A new beginning…and a continuation. That’s what this issue of Pacific Maritime represents. First, it’s a new beginning because the magazine has changed ownership. As you may know, Philips Publishing has sold the magazine to San Diego-based Maritime Publishing. Maritime Publishing is a division of Training Resources Limited, Inc., the largest privately held provider of maritime training in the Western United States. The magazine’s new publisher, Dave Abrams, is the CEO of Training Resources Maritime Institute, a former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer and current licensed USCG 100 Ton Master. Additionally, he’s a certified instructor with the National Safe Boating…
London-based containership fleet operator Seaspan Corp. has entered into agreements with a major shipyard for six 15,000 TEU newbuilds, the company has revealed. “The modern high-quality containerships are anticipated to begin deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2023, and upon completion will enter long-term charters with a global liner,” the company stated in a March announcement that did not name the liner or the shipyard that will build the vessels. The containerships are anticipated to be financed from existing liquidity and additional borrowings, the company has said. Seaspan has also stated that it will continue to enhance its fleet composition…
Oregon-based ocean-going vessel manufacturer Greenbrier Marine and transportation and logistics company Crowley Maritime have launched Qamun (pronounced Ka-moon), a 55,000 BBL shallow draft a double-hulled petroleum tank barge designed specifically for the Alaska fuels market. The ATB was built by Greenbrier Marine, while Crowley Engineering Services provided on-site construction management using an Alaska-specific design by Jensen Maritime, its naval architecture and marine engineering subsidiary. The 350-foot barge will be paired with the tug Aurora being constructed by Alabama-based Master Boat Builders Inc. Delivery to Crowley is expected in April 2021. Representatives from Crowley and Greenbrier participated in a small, private…
Bremerton, Wash.-based shipbuilder SAFE Boats International says that it plans to reopen its Large Craft Production Facility at the Port of Tacoma following a $20 million lead contract with the U.S. Navy to begin construction of Mark VI patrol boats for the government of Ukraine. The U.S. Navy announced in January that it had awarded SAFE Boats a portion of the contract to purchase long-lead material and associated pre-production and planning support. An additional award of $80 million award is anticipated in June. Altogether, the contract is expected to result in 75 new jobs at SAFE’s Tacoma workforce at the…
The Pacific Northwest ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, BC, along with the combined container operations of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, say they are jointly committing to a new vision to phase out emissions from seaport-related activities by 2050. In a collaboration among the four ports, the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy seeks to meet this target through changes in equipment, fuels, and infrastructure, supporting cleaner air for local communities and fulfilling the ports’ shared responsibility to help limit global temperature rise. “Through the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, ports have a blueprint to do their part by helping to…
San Diego-based ship repair provider Continental Maritime has been awarded a $32.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of the U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD-25). The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to more than $38.4 million. The USS Somerset, which was first launched in 2014, has a length of 684 feet, a total beam of 105 feet, a displacement of 25,000 tons and a capacity of 700 to 800 people. Work is set to be performed in San Diego starting later this year, and is expected…
Design, engineering, science and risk management consultancy BMT has been awarded a prime contract to conduct industry studies for the U.S. Navy’s T-ARC(X) cable ship replacement program. The contract consists of capability and cost trade studies in key areas, investigation of options to maximize affordability and producibility, and development of a concept design. BMT’s partners on this project include shipbuilder Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), marine engineering company ABB Marine & Ports and acoustical engineering consulting firm Noise Control Engineering. The industry studies are a key step in the Navy’s recapitalization of its undersea cable installation and repair capability, as the…
Vancouver, B.C.-based ferry operator Western Pacific Marine Ltd. has awarded a contract to German propulsion manufacturer Schottel for delivery of main propulsion units for a new car ferry. The newly built vessel, ordered by the British Columbia Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, is being equipped with high efficiency Schottel TwinPropeller technology. Once operational, it will serve Kootenay Lake in British Columbia. Schottel TwinPropeller technology is for vessels or applications with limited installation space, draught or propeller clearance. The Schottel TwinPropeller system ensures combined thrust and 360-degree maneuvering power with two co-rotating propellers. Distributing the load over two propellers boosts the…
Coast Guard cutters like the 378-foot Douglas Munro are proving a game change for maritime interdiction capability, as evidenced by the more than 19,600 pounds of illegal drugs unloaded by the ship’s crew on March 23 at Coast Guard Base Alameda in California. Prior to arriving at Alameda, the crew transferred 12 detainees, about 9,200 pounds of cocaine and 2,150 pounds of marijuana to law enforcement officials in San Diego, the Coast Guard said. The drugs have an estimated worth is $330 million. They were seized in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean between January and March, in 15…
Vancouver, Wash.-based JT Marine Inc. has completed negotiations with Foss Maritime, resulting in JTM’s acquisition of the Foss Rainier Shipyard in Rainier, Ore. effective Jan. 1, 2021, meaning that JT Marine now has two locations to serve the Pacific Northwest marine community’s needs. “JT Marine Inc. looks forward to restoring the Rainier, OR location to the full-service shipyard that it once was,” the company said in a statement. “JT Marine Inc is looking forward to working closely with the community and workforce of Rainier, Ore.” In other JT Marine news, the company has been awarded a $10 million contract by…