By Mark Edward Nero
Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm Jensen Maritime has designed a new high performance tractor tug for Vessel Chartering that features some of the first Tier IV engines meeting higher federal air emissions standards among US tugboats.
The multipurpose tractor tug, which is being built by JT Marine of Vancouver, Washington, was jointly developed by San Francisco-based Vessel Chartering and Jensen, a subsidiary of Crowley Maritime, Crowley said May 4.
The 110-foot long vessel is designed to have the ship assist and escort capabilities of smaller harbor tugs, while featuring the improved towing performance and increased range of larger ocean-going tugs. Also, the escort capability was enhanced to provide support for assisting large, 18,000-TEU containerships due to an increased future demand in West Coast ports. The design offers the flexibility to support ship escorts, assists and towing.
The engines are designed to meet the federal Tier IV standard, which incorporate the emissions-reducing performance requirements by the US Environmental Protection Agency. To meet the requirements, the two engines on this vessel use systems that clean exhaust gases after they have left the engines. This is the third tugboat designed by Jensen Maritime with engines meeting the Tier IV requirement.
The tug was also designed without any ballast tanks, thereby eliminating the need for ballast water discharge and the potential transfer of invasive species. Instead of ballast tanks, the tug will transfer fuel, as necessary, in order to maintain proper trim.
The 40-foot wide vessel is to be powered by a pair of 3,385-horsepower Caterpillar 3516 Tier IV engines. With an electrically powered, double drum tow winch aft by Rapp USA and an electrically powered hawser winch forward by Markey Machinery as deck machinery, the vessel will be capable of a 93-to-95 short-ton bollard pull. Both winches’ electrical power will remove any chance of a hydraulic oil spill on deck.
The tug is designed to carry up to 123,000 gallons of fuel, 4,300 gallons of fresh water, and up to 4,500 gallons of urea, which is used for treatment of the main engine exhausts in order to meet Tier IV emissions requirements.
A water maker is being installed for potable water when out at sea, and a large pilot house will provide all-around visibility. The deckhouse has an open feel with a large mess and lounge area along with accommodations for a 10-person crew.
The tug’s planned for delivery in the second quarter of 2017 to Vessel Chartering, a wholly owned division of San Francisco-based tanker escort and assist company Baydelta Navigation.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Cleaner Ferry Exhaust System Developed
By Mark Edward Nero
Vancouver, Washington-based engine and services provider Pacific Power Group has engineered a propulsion system with an exhaust treatment system for two new San Francisco Water Emergency Transportation Authority ferries that the engine supplier expects to be the cleanest-operating passenger ferries in the US.
PPG said May 9 that third-party independent emissions tests completed at its Kent, Washington location in January show that the system’s emissions are believed to be lower than any currently operating passenger ferry in the US. The MTU engines are certified to EPA Tier 3 marine emission levels and with the added exhaust after-treatment system, EPA Tier 4 Final level performance is achieved without the use of diesel particulate filters.
The independent emissions tests were conducted and verified by Infowedge and the University of California at Riverside Center for Environmental Research and Technology.
PPG’s custom-engineered solution focused on the operating conditions with the greatest emissions outputs with a high priority on vessel operational reliability and keeping weight and space claim to a minimum. The system could eliminate an estimated 10 tons of NOx, PM and CO emissions annually through the use of selective catalytic reduction and diesel oxidation catalyst technologies.
The complete propulsion system includes two MTU 12V4000M64 1,950-hp engines and ZF 7600 reduction gears. MTU Series 4000 engines provide clean-running operation that helps lower the ferries’ emissions output. The Series 4000 engines also offer increased safety, lower fuel consumption and greater reliability for the commercial passenger vessels.
PPG said its engineers worked with Vigor Industrial’s Kvichak Marine Industries to develop a system that physically fits the vessel design, meets weight goals and provides easy installation and maintenance for the Water Emergency Transportation Authority.
The ferries will replace two of WETA’s 12-vessel fleet that are nearing the end of their expected 25-year life. Each vessel will be able to carry about 400 passengers and operate at about 27 knots.
Designed by Incat Crowther, each will be a 135-by-38-foot all-aluminum catamaran. The ferries are currently under construction at Vigor’s Kvichak shipyard and are expected to be in service by the summer of 2017.
Vancouver, Washington-based engine and services provider Pacific Power Group has engineered a propulsion system with an exhaust treatment system for two new San Francisco Water Emergency Transportation Authority ferries that the engine supplier expects to be the cleanest-operating passenger ferries in the US.
PPG said May 9 that third-party independent emissions tests completed at its Kent, Washington location in January show that the system’s emissions are believed to be lower than any currently operating passenger ferry in the US. The MTU engines are certified to EPA Tier 3 marine emission levels and with the added exhaust after-treatment system, EPA Tier 4 Final level performance is achieved without the use of diesel particulate filters.
The independent emissions tests were conducted and verified by Infowedge and the University of California at Riverside Center for Environmental Research and Technology.
PPG’s custom-engineered solution focused on the operating conditions with the greatest emissions outputs with a high priority on vessel operational reliability and keeping weight and space claim to a minimum. The system could eliminate an estimated 10 tons of NOx, PM and CO emissions annually through the use of selective catalytic reduction and diesel oxidation catalyst technologies.
The complete propulsion system includes two MTU 12V4000M64 1,950-hp engines and ZF 7600 reduction gears. MTU Series 4000 engines provide clean-running operation that helps lower the ferries’ emissions output. The Series 4000 engines also offer increased safety, lower fuel consumption and greater reliability for the commercial passenger vessels.
PPG said its engineers worked with Vigor Industrial’s Kvichak Marine Industries to develop a system that physically fits the vessel design, meets weight goals and provides easy installation and maintenance for the Water Emergency Transportation Authority.
The ferries will replace two of WETA’s 12-vessel fleet that are nearing the end of their expected 25-year life. Each vessel will be able to carry about 400 passengers and operate at about 27 knots.
Designed by Incat Crowther, each will be a 135-by-38-foot all-aluminum catamaran. The ferries are currently under construction at Vigor’s Kvichak shipyard and are expected to be in service by the summer of 2017.
Monthly POLB Volumes Down 22 Percent
By Mark Edward Nero
Port of Long Beach container cargo volumes decreased significantly last month compared to the same month in 2015, after lower-than-expected consumer spending in recent months.
Total container cargo volume was down 22.1 percent compared to April 2015.
The port moved a total of 478,842 TEUs last month according to its data, including 247,316 TEUs in imports, while exports totaled 112,805 TEUs.
Empty containers, which are returned overseas to be refilled with imports, were down 25.8 percent to 118,721 TEUs, according to the port’s data, which was released May 13.
Through the first four months of 2016, cargo volume was down 2.2 percent, reflecting slowing economic growth nationally. US GDP was up 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 followed by 2016 first quarter GDP growth of only 0.5 percent.
“Economic conditions today are very volatile, but we remain confident in our long-term prospects,” noted Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. “The Port of Long Beach is preparing for economic uncertainty by carefully reviewing our budget and looking for savings at every opportunity. While we still have significant modernization projects planned for the next 10 years, the pace of the projects will be determined by the health of the economy.” The port says the numbers decline reflects shifts in evolving vessel alliances that have shifted ship deployments. “The additional berthing choices offered by vessel alliances are dispersing cargo across more terminals and ports,” Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup said. “These volume shifts will continue to occur as newly formed alliances take shape.”
Details on the latest and past cargo numbers are available at www.polb.com/stats.
Port of Long Beach container cargo volumes decreased significantly last month compared to the same month in 2015, after lower-than-expected consumer spending in recent months.
Total container cargo volume was down 22.1 percent compared to April 2015.
The port moved a total of 478,842 TEUs last month according to its data, including 247,316 TEUs in imports, while exports totaled 112,805 TEUs.
Empty containers, which are returned overseas to be refilled with imports, were down 25.8 percent to 118,721 TEUs, according to the port’s data, which was released May 13.
Through the first four months of 2016, cargo volume was down 2.2 percent, reflecting slowing economic growth nationally. US GDP was up 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 followed by 2016 first quarter GDP growth of only 0.5 percent.
“Economic conditions today are very volatile, but we remain confident in our long-term prospects,” noted Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. “The Port of Long Beach is preparing for economic uncertainty by carefully reviewing our budget and looking for savings at every opportunity. While we still have significant modernization projects planned for the next 10 years, the pace of the projects will be determined by the health of the economy.” The port says the numbers decline reflects shifts in evolving vessel alliances that have shifted ship deployments. “The additional berthing choices offered by vessel alliances are dispersing cargo across more terminals and ports,” Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup said. “These volume shifts will continue to occur as newly formed alliances take shape.”
Details on the latest and past cargo numbers are available at www.polb.com/stats.
Monthly POLA Container Volumes Flat
By Mark Edward Nero
Despite a slight drop in monthly volume for April, overall cargo volume for the first four months of 2016 was up eight percent compared to 2015 at the Port of Los Angeles, according to data.
“We’re encouraged that shippers and supply chain decision makers continue to show confidence in the Port of Los Angeles,” POLA Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement. “While the pace of global trade and US retailer imports has eased recently, our work and progress on supply chain optimization has put the Port of Los Angeles on track to drive market opportunities.”
Total April 2016 volumes registered at 656,177 TEUs, a decrease of one percent compared to the same month in 2015. April loaded imports increased 4.7 percent to 343,574 TEUs and loaded exports fell one percent to 144,103 TEUs.
However, total loaded TEUs increased 2.9 percent to 487,677 TEUs. When factoring in a decrease of 10.9 percent in the movement of empty containers, overall April container volumes were 656,177 TEUs.
During the first quarter of calendar year 2016, the port moved 2.68 million TEUs, an eight percent jump over the 2.48 million units shipped during the same four-month period last year.
So far during the current fiscal year, which began July 1, LA has seen 6.9 million units, a 2.5 percent jump from the 6.77 million TEUs during the same 10 month period in FY 2015.
Current and past data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp.
Despite a slight drop in monthly volume for April, overall cargo volume for the first four months of 2016 was up eight percent compared to 2015 at the Port of Los Angeles, according to data.
“We’re encouraged that shippers and supply chain decision makers continue to show confidence in the Port of Los Angeles,” POLA Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement. “While the pace of global trade and US retailer imports has eased recently, our work and progress on supply chain optimization has put the Port of Los Angeles on track to drive market opportunities.”
Total April 2016 volumes registered at 656,177 TEUs, a decrease of one percent compared to the same month in 2015. April loaded imports increased 4.7 percent to 343,574 TEUs and loaded exports fell one percent to 144,103 TEUs.
However, total loaded TEUs increased 2.9 percent to 487,677 TEUs. When factoring in a decrease of 10.9 percent in the movement of empty containers, overall April container volumes were 656,177 TEUs.
During the first quarter of calendar year 2016, the port moved 2.68 million TEUs, an eight percent jump over the 2.48 million units shipped during the same four-month period last year.
So far during the current fiscal year, which began July 1, LA has seen 6.9 million units, a 2.5 percent jump from the 6.77 million TEUs during the same 10 month period in FY 2015.
Current and past data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Vigor Lays Keel for Olympic-Class Ferry
By Mark Edward Nero
The Washington state officials this week took part in a keel-laying ceremony marking the beginning of construction of a new vessel that will add to its Olympic-class ferry fleet.
On May 10, Gov. Jay Inslee, state Sen. Christine Rolfes and Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman struck ceremonial welds on the keel of the ferry Suquamish at shipbuilder Vigor Industrial’s Harbor Island Shipyard in Seattle.
Traditionally, a keel-laying ceremony is said to bring good luck during construction and to the captain and crew who will operate the vessel.
The keel-laying ceremony came weeks after significant progress was made on the third Olympic-class vessel, Chimacum. Last month, Chimacum’s superstructure was joined to its hull in dry dock at Vigor. Construction on Chimacum is now about 75 percent complete, according to the Washington State Dept. of Transportation.
“The simultaneous construction of two vessels is exciting,” Matt Von Ruden, director of vessels for Washington State Ferries, said. “We hope to continue investing in long-term ferry build programs to keep up with our increasing ridership and replace our aging fleet.”
The 144-car Suquamish is the fourth Olympic-class vessel and has not been assigned to a route yet. The first Olympic-class vessel, Tokitae, joined the Mukilteo/Clinton route in June 2014. The second, Samish, was put into service on the Anacortes/San Juans Island route in June 2015. Chimacum is expected to replace one of the older vessels on the Seattle/Bremerton route in 2017.
The new vessels are replacing vessels built during the 1950s and 1960s. Nine of 24 vessels in Washington State Ferries’ fleet are between 40 and 60 years old.
The Washington state officials this week took part in a keel-laying ceremony marking the beginning of construction of a new vessel that will add to its Olympic-class ferry fleet.
On May 10, Gov. Jay Inslee, state Sen. Christine Rolfes and Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman struck ceremonial welds on the keel of the ferry Suquamish at shipbuilder Vigor Industrial’s Harbor Island Shipyard in Seattle.
Traditionally, a keel-laying ceremony is said to bring good luck during construction and to the captain and crew who will operate the vessel.
The keel-laying ceremony came weeks after significant progress was made on the third Olympic-class vessel, Chimacum. Last month, Chimacum’s superstructure was joined to its hull in dry dock at Vigor. Construction on Chimacum is now about 75 percent complete, according to the Washington State Dept. of Transportation.
“The simultaneous construction of two vessels is exciting,” Matt Von Ruden, director of vessels for Washington State Ferries, said. “We hope to continue investing in long-term ferry build programs to keep up with our increasing ridership and replace our aging fleet.”
The 144-car Suquamish is the fourth Olympic-class vessel and has not been assigned to a route yet. The first Olympic-class vessel, Tokitae, joined the Mukilteo/Clinton route in June 2014. The second, Samish, was put into service on the Anacortes/San Juans Island route in June 2015. Chimacum is expected to replace one of the older vessels on the Seattle/Bremerton route in 2017.
The new vessels are replacing vessels built during the 1950s and 1960s. Nine of 24 vessels in Washington State Ferries’ fleet are between 40 and 60 years old.
Vancouver USA Appoints Interim CEO
By Mark Edward Nero
On May 10, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Julianna Marler as the port’s interim CEO, effective May 20.
Marler steps up to the helm as current CEO Todd Coleman departs the port on May 19.
She has been with the Port of Vancouver since September 2008, and in October 2014 was appointed Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. As CFAO, her duties have included developing and establishing business policies; overall operational and budget responsibility for administration, contracts, information technology, finance and accounting; and ensuring that all activities and operations are performed in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws.
Prior to joining the port, Marler worked for the City of Vancouver for nine years as a procurement services manager, responsible for the purchasing, contract administration and accounts payable divisions.
“Julianna has exactly the skills we need right now,” port commission President Jerry Oliver said. “She is a well-respected leader with the right perspective for the projects and issues at hand, and she has the support of the port’s leadership team.”
Also during the May 10 meeting, the Board of Commissioners directed staff to begin the process of recruiting a new permanent CEO. The process, according to the port, is likely to take three to six months, and could include engaging with a recruiting firm to assist in the process.
Current CEO Todd Coleman said May 3 that he was stepping down from the position.
Coleman, an engineer by trade, began his career with the port in 2001, when he was hired as facilities manager. After three promotions, he was named deputy executive director in 2005. He was appointed CEO in 2012 and said at the time that he intended to lead the port for just four years.
On May 10, the Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Julianna Marler as the port’s interim CEO, effective May 20.
Marler steps up to the helm as current CEO Todd Coleman departs the port on May 19.
She has been with the Port of Vancouver since September 2008, and in October 2014 was appointed Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. As CFAO, her duties have included developing and establishing business policies; overall operational and budget responsibility for administration, contracts, information technology, finance and accounting; and ensuring that all activities and operations are performed in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws.
Prior to joining the port, Marler worked for the City of Vancouver for nine years as a procurement services manager, responsible for the purchasing, contract administration and accounts payable divisions.
“Julianna has exactly the skills we need right now,” port commission President Jerry Oliver said. “She is a well-respected leader with the right perspective for the projects and issues at hand, and she has the support of the port’s leadership team.”
Also during the May 10 meeting, the Board of Commissioners directed staff to begin the process of recruiting a new permanent CEO. The process, according to the port, is likely to take three to six months, and could include engaging with a recruiting firm to assist in the process.
Current CEO Todd Coleman said May 3 that he was stepping down from the position.
Coleman, an engineer by trade, began his career with the port in 2001, when he was hired as facilities manager. After three promotions, he was named deputy executive director in 2005. He was appointed CEO in 2012 and said at the time that he intended to lead the port for just four years.
NASSCO Launches 3rd LNG-Ready Tanker
By Mark Edward Nero
On May 7, General Dynamics NASSCO shipbuilders in San Diego launched and christened the third in a series of ECO-class tankers. Once delivered, Garden State would also join the ranks as one of the more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly product tankers globally.
Garden State is the latest of a five-tanker contract between NASSCO and American Petroleum Tankers, which calls for the design and construction of five 50,000-deadweight-ton, LNG-conversion-ready product carriers with a 330,000-barrel cargo capacity.
On April 23, NASSCO hosted a similar christening ceremony in San Diego for its second ECO-class tanker for American Petroleum Tankers, Magnolia State.
The 610-foot-long tankers are equipped with a new design enabling improvement in fuel efficiency. They will be used to transport products — such as petroleum — that help fuel America’s businesses and homes.
The construction and operation of Garden State and its sister ships are aligned with the Jones Act, requiring that ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports be built in U.S. shipyards.
Garden State, along with others in the ECO class, are the first in the Jones Act fleet to obtain a PMA-plus notation, representing compliance with one of the highest standards of human factors in engineering design.
The ships were designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering of South Korea. The design incorporates improved fuel efficiency concepts through several features, including a G-series MAN ME slow-speed main engine and an optimized hull form.
The tankers will also have dual-fuel-capable auxiliary engines and the ability to accommodate future installation of an LNG fuel-gas system.
On May 7, General Dynamics NASSCO shipbuilders in San Diego launched and christened the third in a series of ECO-class tankers. Once delivered, Garden State would also join the ranks as one of the more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly product tankers globally.
Garden State is the latest of a five-tanker contract between NASSCO and American Petroleum Tankers, which calls for the design and construction of five 50,000-deadweight-ton, LNG-conversion-ready product carriers with a 330,000-barrel cargo capacity.
On April 23, NASSCO hosted a similar christening ceremony in San Diego for its second ECO-class tanker for American Petroleum Tankers, Magnolia State.
The 610-foot-long tankers are equipped with a new design enabling improvement in fuel efficiency. They will be used to transport products — such as petroleum — that help fuel America’s businesses and homes.
The construction and operation of Garden State and its sister ships are aligned with the Jones Act, requiring that ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports be built in U.S. shipyards.
Garden State, along with others in the ECO class, are the first in the Jones Act fleet to obtain a PMA-plus notation, representing compliance with one of the highest standards of human factors in engineering design.
The ships were designed by DSEC, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering of South Korea. The design incorporates improved fuel efficiency concepts through several features, including a G-series MAN ME slow-speed main engine and an optimized hull form.
The tankers will also have dual-fuel-capable auxiliary engines and the ability to accommodate future installation of an LNG fuel-gas system.
