Louisiana

  • Channel and water management will become increasingly important for freshwater supplies and trade in the years to come. The work and our vigilance must continue.

    The present conditions on the Lower Mississippi River find the deep-draft channel from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico in good shape with no channel deficiencies or related transit restrictions. On the other hand, the Middle Mississippi from St. Louis to Cairo and especially around the areas with rock pinnacles at Thebes and Grand Tower both in Illinois have been areas of concern for much of the last two months. The Commander of the USACE Mississippi Valley Division Brigadier General John Peabody now believes that due to several factors, including the work to remove the problematic pinnacles, new precipitation and managed releases from the Carlyle and Shelbyville Reservoirs have all helped to maintain – at least for now – the authorized channel depth.
    The federally authorized channel for most of the entire river system is 9 x 300 ft. although outside times of extreme drought barge traffic often is able to load deeper than the authorized depth because of water availability. Nevertheless, industry members remain concerned about water levels and have responded to concerns by enforcing their own draft reductions to promote safety. As one variable of the equation only, the possibility of long term drought and the disruption to the maritime transportation system is one that only Mother Nature can solve.
    The startling differences in water levels over the course of just one year (from 2011 to 2012), record, historic highs as it turned out, show that as man tries to manage this immense watershed that natural processes are in fact in control. I have two photos that show the difference in water level between these two historical events and it is amazing what a difference 60 feet of water looks like. In 2011 with the Carrolton Gauge in New Orleans at 17 ft. and predicted to reach 18.5 ft., I found myself contemplating evacuation from New Orleans much like we would do if a significant hurricane were approaching. Hurricane Isaac showed that a Category 1 on the Safford-Simpson scale could really be a devastating storm, just as the National Weather Service often tells us. Every storm brings threats that must be prepared for. For example, and during the historic floods of 2011, before the Carrollton Gauge got much higher than 17 feet, the USACE opened the Bonnet Carre and Morganza Spillways to manage the record water levels with controlled releases.
    After the preparations and the storms pass, restoration projects begin. Beach restoration projects are often questioned on the justification for the financial support from state or federal funds. There is considerable evidence that beach locations that had been maintained or restored offered tremendous protection to their local communities. In the wake of the impact of recent hurricanes – like Katrina, for example – a select few members from the navigation industry have worked to increase the beneficial use of dredge material. Historically, this material had been referred to as dredges spoils and I think that is simply an inappropriate term with negative connotations for material that could be used to help restore coastal Louisiana. A better descriptive term perhaps is “marsh recycling.”
    The Big River Coalition has worked to develop plans to promote the marsh recycling program and hopes to be able to test one portion of this plan through hopper dredge pumpout in Southwest Pass this year. It is therefore important that the navigation industry work to promote coastal restoration.  Unfortunately, because of the Corps being severely underfunded, these plans have been impossible to implement financially. And this reality underscores the need to repair the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund mechanism.
    There are several recent studies that suggest one out of five jobs in Louisiana depends on the Mississippi River. Members of the navigation industry also want coastal restoration for a myriad of reasons including protecting their families and homes, human lives, our unique culture shaped by the gumbo of our waterways and yes, the facilities which our part of our economic lives. Navigation interests want the sediments out of the channel to maintain authorized safe dimensions and what better place for this material to be placed than along our coastal boundaries.
    Challenges beyond trying to manage the Mighty Mississippi and the super environmental impacts include preparing for the Panama Canal expansion that will have an undeniable impact on our industry and nation. Many channels are presently undergoing efforts to be deepened to 50 feet. The President’s Task Force on Ports has announced plans to expedite several port deepening projects and I cannot think of a more important channel than the world’s economic superhighway (Mississippi River).
    The Mississippi River channel was approved for deepening to 55 feet in 1986, but at in the same Water Resources Development Act (WRDA Bill) another section established that all channels deeper than 45 feet would be deepened and maintained with 50% funding from the federal government and 50% from the non-federal sponsor. Because of this overwhelming requirement, the channel was never deepened. In the last year the Big River Coalition has begun working on a compromise to see the channel deepened to 50 feet, a compromise that we hope will allow the channel to be maintained at 50 feet and to develop marsh recycling to help protect our coast. At the same time, advocacy efforts continue from BRC to educate Congress and the administration on the importance on this trade artery and the positive impact on the 31 states it connects to world markets through the Mississippi River Basin. 
    There is no doubt that in the next few decades the channel and water management will become increasingly important for freshwater supplies and trade. As an example, world governments could work to make desalinization affordable and promote this technology. As sea levels rise and glaciers melt, you can argue about the causes, but the future of a civilization that could economically and efficiently convert sea water to fresh water would arguably establish its future in the ever-changing world in which we live. This is of course a long-term goal while deepening the Mississippi River to 50 feet could be done in months.
    In some quarters, realignment of the Mississippi River channel or delta so that the riverine system would be more naturally able to promote marsh restoration has been proposed. Whether this is a practical matter is far from certain, but it will remain important that navigation interests are embedded with these teams if the concept is brought forward. Changes to this channel have unintended consequences and the threat to the nation’s economy makes this effort one that warrants extreme scrutiny to protect the $120 billion annual impact generated by this channel. Losing the Mississippi River for ship traffic would be a blow to the U.S. economy that it may never recover from and it is important to remember that waterborne commerce is the cheapest, safest and most environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

    (As published in the March 2013 edition of Marine News - www.marinelink.com)
     

  • Louisiana relies on dredging for navigation and land restoration   When maritime stakeholders think about dredging, they typically first conjure up visions of harbor deepening projects to accommodate those giant, post-Panamax boxships. Conversely, inland players hope for maintenance dredging in the

  • its third year, Bollinger Shipyards is holding its own courtesy of a long-running relationship in building for the United States Coast Guard (USCG). In Louisiana, a land where oil and gas, OSVs, workboats and fishing vessels traditionally rule the maritime landscape, Chris Remont ensures that shipyard workers

  • Employers are hiring in coastal Louisiana, especially as offshore drilling picks up in the Gulf of Mexico. Companies are concerned about finding enough skilled workers in a locally tight labor market. For mariners, a variety of training programs at different levels and costs are offered in south Louisiana.

  • – an unmanned, 35-ft. craft in development – during a demonstration on the Atchafalaya River next to its HQ. The company partnered with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette more than a year ago to produce technology for a vessel that can navigate without a pilot aboard. Swiftships and ULL are designing a

  • W.J. Amoss Jr., prominent New Orleans steamship executive, has been named Louisiana's Maritime Man of the Year by the Past President's Council of The Propeller Club of New Orleans, it was announced by Roy J. Dupre, chairman of the selection committee. Mr. Amoss, who is president and a director of

  • The New Jersey firm of Richard F. O'Boyle, Inc., has been named sales associate for Esgard Inc., a Lafayette, La., manufacturer of rust and corrosion preventatives that are distributed worldwide. Richard F. O'Boyle, president of the sales firm, said his organization will represent the entire product

  • Equitable Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, La., recently launched the first of two ferries being built for the State of Louisiana, Department of Highways. The ferryboat New Roads is the first of two ferries to be built by Equitable Shipyards, Inc. for the State of Louisiana, Department of Highways.

  • area, generating $1.7 billion of spending in the area and over 7,300 jobs according to a study recently conducted by the Port of South Louisiana. Louisiana's Lower Mississippi River ports handle more tons of cargo than any other port area in the world. The main component of t h a t cargo

  • is available from the forward end of the engine. Haldor A. Haldorsen, one of the five sons of the originator of the engine, moved from Norway to Louisiana with his family and is president of Wichmann Diesel, Inc. The service manager, Tormod H. Hansen, is also from the factory in Norway, with the balance

  • Ecomarine USA recently awarded two Louisiana shipyards contracts to build the first of two series of multimission environmental vessels, model ECO-8OO and the model ECO-110. The vessels will monitor and control water pollution and clean up oil slicks and other chemi- cal spills. Ecomarine, formed

  • that calls for a two-cents-per-barrel tax on crude oil transferred from barges or tankers at marine facilities in the state is being created by Louisiana officials. Estimated at $10 million annually, the fund would be administered by a coordinator within the office of Gov. Buddy Roemer. According to

  • MN Feb-24#41  
(CTV) for WIN- Brothers in Louisiana.
DEA CTV—a  At 30 meters)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 41

    vessels are under construction at St Johns, and transfer vessels construction of the ? fth vessel is well underway at Breaux (CTV) for WIN- Brothers in Louisiana. DEA CTV—a At 30 meters long, the CTVs are the largest built in the US based joint U.S. to date. The USCG Subchapter L-certi? ed vessels are venture

  • MN Feb-24#8   shore wind. The state of Louisiana has signed two leases)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 8

    Wind, And it is not just federal agencies that are advancing off- SouthCoast Wind, Pack City Wind, Empire Wind 1 and shore wind. The state of Louisiana has signed two leases in 2, Beacon Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind projects, together its waters for bottom-? xed wind farms with a combined representing

  • MT Nov-23#23 , at the Thoma-Sea yard in 
Louisiana. Key design features)
    November 2023 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 23

    vessel. It is one of the largest ? sh- ing vessels designed by the company. The vessel was built, in line with the Jones Act, at the Thoma-Sea yard in Louisiana. Key design features include a wave piercing bow, which reduces fuel Portable System Requires only consumption and reduces slamming in Wavelet

  • MT Nov-23#22  Maritime and built by Louisiana’s  strong return on)
    November 2023 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 22

    sh ef? ciently. The 100m long Arctic Fjord, excellent catches, outstanding environmental performance, and a designed by Kongsberg Maritime and built by Louisiana’s strong return on investment for this forward-thinking shipowner.” Thoma-Sea Marine Constructor, will commence full-time op- Kongsberg Discovery

  • MN Jun-23#27  (built by Metal Shark in Louisiana)
research ships for)
    June 2023 - Marine News page: 27

    While awaiting the SSCs, active contracts include: (NOAA) to acquire two new the Navy conducted a ser- - 40 Foot Patrol Boat (built by Metal Shark in Louisiana) research ships for NOAA’s vice life extension program - Harbor Security Boats (built by Metal Shark in Louisiana) ocean exploration and scien-

  • MN Jun-23#26  boats per year.  LLC in Louisiana. These berthing and)
    June 2023 - Marine News page: 26

    , the nation and its partners. (YRBM) barge which is being built by Conrad Shipyard The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. LLC in Louisiana. These berthing and messing barges are Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, pro- bringing signi? cant quality of life improvements

  • MN Aug-23#43  dredging projects in Louisiana and 
A new cutter suction)
    August 2023 - Marine News page: 43

    50-foot Lorraine Hooks, with a dredging depth of 75 feet, will be deployed on both coastal resto- Mike Hooks ration and navigation dredging projects in Louisiana and A new cutter suction dredge (CSD) has been christened for across the Gulf region to improve climate resiliency and Westlake, La. based dredging

  • MN Aug-23#36  May?  ower 
Wind project. Louisiana-based Metal Shark is)
    August 2023 - Marine News page: 36

    Services, which will be chartered for work at Vinyard Wind. The Somerset, Mass. Shipbuilder is also building at CTV for the May? ower Wind project. Louisiana-based Metal Shark is believed to have ? rm orders for three CTVs, with options for three additional vessels. Port Angeles, Wash. shipyard Platypus

  • MR May-23#51  from the hub by 
in South Louisiana.” The hub received a)
    May 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 51

    gura and Sempra. seeking to “…establish a world-leading clean hydrogen cluster They suggest that: “When it is to be exported from the hub by in South Louisiana.” The hub received a $50 million Federal rail or ship, hydrogen likely will be reacted into ammonia, which grant in September 2022 from the Build

  • MN Apr-23#41  Association, based 
in Louisiana. 
Designed by U.K.-based)
    April 2023 - Marine News page: 41

    Vessels Crescent River Port Pilots Order Two Vessels boats for the Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association, based in Louisiana. Designed by U.K.-based Camarc Design, the all-alumi- num vessels have a re? ned hull with enhanced fuel ef? cien- cies and reduced slamming accelerations, which provide excellen

  • MN Apr-23#40  will be powered by two Louisiana 
CAT-supplied Caterpillar)
    April 2023 - Marine News page: 40

    superstructure for additional onboard comfort. Its pilothouse eyeline will be 47 feet above the water. The mighty vessel will be powered by two Louisiana CAT-supplied Caterpillar C280-12 main engines produc- ing approximately 11,000 HP, paired with two Reintjes WAF 6755 reduction gears from Karl

  • MN Apr-23#35  line items are exercised. Louisiana-based Bollinger 
Shipyards)
    April 2023 - Marine News page: 35

    16 river buoy tenders and 11 inland construction tenders, and the total contract value is estimated at $1.19 billion if all line items are exercised. Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has been subcontracted to build the hulls. Government shipbuilding programs, as well as other vessel types such as pilot

  • MN Apr-23#33  Florida and Gulf 
Craft in Louisiana, but Lewis noted 
that)
    April 2023 - Marine News page: 33

    Blount Boats and Senseco Marine in Rhode Island, Gladding-Hearn Ship- building in Massachusetts, St. Johns Ship Building in Florida and Gulf Craft in Louisiana, but Lewis noted that each has certain capacity limita- tions and that the demand for these vessels will be strong—potentially hundreds over the

  • MN Apr-23#32  Fabricators 
facility in Louisiana, with batteries to supplement)
    April 2023 - Marine News page: 32

    (DOT) will be taking delivery in 2023 of Esperanza “Hope” Andrade, a double ended vessel built at the Gulf Island Fabricators facility in Louisiana, with batteries to supplement its diesel electric powerplant. THE RISE OF OFFSHORE WIND Unprecedented opportunities also exist in the United States’

  • MR Feb-23#21  Cutter at Bollinger in Louisiana.
• The ?  rst four hulls)
    February 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 21

    . • The Coast Guard also continues to build National Security Cutters at Inglalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi and Fast Re- sponse Cutter at Bollinger in Louisiana. • The ? rst four hulls of the new Offshore Patrol Cutter are being built at Eastern Shipbuilding in Florida, with the second group of hulls has

  • MN Feb-23#34  and another at Gulf Craft in Louisiana.
The burgeoning offshore)
    February 2023 - Marine News page: 34

    trademark Scandinavian design Ems Maritime Offshore—including two at St Johns Ship elements,” in Viking’s words. Building and another at Gulf Craft in Louisiana. The burgeoning offshore wind activities, initially in the The path toward the future, where the passenger sec- New England and mid-Atlantic states

  • MN Feb-23#32  went to Washington State  Louisiana Department of Transportation)
    February 2023 - Marine News page: 32

    2022, under its multi-year Ferry Boat which serves Minnesota’s Lake Superior region, and the Program. The largest awards went to Washington State Louisiana Department of Transportation ($3 million). The Ferries ($38.3 million), and Alaska Marine Highway Sys- Gulf Island yard, in Houma, La. is also completing

  • MN Feb-23#19  the coast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, in a se-
vere thunderstorm)
    February 2023 - Marine News page: 19

    the vessel, SAR crews may have been able to ? nd them. • On April 13, 2021, the liftboat SEACOR Power cap- sized off the coast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, in a se- vere thunderstorm. Six crewmembers were rescued by the Coast Guard and Good Samaritan vessels, and the bodies of six other fatally injured

  • MN Feb-23#8 , a joint venture between Louisiana- All of the parts [in)
    February 2023 - Marine News page: 8

    , corporate type work”. Today he serves as managing director at the third startup he’s helped build, e1 Marine. he company, a joint venture between Louisiana- All of the parts [in e1 Marine’s solution] have already been based marine equipment lessor Maritime Partners, commercialized in other industries

  • MR Nov-22#20  products in and around Louisiana  bene?  ts, but the)
    November 2022 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 20

    American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL), he said. “We were very impressed with hydrogen’s emissions likely to move petroleum products in and around Louisiana bene? ts, but the challenges with transporting and storing hy- and Texas. “The global shipping industry has been driving to drogen increased the

  • MN Nov-22#71 Cameron Ferries 
The Louisiana Department of Transportation)
    November 2022 - Marine News page: 71

    Cameron Ferries The Louisiana Department of Transportation and De- velopment (DOTD) received an apparent low bid from Houma, La. based Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors for the construction of two new ferry boats for the Cameron crossing in Cameron Parish. The bid was $49,706,865. Construction of the two

  • MN Nov-22#61  and the citizens of south Louisiana.
   www.marinelink.com)
    November 2022 - Marine News page: 61

    needs onboard. broad, lasting and meaningful impact on the entire district Richard Tremayne, Thompson’s Marine Business Man- and the citizens of south Louisiana. www.marinelink.com MN 61

  • MN Nov-22#39  
Mississippi River. 
and Louisiana. Charles Camillo is)
    November 2022 - Marine News page: 39

    trip on the Riv- interruptions to the ? ow of commerce along the er, holding four public meetings in Tennessee, Mississippi Mississippi River. and Louisiana. Charles Camillo is MRC’s Executive Direc- tor. He said these meetings have been held since 1882. The seven-member Commission was established in

  • MN Oct-22#48  for Casco Bay Lines, Louisiana DOTD and 
E  B  D  GLLIOTT)
    October 2022 - Marine News page: 48

    vessels in the U.S. In addition, three of the ? rm’s hybrid-electric passenger/vehicle ferry designs are entering construction for Casco Bay Lines, Louisiana DOTD and E B D GLLIOTT AY ESIGN ROUP Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG), in business for 34 The Trust for Governors Island, and it is beginning