|
4 Navy Live by U.S. Navy / 2h // keep unread // trash // preview
On Saturday, November 9, 2013, Newport News Shipbuilding will christen the nation’s newest aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during a ceremony on-site where the ship is being constructed. President Gerald R. Ford was the 38th President of the United States. His daughter, Susan Ford Bales, will serve as the ship’s sponsor, performing the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow during the ceremony.  Susan Ford Bales, ship’s sponsor for the Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), observes the flooding of Dry Dock 12 at Newport News Shipbuilding, during floating operations for the first in class aircraft carrier.
Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first of a new class of aircraft carriers, the first new design since USS Nimitz, which was launched in 1972. Redesigned from keel to mast, the ship will be able to launch aircraft more quickly while costing less to maintain, saving the Navy a projected $4 billion over the ship’s 50-year life span.
The Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) christening will be webcast live here on Navy Live on Nov. 9 at 11 a.m EST. After a series of sea trials and tests, a commissioning ceremony is planned for 2016. |
Matson, Aker Ink Shipbuilding Deal
marinelink.com
Wednesday, November 06, 2013, 4:31 PM
Artist’s Depiction of 3,600 TEU containerships
Matson Signs Contract With Aker Philadelphia Shipyard For Two New “Aloha Class” Containerships, First Ship To Be Named The Daniel K. Inouye.
Matson, Inc., a U.S. carrier in the Pacific, announced today that its subsidiary, Matson Navigation Company, Inc., has signed a contract with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) to build two new 3,600 TEU containerships for an aggregate price of $418 million. The new vessels will be equipped with dual fuel engines that have liquefied natural gas (LNG) capability and are expected to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of 2018. Matson also announced that the first of the two new ships will be named after the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who was a longstanding supporter of the U.S. maritime industry and its role in supporting Hawaii’s economy.
“We are pleased to introduce the Aloha Class containership, built specifically to meet Hawaii’s future freight demands with increased cargo capacity,” said Matt Cox, president and CEO, Matson. “The new ships are designed to accommodate the diversified mix of cargo needed to support the state’s economy and will boost our capacity for moving 45-foot containers and refrigerated cargo. The ships will also carry construction materials more effectively. Most importantly, this considerable investment underscores Matson’s long-term commitment to providing Hawaii with a strong, reliable lifeline to and from the U.S. Mainland.”
“The decision to name the first Aloha Class ship in honor of Senator Inouye was a natural one,” Cox continued. “He left an unparalleled legacy in Hawaii history, and was a true champion of the U.S. Merchant Marine. He is recognized throughout the maritime industry as one of its most powerful advocates. Having a modern, U.S.-flag containership dedicated to serving Hawaii bear his name is an appropriate tribute to this great man.” The 850-foot long vessels will be the largest Jones Act containerships ever constructed and are designed to operate at speeds in excess of 23 knots, ensuring timely delivery of goods in Hawaii. Importantly, the ships will also be able to navigate safely into some of Hawaii’s smaller ports.
The new vessels will incorporate a number of “green ship technology” features such as a fuel efficient hull design, dual fuel engines, environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks and fresh water ballast systems. “These state-of-the-art advancements are important to Hawaii as a means to reduce fuel consumption, resulting in significant emission reductions over time in our home trade,” Cox said.
Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. The shipyard delivered four newly-built Jones Act containerships for Matson between 2003 and 2006.
“We have a proven track record of building containerships and are greatly looking forward to being partnered with Matson again,” said Aker Philadelphia Shipyard President and CEO Kristian Rokke. “The winning of this order provides the shipyard significant backlog and valuable visibility out to 2018.”
Share this:
Italy to Impose Venice Cruise Ship Restrictions
MarineLink.com
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Venice Cruise Ship: Photo courtesy of ‘No Big Ships Committee’
The Italian government has announced it will begin to limit the number of large cruise ships that pass through Venice. Environmentalists have protested against the ships in recent years, saying they damage the city’s fragile lagoon, reports BBC News.
From January 2014, the number of cruise ships allowed through Venice will be cut by 20%. Ships of more than 96,000 tonnes will be banned from the centre of the city from November next year.
Concerns over big ships sailing too close to shorelines have increased since the Costa Concordia cruise liner ran aground off a Tuscan island in January 2012 and environmentalists also feel that the ships are grotesquely out of keeping with the beautiful old city.
Source: BBC News
Share this:
India, US Navy Begin Malabar 2013
|
Naval Today >> The industry’s seaborne news provider by Naval Today / 3h // keep unread // trash // preview
Naval forces from India and the United States will participate in exercise Malabar 2013, Nov. 5 – 11.Malabar is a regularly scheduled bilateral naval field training exercise and has grown in scope and complexity over the years. Malabar 2013 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. The exercise will feature both ashore and at-sea training. While ashore in Chennai, India, training will include subject matter expert and professional exchanges on maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations and anti-submarine warfare operations. The at-sea portions will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal. They are designed to advance coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multinational environment. Events planned during the at-sea portions include liaison officer professional exchanges and embarks; gunnery exercises; visit, board, search and seizure; Surface Action Group operations; helicopter evolutions; underway replenishments. The Indian navy and U.S. 7th Fleet have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea. This exercise helps to advance the level of understanding between our Sailors and we hope to be able to continue this process over time. Participants from the U.S. Navy include guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85), Destroyer Squadron 15 and embarked “Warlords” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51. The United States and India share common values and seafaring traditions. The two navies are natural partners, and look forward to continuing to strengthen bonds and personal relationships. For a list of participating Indian forces, please contact the Indian navy headquarters. |
Share this:
Keel Laid for USNS Lewis B. Puller
|
2 Naval Today >> The industry’s seaborne news provider by Naval Today / 3h // keep unread // trash // preview
General Dynamics NASSCO yesterday hosted a keel laying ceremony for the USNS Lewis B. Puller, the third ship in the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) class. The ship is named in honor of Lewis B. Puller, the most decorated U.S. Marine in history and the only one to be awarded five Navy Crosses. Mrs. Elizabeth Glueck was the honoree for the keel-laying ceremony.She is the wife of Lieutenant General Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration; commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; and commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command. Mrs. Glueck validated the ship’s keel by welding her initials onto a steel plate which will be permanently affixed to the ship, remaining with the vessel throughout its time in service. MLP-3 is the first ship of the class to be configured as an Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB). Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2015.
The MLP AFSB is a flexible platform and a key element in the Navy’s large-scale airborne mine countermeasure mission. The ship is designed to facilitate a wide variety of future mission sets in support of special operations. With accommodations for 250 personnel and a huge helicopter flight deck, the MLP AFSB will provide a highly capable and affordable asset to the Navy and Marine Corps. |
