Vpp News

After manufacturing its first test engine in September, Volvo Penta’s new Quickline production line is set to help Marine Commercial reduce lead times and address end users’ breakdowns more quickly than ever. To reduce manufacturing times, Volvo Penta has installed the Quickline, a production line that cuts lead times to as little as a week, in its Volvo Penta Production (VPP) facility in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Quickline celebrated its first successful run in September, when a custom-built engine — a D16-MH for propulsion — was produced for a Belgian Volvo Penta dealer in just four days.

Huntington Ingalls Industries announced  its Ingalls Shipbuilding division achieved a milestone in the construction process of the composite hangar that will be used on the U.S. Navy's second Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer, Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). Recently, the shipbuilders at the company's Gulfport, Miss., facility turned the inverted hangar to an upright position, or ship-shape, which is an important and necessary feat in the construction schedule of this component.

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII) announced that its subsidiary, Continental Maritime of San Diego (CMSD), has been recognized for exemplary shipyard safety and received "star" status in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Projection Program (VPP). "Receiving this status is the most important recognition our employees can receive because working safely is our top priority," said Daniel Flood, vice president and general manager, CMSD. "We have instilled awareness and accountability across the board…

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) Shipbuilding's facility in Gulfport, Miss. has been recognized for exemplary shipyard safety and received "star" status in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-sponsored Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). OSHA representatives presented the official VPP star status certification and flags to management and shipbuilders working at the Gulfport facility on July 29.

The fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732) finished its 27.5 month availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) on schedule and under cost March 8, marking the first East Coast overhaul of a SSBN. "We gained technical knowledge from having worked two guided-missile submarine conversions here at Norfolk and from knowledge sharing with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on West Coast engineering refueling overhauls and we applied that knowledge to our advantage," said Pete Marfio, project superintendent. Since March 30, 2006, NNSY has been part of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Administration's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and earned "star site" status.

The world's marine insurers collectively lost $3 billion in 1999, Norway's Central Union of Marine Underwriters (CEFOR) said. Cefor's calculation uses the collective experience of marine insurers in Norway - one of the world's major marine insurance markets - and extrapolates the results to the global industry. Cefor's md said that not even in their previous worst case estimates did CEFOR anticipate anything like this. The principal reason for the losses is continuing reduction in insurance premium rates, said Formso. On CEFOR's current estimates, rates in 2000 have dropped to 31 per cent of their 1994 levels. Hvide Marine Inc. Hvide Marine Inc. said last Monday that chairman and CEO Jean Fitzgerald has been hospitalized with a heart condition and was to undergo surgery.

Nichols Brothers Boatbuilders are building a highspeed catamaran ferry for San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation district. Designed by International Catamaran Designs (INCAT) of Sydney Australia, this will be Nichols Brothers 27th U.S. built highspeed catamaran. The vessel will be 139 ft. overall with a 34-ft. beam and draft of 9 ft. The individual hulls will have a beam of 9 ft.. A 37-knot speed is predicted with four 16-cylinder Cummins KTA50-M2 main engines delivering 1,600 hp each at 1800 rpm. Each IMO emission certified engine will drive a Hamilton model 571 water jet through a ZF Marine BU 460D marine gear. Electrical service will be provided by a 125 kW generator set powered by a Cummins Marine 6CT8.3DM engine.

Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) has received the U.S. Government's highest rating for excellence in workplace health and safety. Federal Authorities from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awarded NNS on June 26 with re-certification at the Star level of OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). OSHA grants this specific achievement to those companies with comprehensive, successful safety and health programs that promote employee protection while demonstrating continuous improvement. The shipyard first received the Star rating in 1995. Star VPP plants are revisited by OHSA every three to five years to verify the site is still in compliance with the VPP Star Standard.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) gave final approval May 31 for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to participate as a "Star" in its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). Star status is the highest rating attainable under the OSHA-run programs and recognizes organizations for excellence in health and safety in the workplace. The rate of employee injuries and illnesses at VPP sites are typically less than half the average of their respective industries. The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is the only DoD organization to currently rate Star distinction within OSHA's Region IX, which encompasses California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. OSHA's approval makes Pearl Harbor the fourth naval shipyard and the sixth DoD Star site in the nation.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) presented its highest rating for worker safety programs to Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay during an all hands presentation held at the southeast Georgia submarine base April 19. Kings Bay received Star status -- the highest level a business entity can achieve in the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). The strategic submarine base joins 1,600 other organizations in the United States who have achieved this status. According to OSHA, Kings Bay is the first Navy operational base to achieve this milestone; Naval Sea Systems Command shipyards in Puget Sound and Norfolk previously had been recognized in 2006 for their programs. OSHA area director for Savannah, John Deifer, stated the base is a model installation for others to follow.

Northrop Grumman Corporation announced today that its Newport News sector received two awards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Newport News sector was recognized as the largest Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) STAR site. The VPP, administered by OSHA and the Department of Energy, is a cooperative effort among labor, management and government. OSHA awards the STAR only to those companies with comprehensive, successful safety and health programs that are in the forefront of employee protection and demonstrate continuous improvement. Newport News first became a STAR site in 1995, and was re-certified at the prestigious STAR level in 2000. Participants' Association (VPPPA) for his outstanding health and safety activities.

The task of designer ships, which are increasingly fuel efficient as well as environmentally friendly, is the marine industry's constant challenge, today and forever. While hull designs and propulsion systems continually evolve, a new development from Knud E. Hansen A/S shows promise in taking the cause a step further. An interesting design being touted by the firm is a Modern Windship, a sail-assisted vessel, which marries Mother Nature's power harnessed with an innovative ship shape. In fact, according to the designer, the new efficient rig design, combined with an especially developed underwater hull, promises to cut the fuel consumption by half on selected ocean routes. In 1995 the Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy granted funding for Knud E.