land and the award of $33.7m in funding from…

04 Jun 2008

Keever Named Director for Hawaii SuperFerry

Hornblower Marine Services (HMS) is pleased to announce Captain John M. Keever is joining the company as Director of Marine Operations for the Hawaii Superferry project. As Director of Marine Operations for Hawaii Superferry, Captain Keever will manage the Alakai, the world’s most celebrated high-speed vessel, providing long-awaited passenger ferry service between , O’ahu and . This project is at the cutting edge of the high-speed passenger vessel industry, requiring top notch leadership, experience and innovation. Keever currently serves as Vice President, Marine Programs and Student Development of the , now part of The California State University. He is also a tenured professor of maritime management and serves as the campus’ federal liaison to the U.S.

01 Aug 2008

Austal USA Expands

Austal’s operation located in , celebrated the start of work on its Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF) with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 31, 2008. Located on , just south of , the MMF project when complete will include 700,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, 80,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, and 60,000 sq. ft. of office space. The MMF expansion will be constructed in two phases and will ultimately accommodate a total workforce of up to 1,200 personnel in the new buildings.