shipbuilding – Professional Mariner

06 Jul

Coast Guard receives historic $25 billion investment

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard welcomed the nearly $25 billion investment included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Friday – marking the largest single commitment of funding in service history. This investment strengthens every facet of Coast Guard operations and supports the service's role as the nation’s leading drug interdiction and maritime border security force. This funding…

03 Jul

Fincantieri Marine Group names George Moutafis as CEO

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry Newsshipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), the U.S. subsidiary of Fincantieri – one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and a global leader in the construction of highly complex vessels – has announced the appointment of George Moutafis as chief executive officer, effective July 1. This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S. shipbuilding industry, as the…

02 Jul

Chouest-built ECO Liberty launches for Empire Wind

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsEnvironment, offshore wind, shipbuilding

(NEW ORLEANS) — Equinor, the developer of Empire Wind, officially launched the service operations vessel ECO Liberty on June 28 for deployment in its New York offshore wind project, marking the culmination of a major investment in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Louisiana First Lady Sharon Landry served as the vessel’s “godmother” during a christening ceremony on the Mississippi River at…

02 Jul

Eastern wins contract to build three hybrid WSF ferries

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsHybrids, shipbuilding

(SEATTLE) — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has selected the $714.5 million bid from Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. Washington State Ferries (WSF) will move forward with the contracting process, following the first competitive bid for ferry construction in more than 25 years. “We’re restoring domestic service to pre-pandemic levels years ahead of schedule, improving…

02 Jul

GAO: MarAd lacks ‘measurable’ goals for build programs

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsMarAd, shipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — Building commercial ships in U.S. shipyards supports the maritime industry, which plays a vital role in national security. However, U.S. commercial shipbuilding has been in decline for decades. The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) has four financial assistance programs to help change that. It's not clear if these programs are meeting the needs of the industry or national security,…

23 Jun

Austal USA launches its first steel ship at Mobile yard

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding, Tugboats and towing

(MOBILE, Ala.) — Austal USA launched the company’s first steel ship, the future USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11), on June 14. Named after a native American Korean War veteran who, as an activist, fought for justice and environmental preservation in the northwestern United States, Billy Frank Jr. is a Navy towing, salvage and rescue ship – one of three…

23 Jun

Chouest, HD Hyundai teaming to build boxships in U.S.

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newsshipbuilding

(SEOUL, South Korea) — HD Hyundai is launching a strategic shipbuilding collaboration in the United States with U.S.-based Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to establish a strategic and comprehensive partnership for the construction of U.S. commercial vessels. The signing ceremony was held on Friday at ECO’s headquarters in New Orleans. The event was attended by Hannae Choi, head of planning at…

23 Jun

Jack Tanner Towing adds Serodino-built workboat

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(HAVANA, Ill.) — Jack Tanner Towing Co. has added the newly constructed 1368-hp Super Tiger workboat, M/V Miss Hazel, to its fleet. Built by Serodino Inc. in Chattanooga, Tenn., the vessel is powered by twin Mitsubishi S6R engines, each delivering 684 horsepower at 1,800 rpm. Miss Hazel will operate primarily around Havana, Ill., supporting the company’s regional towing operations. The…

19 Jun

Blakeley to build third Tier 4 z-drive tug for Crescent Towing

Professional Mariner StaffTugboats & Towingbrownwater, shipbuilding

(MOBILE, Ala.) — Crescent Towing and Blakeley BoatWorks are continuing their partnership with plans to begin construction of Hull 115, a new 6,000-hp Tier 4 z-drive tugboat, at Blakeley BoatWorks in Mobile. It will be added to Crescent Towing’s Mississippi River ship-assist operations upon completion. This vessel will be the third in a series of 6,000-hp tugboats that Blakeley BoatWorks…

17 Jun

Davie to acquire Texas shipyards in icebreaker push

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIcebreakers, shipbuilding

(WASHINGTON) — Quebec-based Davie, an international builder of icebreakers and other specialized ships, has announced its intention to acquire shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp., a Texas-based leader in ship repair, construction and marine services. The transaction is still subject to financial, legal and regulatory closing conditions, as well as land lease negotiations…