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SHIPBUILDING & REPAIR their role in training maritime cadets. As National Security multiple transports also under construction. Like other

Multi-Mission Vessels, their capabilities will enable them yards, it has bene? ted from government work, in this case, to respond to natural disasters, and provide humanitarian with a specialty in troop transports and landing vessels.

aid. The vessels, set to join the National Defense Reserve The sustainability trend looms large. In the not too dis-

Fleet, will have ro-ro capabilities (for heavy equipment) tant future, additional U.S. built vessels will be needed and extensive berthing capacity. NASSCO, with no addi- to serve offshore wind energy projects. The rumor mill is tional deepsea commercial orders announced, is putting its whirring about numerous discussions said to be underway tanker expertise to work, building a series of ? eet oilers for between project developers and U.S. owners regarding in- the U.S. Navy. Halter Marine is also constructing vessels stallation vessels. Matt Tremblay, ABS Senior Vice Presi- for the Coast Guard and the Navy, and Eastern is building dent, Global Offshore, told Marine News, “ABS is involved the Coast Guard’s ? rst offshore patrol cutters. in a range of projects to support the development of the

Bollinger’s Lockport, La. yard scored a big win in late U.S. offshore wind industry, including providing services

September with a U.S. Coast Guard awarding a newbuild to vessels destined to be constructed in U.S. shipyards.” contract, with four fast response cutters to be delivered He added, “As the industry and the turbines continue to during 2022 and 2023. The group also recently received grow in size and complexity, the vessels needed to install an order for a ? oating drydock that will service U.S. Navy them in U.S. waters will need to be built, and we are seeing submarines at General Dynamics Electric Boat yard at increased demand for increasingly specialized vessels. ABS

Groton, Conn. Austal, another yard with commercial work is involved in advanced discussions with key players on the in its past at its Mobile, Ala. yard (the old Bender facility), development of further Jones Act vessels which will be key has delivered a fast transport ship to the U.S. Navy, with to the development of the U.S. industry.”

Choosing a Yard:

One Customer’s Perspective

Vane Brothers, a leading participant in coastal and harbor movements of petroleum products and ship bun- kering, has been a major customer of U.S. yards. Capt. Jim Demske, who is in charge of newbuild construction at the Baltimore based vessel owner, explained his criteria for sizing up a potential builder of new equipment for Vane. He explained, “Among many considerations, I want to know the yard’s reputation for constructing the type of tug required by Vane Brothers. I need to be certain they can build the design to our speci? cations, deliver it in a timely manner, and bring it in at our budgeted cost.”

Recent Vane newbuilds have included three Assateague class ATBs (built at Conrad Shipyards with 4,400 bhp tugs coupled to 80,000 bbl barges) and two Salisbury class push boats (3,000 bhp), suitable for the inland rivers. Two more of the push boats are under construction, at Chesapeake Shipbuilding (which has also carved out a niche in building small river cruise vessels for American Cruise Lines).

Capt. Demsky continued, “If the yard has been building tugs for many years, there is a good chance I have been aboard some of their tugs or designs. I would already have a good idea of what I like about their builds, their strengths and weaknesses, and what the yard can provide to ensure that new Vane vessels maximize safety, performance and crew comfort.”

Vane Brothers takes a hands-on approach, with Capt. Demsky telling Marine News, “I like to walk the yard and talk with management and supervisors to get a feel for the knowledge and expertise they offer. The rapport we are able to build is always important, since I will be interacting with yard personnel on a nearly daily basis for the length of the project. During the walk, I also look to see whether the yard is well kept and e? ciently laid out.

If the yard is clean and organized, I feel better about entrusting them with a Vane Brothers project.”

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