Power from the sea Alderney tidal array

NEWS

New developments in the Shipbuilding industry

STX France launches production facilities dedicated to marine renewables

STX France has secured the financing required to launch the 1st batch of production units due to enter in service in 2015. Considering the company order book on its ship markets for five years ahead, and the related intense activity of its shipbuilding workshops, it has been decided to create new production facilities especially dedicated to renewables and offshore wind activities.

“The investment is a decisive step to develop the company’s activity on new markets. It demonstrates STX France’s ambition to become a reference industrial player in the marine renewables industry and confidence in the long-term development of this market in Europe. Developing engineering and manufacturing activities together is one of the key factors of our success,” declared Laurent Castaing, STX France managing director. Visit: www.stxfrance.com

Two more Ulstein design PSVs for Vroon

COSCO (Guang Dong) Shipyard Co. Ltd is going to build a further two platform supply vessels of the ULSTEIN PX121 design for Vroon Offshore Services, the Netherlands. Ulstein has entered into an agreement with COSCO on delivering ship design, power & control equipment and on-site follow-up services.The first of six vessels in this series, VOS Pace, was launched on 30 June.

“The PX121 design is becoming increasingly attractive to oil companies as it offers a competitive combination of fuel-efficiency and cargo capacities/deadweight,” comments Sigurd Viseth, managing director of Ulstein Design & Solutions. “This translates to a performance level that is usually expected from larger PSVs, but at a medium-sized PSV cost – delivering excellent value-for-money for the owner and operator. We’re delighted that Vroon sees the compelling benefits of this vessel.” Visit: www.ulstein.com

BAE Systems wins contract for Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels

BAE Systems has been awarded a £348 million contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to construct three new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the UK Royal Navy. The new 90-metre vessels will be built at the BAE Systems facilities in Glasgow and will provide additional capability for the Royal Navy. Based on a proven design, the ships will be used to support counterterrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the waters around the UK and will protect other UK interests abroad.

Mick Ord, managing director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “This is a significant contract award which marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for the UK shipbuilding sector. We’re making major investments in our people, technology and facilities to create a world-class complex warship capability and the OPVs provide an opportunity to embed these new ways of working. This will ensure we remain competitive and are best placed to secure the Type 26 manufacturing contract, which together with the investments will sustain the long-term future of this highly skilled industry.” Visit: www.baesystems.com

DCNS completes the integration of the new optronics systems for French frigates

DCNS has completed the integration of the SYMFIR multifunction infrared systems upgrading the optronics of the French Navy surveillance frigates Ventôse and Germinal based at Martinique and Nivôse and Floréal based at Réunion Island.

The purpose of the programme, contracted to DCNS in 2011 by the DGA (French defence procurement agency), is to replace the NAJIR fire control systems of the 100mm main guns of the Floréal-class frigates with SAGEM EOMS-NG optronic fire control systems.

Providing self-defence capability against symmetrical or asymmetrical air and surface threats, the EOMS NG multifunction optronics system brings together surveillance, long-range panoramic infrared tracking and electro-optical fire control functions in a single equipment unit. Visit: www.dcnsgroup.com

Babcock commences design work for Type 26 AWHS

Babcock has begun work on the first phase of the contract to design and supply the Air Weapons Handling System (AWHS) for the UK’s new Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS) announced recently by BAE Systems.

Under the full contract Babcock will design, manufacture, test and oversee the installation of the AWHS system on the 13 ships planned in the UK Type 26 GCS programme, as well as providing long-term support functions to ensure through life system performance and availability.

The AWHS will have the capability to handle and stow all air weapons safely in a flexible stowage arrangement. The system is modular with interchangeable stowages between weapon types for maximum stowage density and flexibility. The AWHS includes a handling system to facilitate the positive control and transfer of munitions from their stowages to designated weapon preparation areas prior to their transfer onto aircraft or into torpedo launch systems, where fitted. Visit: www.babcockinternational.com

INDUSTRYNEWS

CEONA AMAZON hull handed over in Gdynia

IN July last year the first steel was cut in the shipbuilding hall at CRIST Shipyard in Gdynia for a big, multi-functional, ocean-going pipe-layer for London-based shipping company CEONA. Just one month later, in August 2013, the ship’s keel was laid and on 25 April 2014 the job was finished. At a small official ceremony, CEONA Shipping Company COO Stuart Cameron activated the control lever in the CRIST building dock, opening the flood-gates and filling the dock basin. Ten hours later CEONA AMAZON was afloat for the first time.

The Bugsier tug BUGSIER X took over the vessel on 30 April for the journey to Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven which undertook the completion and outfitting of the ship prior to taking the CEONA AMAZON into operation.

CEONA AMAZON’s design is based on that of a drill ship and meets all the demands of a special purpose vessel with DP2 dynamic positioning capability. She will be particularly suitable for operation in remote and challenging regions and will be able to lay flexible as well as rigid pipes and supply lines. Visit: www.crist.com.pl

VARD secures contract for Platform Supply Vessel

VARD has secured a contract for the design and construction of one Platform Supply Vessel for E.R. Offshore.

The vessel is a multifunctional PSV of VARD 1 08 design with a total length of 81 metres, beam of 18 metres and a cargo deck area of 830m2. The vessel will be prepared for standby, rescue, firefighting and oil recovery operations. Delivery is scheduled from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam in 2Q 2016.

E.R. Offshore has also taken over the contract for a sister vessel from Carlotta Offshore via a novation agreement. This vessel is currently under construction at Vard Vung Tau with an expected delivery in 3Q 2015. The VARD 1-SERIES comprises a wide range of Platform Supply Vessels designed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway. Visit: www.vard.com

MEYER WERFT joins forces with STX Finland

The Finnish Government and MEYER WERFT have signed a share purchase agreement with the current owner of the Turku shipyard STX Europe. With its 70% stake MEYER WERFT takes the industrial leadership of the new company.

At present some 1300 employees and a specialised supplier network are involved in the construction of the cruise ship Mein Schiff 4 for the German cruise operator TUI Cruises from Hamburg. TUI Cruises has just announed the order of another two ships of this class in Turku. STX Finland is a specialist in the construction of cruise ships and is a yard that holds exceptional technological know-how.

As Dr Jan Meyer, managing partner of MEYER WERFT, explained, “This acquisition will strengthen the yards in Papenburg, Turku and Rostock: By joining forces with Turku we can offer more flexibility to our customers. In addition, both shipyards respect each other for their high level of professionalism and thus can learn a lot from each other in order to improve their working processes or to join forces on research & development. Visit: www.meyerwerft.de

VSTEP delivers FMB simulator to Danaos Corporation

Danaos Corporation has purchased a NAUTIS DNV Class A FMB Simulator and Instructor Station for training of its fleet members.The simulator will be delivered and installed by VSTEP at Danaos Shipping Co Ltd headquarters in Piraeus, Greece.

The simulator purchased by Danaos Corporation included a NAUTIS DNV Class A FMB simulator with 240° horizontal field of view and an Instructor Station. It will be used to train navigation and maneuvering with the container vessels of the Danaos fleet. For this purpose, new container vessels were developed and added to the simulator in addition to the existing container vessels in the simulator ship library.

Joost van Ree, VSTEP sales director: “We are glad that one of the largest containership owners in the world has joined the VSTEP simulator family. Our FMB simulator allows Danaos personnel to train effectively using the cutting edge of maritime simulation in line with the high performance standard the shipping company is known for. Visit: www.vstepsimulation.com

Bergen Group Services awarded new service and maintenance projects

Bergen Group Services AS has been awarded new maritime maintenance and service projects for a total estimated value of NOK 50–60 million over the next two years. The projects are related to both new contracts and deliveries within existing framework agreements.

Bergen Group Services has over the years built up an extensive capacity and expertise in ship maintenance and repair of vessels used for demanding maritime operations which requires an extra high reliability and service quality. During the last six months, the company has signed different comprehensive long-term service agreements with both the Navy and the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue. The company’s order backlog at the end of the 1st quarter of 2014 was more than NOK 150 million, which represents a threefold increase since New Year. The company expects further growth in activity in the coming years. Visit: www.bergengroup.no