Marinette Marine Installs First DWB Ship Transfer System In North America

Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wise., is the first shipyard in North America to install a dual walking beam (DWB) ship transfer system as part of its continued upgrading of facilities and emphasis on state-of-the-art technology.

The 1,600-ton transfer system, manufactured by Total Transportation Systems of Norway, will be used to move the wooden MCM minesweepers from Marinette's new 70,000-square-foot ship erection building to the outside launch area.

"With the DWB system, we're able to get the most out of our indoor facility because there is no longer a need for heavy cranes or separate covered building berths outside. This way, we build everything we can inside, obtaining maximum efficiency, then use the DWB system for moving the ship to the final staging area for launching," says Larry N. Hairston, vice president of marketing for MMC.

Installation of the TTS system is part of the shipyard's modernization program, which includes the most sophisticated engineering capabilities in American shipbuilding today, according to Mr. Hairston.

"We clearly see that we've got to maintain pace technologically if we're going to remain competitive in one of the world's most cost-conscious industries," he says. "The DWB project, together with Marinette Marine's investment in people, production equipment, and computer-aided design, enables us to participate in this highly competitive market," he adds.

Besides the cost savings, MMC is impressed with the DWB system's flexibility. Using eight dual walking beam units, the system can move large sections or complete ships in any direction, over surfaces such as sand, gravel, and concrete, without any rails or major preparations required.

Similarly, TTS is impressed with its first U.S. customer for the DWB system. "Marinette Marine is a great shipyard with a lot of forwardlooking people," says Steinar Draegebo, president of Total Transportation Systems Inc. of Newport News, Va.

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Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 93, Jun 1985

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.