Vision Technologies News

An autonomous containership was recently trialed in the congested waters off Japan's east coast, marking another stepping stone on the path toward full-scale commercial adoption of autonomous vessel technologies.The 749-gross-ton vessel Suzaku, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning technologies from Israel-based Orca AI, completed 40 hours of navigation with full autonomy being activated 99% of time.The test run was performed by The Nippon Foundation in partnership with the Designing the Future of Full Autonomous Ships (DFFAS) consortium…

On March 3, the Coast Guard published a notice that Martin Midstream Partners (MMP), a petrochemical transport and storage company, was seeking approval to modify terminal operations in Beaumont, Texas, along the Sabine-Neches Waterway. If approved, MMP would expand its liquefied hazardous gas (LHG) operations, both in volume and products. Instead of just handling ammonia the change would allow shipments of butane, propane, ethane, ethylene and propylene.Critically, MMP’s expansion would increase LHG vessel transit from 24 ships to as many as 350 per year.

Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engineering) announced that its U.S. company Vision Technologies Systems (VT Systems) has set up a subsidiary ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore, based in Pascagoula, Miss., with share capital of US$10 (approximately S$13.62).  This new entity is responsible for the upgrade and repair of drilling rigs, military, para-military and commercial ships; and marine and industrial engineering work in the U.S. (formerly undertaken by VT Marine).

VT Halter Marine and Q-LNG Transport team members during start of construction of ATB Tug Q-Ocean Service and Barge Q-LNG 4000. VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today held a ceremony to commence construction on America’s first Liquefied Natural Gas Articulated Tug and Barge (LNG ATB) unit. “We are honored to be able to celebrate the official start of construction on the first LNG Bunkering ATB unit ever built. We believe that this is a significant step towards the USA becoming the premier supplier of LNG as the environmentally friendly maritime fuel source of choice,” said Rob Mullins, Chief Executive Officer of VT Halter Marine.

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) said it has acquired the rig repair assets of World Marine of Mississippi LLC (WMM) adjacent to its existing yard, VT Halter Marine, Inc. in Pascagoula, Miss. in the U.S., through its subsidiary Vision Technologies Marine, Inc. (VT Marine). ST Engineering paid $25 million for these assets, comprising a purpose-built facility of 94 acres for heavy marine fabrication and offshore oil and gas rig upgrades, repairs and conversions in the Gulf of Mexico region are within close proximity to VT Halter Marine’s Pascagoula yard. Since the downturn of the offshore and marine industry, ST…

U.S. shipbuilder VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), has appointed Robert A. Socha as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Estimating, effective January 30, 2017. In his role, Socha is responsible for overall management and leadership of the company’s business development and estimating departments. He will work closely with other corporate functions, including departments of engineering, production control, production…

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) today announced that it has injected US$66m (approximately S$89m) into the capital of its US Headquarters, Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), for the repayment of bank loans. This brings ST Engineering’s total investment in VT Systems to US$343.96m (approximately S$464m). Following the capital injection above, VT Systems has capitalised its outstanding loan balance of US$35.28m (approximately S$47m) and US$33.08m (approximately S$44m) in its subsidiaries, Vision Technologies Kinetics, Inc. and Vision Technologies Land Systems Inc respectively. Vision Technologies Land Systems has, in turn, capitalised its outstanding loan balance of US$33.08m (approximately S$44m) in its subsidiary, VT Hackney Inc.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announces the launch of the M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, at its Moss Point Marine Shipyard Facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi on Thursday, March 31, 2016. M/V Frederick E. Bouchard is the second of two 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated (ATB) tugs constructed for Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. (Bouchard Transportation) under a two-vessel contract awarded to VT Halter Marine in August 2014. Both M/V Frederick E. Bouchard and the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. measures, 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, are classed by ABS as A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System.

Bouchard Transportation Co. celebrated the naming of the M/V Donna J. Bouchard and the B. No. 272 at the christening ceremony held on Thursday, February 18 in New Orleans. The ceremony began with remarks from Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. President/CEO, Morton S. Bouchard III, followed by VT Halter Marine and ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime. Vessel sponsor Joan Lesniewski, wife of Robert Lesniewski of ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime, performed the ceremonious breaking of the champagne bottles as executives from Bouchard, VT Halter Marine and several of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems) and Bouchard Transportation Co. announced that Barge B. No. 272 was launched on November 20, 2015. This is the second barge of two Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) units constructed for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. Measuring 628 feet by 91 feet by 47 feet, the barge B. No. 272 has a 250,000-barrel capacity, and is ABS and USCG certified for Jones Act service. When completed, the barge will be paired with the tug, M/V Donna J.

VT Halter Marine, Inc., the Pascagoula, Miss. based shipbuilding subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc., today announced several promotions within its leadership team. The shipbuilder named Richard A. Zubic (Rick Zubic) to Executive Vice President, Shipbuilding; Rob Mullins to Senior Vice President, Strategy and Estimating; Harry Bell to Vice President, Sales and Marketing; Pawan Agrawal to Vice President Repair; and Phil Adams joins the VT Halter Marine team as Senior Vice President. “These professionals bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to our company.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VTHM), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced a change of senior leadership. After more than 46 years in the shipbuilding business, including nearly two decades at VT Halter Marine, President and CEO Bill Skinner has announced his retirement. Skinner previously served as President, CEO and Director of ADDSCO Industries (1985-1989), the parent company of Alabama Maritime Corporation, where he also served as President (1982-1984) and as President of Alabama Shipyard, Inc. (1989-1997) following its acquisition by Atlantic Marine.

VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that UK-based independent teleport operator Cobbett Hill Earth Station is upgrading the network of its maritime services unit, ION (International Ocean Services) to the iDirect Evolution 3.2 Platform. The acquisition of maritime satellite communications provider ION in 2013 marked Cobbett Hill Earth Station’s expansion into the commercial maritime market, which according to NSR will hold close to 1 million in-service units by 2023. This will be the first in a series of technology investments that Cobbett Hill Earth Station has planned for ION. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) today announced that Visiontech Investment Pte Ltd (Visiontech Investment), a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering’s aerospace arm, Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd, has applied to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority in Singapore to strike off its name from the Register of Companies pursuant to Section 344 of the Companies Act, Chapter 50. Visiontech Investment was incorporated in 1990 and has been a dormant company since 2008. Meanwhile, Vision Technologies Aerospace Incorporated (VT Aerospace), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), the US headquarters of ST Engineering, has converted ST Aerospace San Antonio, L.P.

If you drive just south of I-10 in Pascagoula, Miss., within 10 minutes you find yourself on the doorstep of VT Halter Marine, arguably one of the more diverse and active shipyards in the U.S. The company, which is a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VTS), operates three facilities in Jackson County, Miss., and today supports about 1,600 full time employees as well as about 1,600 vendors and subcontractors. •    A pair of 250,000 barrel ATBs and a pair of 6,000 hp ATB tugs for Bouchard Transportation, a long-tenured and important client for VT Halter.

Bouchard Transportation Co., announced the launch of Barge B. No. 270, the first of two Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) units constructed by VT Halter Marine, Inc., a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. The barge was launched at the Pascagoula Shipyard Operations in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on Friday, May 1, 2015, following the launch of tug Kim M. Bouchard, part of the ATB unit, at the Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi, on February 26, 2015. When paired, Kim M. Bouchard and Barge B. No. 270 will be delivered to Bouchard as part of its ongoing fleet expansion program.

VT Halter Marine, Inc., a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced it has delivered a combination container and roll-on/roll-off car truck carrier (ConRo), MV Marjorie C, to Pasha Hawaii. The MV Marjorie C is the second U.S. Flag, Jones Act-qualified vessel built for Honolulu-based Pasha Hawaii and will join her sister ship, the MV Jean Anne, providing additional service to Hawaii via the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane. The 692 feet long MV Marjorie C features vehicle shipping capacity of 1…

VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced new contracts to build two 130-foot Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) tugs for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. (Bouchard). Measuring 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, these 6,000hp Twin Screw ATB tugs will be classed by ABS as A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C, both will be equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessels will begin in 3Q2014 at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss., with delivery expected in January 2016 and May 2016. These vessels will enter into Bouchard’s fleet service in New York, N.Y. “I am happy to share the news of Bouchard Transportation’s fleet expansion,” said Morton S.

VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc., announced four separate shipbuilding milestones for the Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) Super 320 Program underway for Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. Firstly, VT Halter Marine delivered HOS Captain on July 10. Five days later, VT Halter Marine hosted the christening ceremony of HOS Crestview held at the Pascagoula facility and launched HOS Caledonia at the Halter Moss Point facility on July 15. Finally, delivery of HOS Clearview took place on July 28.

VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), launched MV Marjorie C, a container and roll-on/roll-off car truck carrier (ConRo) at its Pascagoula facilities on August 8. MV Marjorie C is the second vessel built for Honolulu-based Pasha Hawaii. MV Marjorie C has the ability to carry 1,500 TEUs, above and under deck, as well as vehicles and over-high and over-wide cargoes on 10 workable decks. The 692-foot long vessel, with a vehicle shipping capacity of 2,750 units, is the largest vessel ever built by VT Halter Marine.

Night Vision Technologies, Inc. (NVT) offers a complete approach to night/day navigational/security/surveillance video assessment, addressing the workboat industry. Designing systems that incorporate many complimentary technologies, NVT is able to meet the growing security and safety concerns for vessels, offshore platforms, ports, and harbors worldwide. NVT offers infrared imaging technologies, Generation III U.S. image intensification (night vision), ultra sensitive low light CCTV, high resolution color CCTV, and IR emitting searchlights for detection and critical identification of objects on sea or land. This merger of technologies allows for detection of objects by their infrared heat signatures day or night.

VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), has commenced construction on the first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered, combination Container Roll-On/Roll-Off (ConRo) vessels for Crowley following the signing of the contract, which took place in November 2013. “We have waited with great anticipation for the Commitment Class build program to start,” said John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico/Caribbean liner services.

VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today launched the oceangoing 112-foot Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) Tug, Denise A. Bouchard. Measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, the 4,000hp tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessel began in March 2013, and the keel was laid in May 2013 at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss.