Jensen Maritime to design LNG bunker barges
Seattle-based Jensen Maritime has been awarded a contract to design some of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barges in the U.S. for LNG America LLC, a Houston-based LNG fuel supply and distribution company. Currently no LNG bunkering barges are in operation in American waterways and these vessels will be among the first to be developed and built, marking a significant step in LNG America’s build-out of LNG bunkering infrastructure along the U.S. Gulf Coast and in delivering a new clean fuel to the maritime industry.
The vessels, which are expected to deliver in late 2015, have an initial planned capacity of up to 3,000 cubic meters of LNG. Once in operation, the bunker barges will serve the dual purpose of moving LNG from LNG America’s Louisiana supply source to coastal-based storage and distribution terminals and in directly bunkering large ships.
Jensen first produced prototype designs for LNG vessels in 2008. Jensen is working on several other prototype designs of LNG bunker vessels, harbor tugs, ATBs, containerships and tankers, along with inland vessels for a variety of customers in the U.S.
Hodgdon Yachts infuses a 100-foot hull mold
Hodgdon Yachts announced on March 3 the successful infusion of a 100-foot carbon fiber hull mold. The mold, to be used for a pre-preg carbon hull, is one of the largest single hull infusions ever done in the U.S. and one of a handful of this scale worldwide.
The success of large infused composite parts such as this are increasingly giving designers worldwide the confidence to specify advanced composites over other materials given their many advantages. “We are pleased to be one of a handful of shipyards in the world capable of executing projects like this, and to be a leader in this technology in the USA,” company president Tim Hodgdon said.
Having started in 1816 during the era of wooden ships, Hodgdon is America's oldest boatbuilder. Still family owned, today this East Boothbay, Maine, company has evolved into a leader in advanced composite construction and builds specialized defense craft in addition to luxury yachts and tenders.
Neil Armstrong launched at Dakota Creek Industries
Neil Armstrong was launched at Dakota Creek Industries (DCI) in Anacortes, Wash., on Feb. 22. The 238-foot research vessel was designed by Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company Guido Perla & Associates. A sister ship, Sally Ride, is under construction at DCI.
The state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessels can carry sufficient supplies and support systems to stay at sea for up to 40 days, covering up to 10,000 nm and withstanding high sea and wind conditions. These capabilities, combined with the ability to operate 75 percent of the time during the Pacific Northwest and North Atlantic’s winter months and powerful ocean exploration equipment and instrumentation, will provide for superior operations.
Delivery is scheduled for late 2014 for Neil Armstrong and early 2015 for Sally Ride. Once completed, Neil Armstrong will be operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Sally Ride will be operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, both under charter agreements with their owner, the Office of Naval Research.
The ships measure 238 feet overall with a beam of 50 feet and a draft of 15 feet. Main propulsion is provided by four Cummins QSK38-DM diesel electric engines, each producing 1,044 kW. Top speed is estimated to be about 12 knots with a range of about 11,500 nm.
Some of the features planned include acoustic navigation and tracking systems that operate at various depths; a specially designed hull that diverts bubbles from the sonar area; a centralized freshwater cooling system to provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and dual-controllable propellers with variable speed motors for increased efficiency. The ships are single-hulled and designed to operate in rough seas and windy conditions. The ships can be operated during the winter months in shallow or deep water.
Vigor contracts to build tank barges for Harley Marine
Vigor Fab of Portland, Ore., has been awarded a contract to build two 83,000-bbl tank barges for Harley Marine Services. The 422-foot by 76-foot by 27-foot tank barges are designed by Elliott Bay Design Group.
Construction will begin in March at Vigor’s 60-acre shipyard in Portland. The yard has an 800-foot buildway, 600-ton gantry crane, and 360,000 square feet of covered fabrication areas.
The vessels will be the ninth and 10th built for Harley Marine by Vigor Fab and are to be part of articulated tug and barge units. They will be among the largest vessels constructed for Harley Marine’s fleet.
The first tank barge is scheduled for delivery in spring 2015, with the second barge set for delivery in the summer of 2015.
Gladding-Hearn to build new generation pilot boat for Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Pilots Association has ordered its second Chesapeake class launch and the first in a new generation of Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding’s popular, smaller pilot boats. Since the Chesapeake class pilot boat was introduced by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 2003, 15 have been delivered to pilot associations throughout the United States. The latest improvements incorporate the performance benefits of Volvo Penta’s IPS 2 pod system.
“The IPS 2 system was created to improve the performance and the arrangement of planning hulls like our pilot boats. This new generation of Chesapeake launches, equipped with the IPS 2 pods, gives pilots what they have been asking for: higher speed, lower fuel consumption, and more comfort,” said Peter Duclos, the shipyard’s president.
With an iconic deep-V hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, the all-aluminum pilot boat measures 52.7 feet overall, has a 16.8-foot beam and draws 4.5 feet. It will be powered by twin Volvo Penta D11-503, six cylinder, EPA Tier 3 diesel engines, each producing 503 bhp at 2,250 rpm. Each engine is connected to a Volvo Penta IPS propulsion pod, which is fitted with dual forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers and integrated exhaust system, and Volvo Penta’s integrated EPS electronic steering and control system.
Key design changes to the Chesapeake class include positioning the wheelhouse aft of amidships to improve comfort and provide for a larger foredeck. With the pods close-coupled to the engines, the engine room is located well aft of the wheelhouse with easy access to machinery through a deck hatch.
This new generation of pilot boats can also accept a gyro-stabilization system, designed to reduce vessel roll. Delivery is scheduled for 2015.
