Maritime Vessels Directory

Salvage crews have once again paused operations to remove the Golden Ray wreck outside Georgia's Port of Brunswick, this time for "routine maintenance" on the equipment being used to cut and separate sections of the hulking overturned car carrier. Considered one of the most complex wreck removals in U.S. history, the project has been plagued by a number of setbacks since salvage operations commenced in 2019. Teams have already encountered delays relating to difficult environmental conditions, a COVID-19 outbreak among crew, mooring system adjustments for the specialized heavy lift crane vessel VB 10,000, a broken cutting chain and a fire inside the wreck.

Panama Canal Extends Max Length, Increases Draft for Neopanamax Locks

14 hours ago

The Panama Canal has increased the maximum allowable length for vessels transiting the Neopanamax Locks. Since May 21, the maximum length overall (LOA) for commercial and noncommercial vessels acceptable for regular transits of the Neopanamax Locks is 370.33 meters (1,215 feet), up from 367.28 meters (1,205 feet).The increase, which comes nearly five years after the canal's expansion, means that now 96.8% of the world’s fleet of containerships can transit the Panama Canal. “This change was made possible by our team’s experience operating the Neopanamax Locks safely and reliably over the past five years,” said Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales.

U.S. Judge Orders Resumption in Federal Drilling Auctions

2 hours ago

A federal judge in Louisiana on Tuesday blocked the Biden administration's pause on oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters, dealing a setback to a key White House effort to address climate change.The order granted a preliminary injunction to Louisiana and 12 other states that sued Democratic President Joe Biden and the Interior Department over the freeze on new drilling auctions. Louisiana is a major hub for offshore oil and gas production.Biden paused the government's leasing auctions in January pending a review that is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. The move was part of a sweeping plan to rein in fossil-fuel extraction and combat the effects of climate change.

Fairbanks Morse Delivers Engines for USNS Earl Warren

16 hours ago

Fairbanks Morse Engine (FME), a division of Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), shipped two main propulsion diesel engines for the USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207) on June 13, 2021. These are the fifth and sixth engines Fairbanks Morse Engine has made for the T-AO program. The USNS Earl Warren is a fleet replenishment oiler for the U.S. Navy.The engines are traveling from Beloit, Wis. to FME’s customer National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in San Diego via railroad. Upon arrival, they will be installed in the hull of the ship.The engines feature common rail (CR) technology, which provides an advanced control system to deliver precise amounts of fuel throughout all engine operations.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Names Gokhale Technical Solutions VP

16 hours ago

America’s largest military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that Ashutosh Gokhale has been appointed vice president, business management and chief financial officer for its Technical Solutions division.Gokhale will replace Billy Jahn upon his retirement on July 9 and will be responsible for all financial management and business management functions in Technical Solutions. Gokhale will be located at HII’s offices in Fairfax, Va., and will report to Andy Green, HII executive vice president and president of Technical Solutions.“Ashutosh has extensive business experience and a strong background in finance and M&A,” Green said.

Maritime Reporter and Engineering News (June 2021)

USCG Fleet Modernization Annual