Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Virginia News

(Photo: Henry Sohl / U.S. Navy)

BAE Systems Awarded $92 Million to Build Propulsors for US Navy Submarines

BAE Systems announced it has been awarded a $92 million U.S. Navy contract to continue building propulsors for the Virginia-class submarine program. Under this contract, BAE Systems will deliver the Propulsor Forward Assemblies, as well as design engineering support services and support and sustainment hardware.“During the more than three decades that BAE Systems has manufactured propulsors for the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet, we have developed significant expertise in the fabrication of complex heavy structures…

(Photo: Harvey Gulf)

Powering the North American Maritime Fuel Transition

Offshore service vessels, along with workboats serving harbors and inland rivers, have embarked on an industry-wide voyage toward reduced emissions of greenhouse gasses. Professor Craig Philip, a faculty member with Vanderbilt University’s Center for Transportation and Operational Resilience (VECTOR) and former CEO of Ingram Barge Company, provides this context: “The Maritime Sector has long provided shippers with the most fuel-efficient and sustainable freight transport option…

George Lewis (Photo: ZF)

ZF Marine Hires Lewis as Head of NA Commercial-Fast Craft Product Line

ZF Marine announced it has hired George Lewis as its new head of product line commercial-fast craft, North/Central America and the Caribbean, reporting to Wolfgang Schmid, ZF’s Industrial Division Head for North America.“ZF Marine welcomes George aboard and looks forward to the positive impact he will have upon the company’s sales across the Americas and Caribbean,” Schmid said. “With his deep industry knowledge and technical skill as a trained naval architect and proven sales leader…

USS Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship deployed in 2009, uses GE hybrid systems with electric and natural gas or diesel fired turbines to increase efficiency. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

US Navy Climate Plan Aims to Cut Emissions, Move to Low Carbon Fuels

The U.S. Navy released on Tuesday a climate strategy that aims to make the force more resilient to changes like sea level rise and coastal erosion while moving faster to low-carbon fuels and hybrid engines for ships and planes.The Climate Action 2030 plan, is part of the Biden administration's wider goal of decarbonizing the economy by 2050."By building a climate ready force, our sailors and Marines will be able to fight and win anywhere in the world in any condition," Meredith Berger…

Credit: Schottel

Schottel, Lyon Shipyard in U.S. Offshore Wind Push

Schottel said Wednesday it had reached an agreement with Norfolk-based Lyon Shipyard that positions both companies for the expansion of the U.S. offshore wind industry. The maritime propulsion specialist said the agreement was established based on the two companies' shared long-term strategy to support both the existing market and the up-and-coming offshore wind farm industry."U.S. wind farm operations will need a large fleet of Jones Act-qualified service operation vessels (SOVs), which will be fitted with thrusters and DP systems.

Torey Roberts, Mercury technical accounts manager, speaks with students at Fred K. Marchman Technical College in New Port Richey, Fla. (Photo: Mercury Marine)

Mercury Marine Partners with High Schools for Technician Training

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, has provided its Mercury University curriculum along with 90hp FourStroke outboard engines and tools to high schools in Florida, New York and Virginia to help prepare the next generation of marine service technicians and address the industry’s workforce shortage.In a survey conducted by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas prior to the pandemic, more than 85% of boat dealers suggested they had multiple positions in their businesses that were unfilled…

(Photo: Scania USA)

Scania USA Taps Laborde Products as Gulf Coast and Inland Distributor

Engine manufacturer Scania USA said it has appointed Laborde Products as its new distributor for Scania Marine products for the Gulf Coast and inland waterways regions, effective November 1.The Covington, La. headquartered engine and power systems distributor will take on sales, service and dealer development for Scania marine engines, ranging from 220 to 1,150 horsepower, for Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Southern Ohio…

File photo of Virginia-class submarine the future USS Delaware (SSN 791). (U.S. Navy photo: Ashley Cowan)

General Atomics Wins Naval Propulsor Contract

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) said it has been awarded a developmental contract by Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to provide manufacturing design drawings, engineering, fabrication, inspection, and assembly of prototype propulsor, shafting and bearing components as well as the equipment needed to support propulsor research and development, testing and evaluation.GA-EMS will work with NSWCCD to develop new propulsor components for both surface ships and submarines.

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: Volvo Penta

Volvo Penta Supplies PPE to Healthcare Workers

Volvo Penta  is taking action in response to the prevalent need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). At two of its North American facilities, the company is producing and distributing this vital protective gear to healthcare workers in the local communities and beyond. The efforts are part of an ongoing initiative from Volvo Group North America which plans to supply thousands of PPE units to healthcare operations across the country.The Volvo Penta engineering team at the company’s U.S. headquarters office in Chesapeake, Va., has led development of medical face shields.

Photo: Courtesy Senesco

Reinauer Group Ramps Up for the Business of Offshore Wind

The promise of a vibrant U.S. offshore wind business has been long in the making. While questions remain on timing and pace, there is renewed confidence in the offshore wind sector, particularly in the northeast United States (global pandemic notwithstanding). Investment in the sector had escalated to start 2020, embodied best by Reinauer Group and its WindServe Marine unit, which when combined with its Senesco Marine boatbuilding and logistics hub give its an ‘ A-to-Z, soup-to-nuts’ enviable position to build…

Laborde Products Named East Coast Distributor for Mitsubishi Marine

Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine America has named Laborde Products the new distributor for the East Coast of the United States for Mitsubishi Marine Engines. Laborde Products is currently the distributor for Gulf Coast, Inland Rivers and Great Lakes regions for Mitsubishi Marine Engines.Already a Mitsubishi Marine Engines distributor for Gulf Coast, Inland Rivers and Great Lakes regions, Laborde Products has more than 20 years of experience developing the brand in the U.S.

Ron Huibers, President Volvo Penta Americas

Changes to Volvo Penta Executive Group Announced

After 26 years with Volvo and 7 as President of Volvo Penta Americas, Ron Huibers has decided to retire from his current role and move to another role within Volvo Penta. Succeeding Ron will be Martin Bjuve, currently CFO and SVP Business Office Volvo Penta. Planned transition date will be January 1, 2020. Bjorn Ingemanson, President and CEO Volvo Penta, today announced that Ron Huibers, President Volvo Penta Americas, has decided to retire from his current role and take up a new role within the company. "The team, customers and industries we serve here have been exciting and rewarding.

(Photo: FMSNA)

USCG Buoy Tenders Set for Engine Overhauls

Last week Fincantieri Marine Systems North America (FMSNA) was awarded a $9.6 million contract to perform maintenance and repairs to the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of Inland Buoy Tenders.The multi-year contract was awarded by the Coast Guard’s Surface Force Logistics Center in Virginia. The focus of the contract is the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM) V1312 main diesel engines on board the 75-foot inland construction tender (WLIC) and 65-foot river buoy tender (WLR) class cutters.“This award with the U.S.

Photo: Royston

SCI in New Partnership with Enginei EFMS

Growing maritime sector use of electronic fuel management systems (EFMS) has prompted diesel power engineering specialist Royston to appoint a new US-based distributor for its advanced enginei technology.Standard Calibrations Inc. (SCI), a specialist measurement science company with extensive marine industry involvement, will now provide sales, installation and technical service support for the enginei EFMS across the USA.SCI, with a head office in Chesapeake, Virginia, has nearly 30 years’ experience in maritime instrumentation systems and applications…

Photo courtesy of Cummins

Odyssey III: Refurbish and Re-engine on the Potomac

There are many fine and elegant places to dine in Washington DC, but few offer the comfort and opulence to match the M/V Odyssey III. Her sleek, low profile superstructure designed to pass under the Potomac River bridges contains enough space to provide all the essentials of a grand evening. Cocktails, dinner, dancing and perhaps most importantly, the beauty and romance of watching the city lights from the deck of a boat on the serene river surface.At 240 by 63-feet the Odyssey…

Ron Huibers, President and CEO, Volvo Penta of the Americas.

Interview: Volvo Penta’s ‘Full Charge’ into Electric & Hybrid

Voices: Ron Huibers, President and CEO, Volvo Penta of the AmericasVolvo Penta has a reputation for pioneering innovations in marine propulsion. To learn more about what the company has on its drawing boards we talked with Ron Huibers, president and CEO of Volvo Penta of the Americas.Please give us a snapshot of your commercial marine business in North America?Our marine commercial business in the Americas has seen great growth, and it now represents a significant portion of our business, along with our leisure marine and industrial engine segments.

file Image: CREDIT AdobeStock / © tarasov

EPA Funds Diesel Pollution Abatement Efforts in Mid-Atlantic Region

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced funding for three clean diesel projects totaling $4.7 million to reduce air pollution from aging diesel engines in the Mid-Atlantic region.The funding will go to the Maryland Environmental Service (MES), the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association, (MARAMA) and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (WashCOG).“Taking steps to reduce emissions from older diesel engines rates among some of the most cost-effective measures we can take to improve the air we all breathe…