U.S. Shipyards Receive Contracts For 25 Ships- January To October '78

On October 10, Levingston Shipbuilding Company, Orange, Texas—subsidiary of Ashland Oil, Inc.—received a milestone $200- million contract for construction of five 35,000-dwt self-sustaining dry-bulk cargo vessels. (See MARITIME REPORTER/Engineering News issue of November 1, 1978.) Only three new dry-bulk carriers have been built in the U.S. since 1960.

Levingston Shipbuilding is scheduled to deliver the vessels, designed by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) Co., Ltd.

of Japan, at six-month intervals starting December 31, 1980. CDS rate was set at 49.05 percent.

Under a separate research and development contract, the yard will match $1.2 million from the Maritime Administration to employ IHI as the major subcontractor for the purpose of providing production and technology guidance.

These dry-bulk ships will be owned by Levingston Falcon Shipping Company, Orange, Texas, and bareboat chartered for 20- years to Equity Carriers, Inc., New York, N.Y., for worldwide trading, principally in the carriage of grain, sugar, wood and iron products between Gulf Coast ports and the Far East.

With the above project, U.S.

shipbuilders have so far in 1978 received contracts for construction of 25 merchant vessels of 1,000 gross tons and over, including the following: two 31,000-dwt tankers, one 61,000-dwt Great Lakes ore carrier, one 32,000-dwt Great Lakes ore carrier, two 42,000-dwt tankers, one 27,000- dwt containership, four hopper dredges, three tuna purseiners, and six ferryboats.

Also, a contract for construction of four medium-endurance U.S. Coast Guard cutters was awarded at the start of the year.

Prospects for other awards in the near future include up to ten 40,000-dwt oceangoing tug-barge vessels, two of which would in involve CDS. In addition, by yearend, American President Lines, Ltd., San Francisco, Calif., is expected to place CDS contracts for construction of three new containerships, and conversion of f o u r existing breakbulk cargo ships to containerships. Delivery of the first new APL vessel is planned for 1983.

As to Naval shipbuilding, commitments against continuing pro- That's right. Navigation Safety Regulations say that come June 1, every ship over 10,000 gross tons must have a back-up radar system.

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On October 13, Lockheed Shipbuilding & Construction Co., Seattle, Wash., was awarded a $3,000,000 contract for the design support of a new class of dock landing ship (LSD-41).

As in 1977, U.S. shipbuilders continue to lead the world in volume of new contracts for jackup offshore drilling rigs — 17 have been ordered since the start of 1978.

U.S. Shipyards Receive Contracts For 25 Ships- January To October '78

Other stories from November 15, 1978 issue

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