Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Alaska News

Schottel Propulsion for Four New Saltchuk Escort Tugs

Schottel won an order to supply azimuthing thrusters for four new escort tugs for Seattle-based Saltchuk Marine, the beginning of the renewal of the Saltchuk fleet for operations on the US West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska.To be built by Eastern Shipbuilding, the vessels are a RApport 2600 design by Canadian naval architect Robert Allan and will measure 25.6 x 12.8m with a 5.5-m draft. Accommodation will be provided for eight persons, and they will be operated by Foss Maritime.Each tug will be equipped with two azimuthing Schottel RudderPropellers of the type SRP 510 each.

© sheilaf2002 / Adobe Stock

US Harbor Craft: Measuring Opportunity for Zero Emissions

There are more than 4,000 harbor craft vessels in the U.S. deemed highly suited for zero-emissions operations, according to a recent report produced by CALSTART in partnership with Intelatus Global Partners.The report - “Sizing the U.S. and California Harbor Craft Market” - looked at the U.S. commercial harbor craft and inland and nearshore vessels above 600 kilowatts (kW) or 805 brake horsepower. Approximately 10,000 vessels were counted in total, including crew and supply boats…

The five-bladed controllable pitch propeller on the Maunalei showing a fracture (inset) at the base of the no. 4 blade. (Source: U.S. Coast Guard)

Flawed Propeller Blade Caused Containership to Lose of Propulsion -NTSB

A containership transiting the Pacific Ocean lost hydraulic oil and propulsion after its propeller blade cracked, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A blade on the vessel’s controllable pitch propeller system did not meet manufacturer design specifications, the investigation found.The Matson containership Maunalei was travelling to Portland, Ore., from Anchorage, Alaska on August 11, 2022, for drydock repairs when the crew intentionally shut down the main engine due to problems in the controllable pitch propeller system…

(Photo: MAN Energy Solutions)

OSG to Upgrade Engines on Its Alaska Class Tankers

U.S. shipping company Overseas Shipholding Group announced it will upgrade all four vessels in its Alaskan Class fleet with new methanol-ready engines from MAN Energy Solutions.The vessels Alaskan Explorer, Alaskan Frontier, Alaskan Legend and Alaskan Navigator, all approaching 20 years in age, will receive significant engine and operational improvements, resulting in environmental benefits as well as extending their commercially useful life, OSG said.The lifecycle engine upgrades involve a series of technical and commercial enhancements…

(Photo: Allen Marine Tours)

Allen Marine Tours to Repower Two Vessels with Scania Engines

Scania was selected by Allen Marine Tours to power a pair of their eco tour vessels. The two 78-foot QUAD powered vessels will each be repowered with Scania V8 DI16 082M, 800 HP engines delivered by Cascade Engine Center. The custom-built catamarans are capable of 30 plus knots at their full capacity of 150 passengers, and speeds in excess of 35 knots with a lighter load.“We have seen a lot of interest in our V8,16-liter engines by tour operators in ecologically sensitive areas like Alaska due to their low environmental impact…

(Photo: Scania)

Scania to Power MSRC's Oil Response Vessels

Engine manufacturer Scania on Thursday announced it has been selected by Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) to power its new fleet of five 47-foot Skimmer oil response vessels, built by Rozema Boat Works. Powered by twin DI13 087M 700hp engines provided by Cascade Engine Center, the new vessels will be delivered in 2023.Formed in conjunction with the Marine Preservation Association in 1990 by oil and gas companies, MSRC is a not-for-profit organization with U.S. Coast Guard OSRO classification in every U.S. captain of the port zone except Alaska.

(File photo: MSHS)

MSHS Acquires West Coast Pacific Power Group

Motor Services Hugo Stamp, Inc. (MSHS) said it has acquired marine, power generation and commercial automatic transmissions business Pacific Power Group (PPG).The PPG/MSHS partnership will involve both companies functioning as separate brands. The partnership will also have the capability to leverage broader and deeper expertise through its technical talent located across North America. PPG’s nine facilities extend services throughout the Western United States, Alaska, Hawaii…

(Image: Scania)

eMachine: Scania’s New Hybrid Marine Power Solution

This is a transcendent time in the marine industry as stakeholders explore new technologies to drive efficiency gains and reduce emissions. At the end of 2022, Scania will introduce its new its new electric hybrid package, eMachine, at the Electric & Hybrid Exhibition.The hybrid and full electric offering ranges from 150 to 230 kilowatts continuous electric power, with all hardware and intelligence included. “The package we're launching is made for making sustainable solutions easy and accessible for all our customers—current and new ones.

©Cummins

Cummins: New Keel-cooled QSC8.3 600 Horsepower Rating for Marine Vessels

Cummins has introduced a new rating for its QSC8.3 propulsion engine, expanding the keel-cooled solution to 600 horsepower with an engine speed of 2800 rpm."This addition to the QSC8.3 power range means Cummins now offers 493 horsepower - 600 horsepower (368-441 kW) for both keel cooled and heat exchanger solutions," the company said."Cummins is the first engine manufacturer to bring this power dense rating with a keel cooling option to market," the company said."Optimized for use in light-duty applications including patrol boats and parasail boats…

© magann / Adobe Stock

Running on Hydrogen – Can it Work?

Hydrogen as fuel was in the spotlight during the last two weeks. The Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on February 10 looking at H challenges in the transportation, utility, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.A week later, the US House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology held a hearing titled "H2Success: Research and Development to Advance a Clean Hydrogen Future."Also, of note, the US Department of Energy published two hydrogen RFIs - "requests for information." One on "Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing…

(Photo: All American Marine)

The Valdez Spirit: Repowering for a Promising Future

A true family business, Stan and Mary Helen Stephens started operating fishing and hunting charters out of Valdez, Alaska on their first vessel the 26-foot m/v Mary Helen, in 1971. Soon after, the rest of the family joined in, operating tours on the waters around Valdez and in Prince William Sound. They have been promoting the beautiful scenery and important resources of this community ever since, officially as Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises. The business has remained a valuable community asset, contributing economic, educational and environmental benefits to this region.

(Photo: Cascade Engine Center)

Mitsubishi Names New US West Coast Distributor

Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine America (MTEA) has appointed Cascade Engine Center, located in Seattle, as its marine engine division's new West Coast distributor effective August 11, 2020Cascade Engine Center will have responsibility for Alaska, Washington State, Oregon, California and Hawaii.“The addition of the Mitsubishi Heavy Duty engine lineup to Cascade Engine Center will complement our current commercial engine business, allowing us to support most commercial marine applications on the West Coast,” stated Tim A.

The hefty bow, characteristic of a McIlwain design

North Arm Transport: Innovation in Towing

Founded in 1958 as an extension of the Stradiotti family businesses, North Arm Transportation has grown to be a significant fuel company on the BC coast. Over the years, the company fleet has expanded and evolved. With tugs in a range of size and power, as well as cargo and fuel barges, the company services the coast out of its headquarters in Vancouver on the North Arm of the Fraser River. They also have facilities on Mitchell Island in the Fraser and at Masset on Haida Gwaii.

Richmond (Photo: Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding)

Gladding-Hearn Delivers New Launch to Virginia Pilots

The Virginia Pilot Association has taken delivery of a Chesapeake Class MK II launch from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, its ninth pilot boat built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard since 1983.The Virginia pilots’ new launch Richmond incorporates the performance benefits of Volvo Penta’s IPS three-pod system and Humphree interceptors. “The combination of the Volvo Penta IPS system and the Humphree interceptors produces lower sound levels and improved comfort and higher speed, while burning about 25 percent less fuel…

(Photo: Mike Fourtner/Cummins)

Repower of the Tug Gretchen H

As sometimes happens with boats in the maritime world, the recent repower of a tug shone a light on a pair of well known independent companies. The tug Gretchen H. (ex Harry Olsen, Polar Breeze) was built by Rodriguez Shipbuilding of Coden Alabama in 1997 and is currently owned, since 2005, by Boyer Towing.The Gretchen H is a good solid boat and her owners decided she was well worth a new set of engines. At 80 by 30 feet she has an eleven foot depth. As with many tugs out of the Rodriguez yard she has triple propellers and triple engines. She had an older set of engines rated at 700 HP each.

Hurtigruten's MS Roald Amundsen in the Northwest passage - as the first hybrid powered ship to traverse the legendary passage. PHOTO: KARSTEN BIDSTRUP/HURTIGRUTEN

Hurtigruten Hybrid Completes NW Passage Trip

This week, Hurtigruten’s expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen wrote a new chapter in exploration history – the first battery-hybrid powered ship to traverse the Northwest Passage.As the MS Roald Amundsen arrived Nome, Alaska, in the evening of September 10, captain Kai Albrigtsen could make a monumental entry in the ship’s logbook: The first complete passage of the more than 3.000 nautical miles passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by hybrid propulsion."Every expedition cruise with Hurtigruten is unique, yet this green milestone is literally making history with our guests.

Scania's 16L engine (CREDIT: Scania)

Cascade Engine Center's Scania Reach Expands

Scania USA Announces Expansion of Marine Territory for Distributor, Cascade Engine Center, LLC.As of September 1st, Cascade Engine Center, LLC has been assigned additional marine territory in the West Coast of the United States to include Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah.Cascade Engine Center currently represents Scania’s latest marine platform: 13- and 16-liter engines for auxiliary and propulsion applications; and currently distributes themin Alaska, Gulf Coast, Hawaii, Idaho…

R/V Nanuq Joins U. of Alaska Fleet

The College of Fisheries and Marine Science at the University of Alaska Fairbanks added a new Armstrong Marine-built research vessel to its fleet, Nanuq, which arrived in Seward, Alaska, ealiers this summer.The Port Angeles, Wash.-based boatbuilder designed the 40-foot aluminum hulled boat and Pacific Power Group, working closely with Armstrong, fit the vessel with a pair of Volvo Penta D6 engines that each deliver 330hp. The engines are paired with Aquamatic outdrives and Volvo…