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CHOUEST SHIPYARD

FLOATS OUT VIKING MISSISSIPPI

VIKING CRUISES’ 386-GUEST VIKING MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRUISE vessel has been floated out today at Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, La.

Set to debut in June 2022, the Jones Act compliant Viking Mississippi will sail Viking’s much-anticipated voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul.

“It is a proud moment that this new ship has met an American waterway for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “Our guests have long wanted to sail the Mississippi River with Viking, and we very much look forward to welcoming them on board this summer. We are grateful to our American partner, Edison Chouest Offshore, who has helped bring to life our vision of exploring the Mississippi in the ‘Viking way.’”

Hosting 386 guests in 193 all outside staterooms, and offering multiple passenger amenities, the new state-of-the-art, fivedeck river cruise ship is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships and will feature elegant Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that will be familiar to Viking guests but reimagined for Mississippi River voyages.

The Viking Mississippi is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system comprised of eight CAT C32 EPA Tier 4 diesel engines, each powering a 940 eKw water cooled generator; each engine/generator unit is individually mounted on a specially designed double raft isolation system that produces a remarkably quiet and smooth ride.

Propulsion power is provided by Voith six-bladed propulsion thrusters driven by permanent magnet electric motors, as are the pump jet bow thrusters.

An advanced exhaust gas scrubbing system will significantly reduce sound and emissions.

Skagit County All-Electric Ferry Project Now Fully Financed

A PROJECT THAT WILL REPLACE A 40-YEAR-OLD DIESEL powered vessel with a new all-electric ferry has marked another milestone.

Washington State’s Skagit County reports that the state legislature has finalized its 2022 transportation appropriations package. Among other appropriations, the legislation provides $14 million for the allelectric Guemes Ferry Replacement project. This funding completes the financing for the project, according to the county.

“This project is vital to residents of Guemes Island and has been a long time coming,” said Commissioner Peter Browning, who currently serves as Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “We’re incredibly excited to begin project construction.”

The Guemes ferry replacement project will replace the current 40-year-old M/V Guemes with a new all-electric ferry, designed by Glosten. The ferry is expected to enter into full service by 2025.

The new vessel will be a doubleended vehicle and passenger ferry with a three-tiered deckhouse. The design accommodates four lanes of vehicles including highway-rated trucks and emergency vehicles.

“The M/V Guemes is nearing the end of its useful life and we need to replace it imminently,” said Commissioner Ron Wesen. “To have such considerable support from the entirety of our legislative delegation not only to replace the boat, but to replace it with an all-electric vessel is wonderful. We are truly blessed here in the Skagit.”

Commissioner Lisa Janicki said, “The M/V Guemes operates 365 days a year and with funding from the Climate Commitment Act, we’ll pull those large diesel motors out of the Salish Sea and provide reliable transportation to Guemes Island.”

Savannah Pilots Take Delivery of New Boat

THE SNOW & COMPANY SHIPYARD IN SEATTLE, WASH., has delivered the Savannah, the first of two new 64- by 19.5foot aluminum pilot boats to the Savannah Pilots Association.

Designed by Camarc Design of the U.K., the single chine, flush deck 5086 aluminum vessel is the third pilot boat that Camarc has designed for the Savannah pilots.

Savannah is powered by MTU 12V2000M86 marine engines, Hamilton HTX 52 waterjets with electronic AVX controls, ZF 3055 marine gears, and Geislinger Carbon Fiber driveshafts / Silenco couplings. This combination allows for excellent maneuverability with a top speed of about 35 knots.

One of America’s oldest pilot associations, the Savannah Pilots Association has guided vessels on the 25-plus mile journey from the sea entrance to the Port of Savannah, Ga., since 1864. They require vessels with excellent sea keeping ability and maneuverability even in the worst of sea conditions.

“Choosing Snow & Company as builder and using our previous proven design by Camarc was the right decision for us at the Savannah Pilots,” said Capt. Robert Thompson III, Pilot 23, master pilot and president, Savannah Pilots. “These two vessels will be our third and fourth built for us in Seattle all at the same facility which has consistently produced outstanding vessels.”

“Working with Snow & Company along with Camarc Design, MTU, Hamilton Jet and many other vendors has produced an outstanding vessel for us, looking forward to completing the second one,” said Capt. Nick Groover, Pilot 18, vice president and marine superintendent, Savannah Pilots.

“During our acceptance sea trials in Puget Sound, the vessel exceeded our expectations in speed, reduced noise levels and smoothness,” said Capt. Rich Galuk, chief engineer, Savannah Pilots. “Robust construction from Snow & Company’s skilled build team insures us a tough and durable vessel with a service life to exceed 20+ years.”

“For me, this boat is the beginning of a new type of work for our company, a niche we feel we fit into quite well,” said Brett Snow, owner of Snow & Company. “It is an honor to have been chosen by the pilots to build their new boats.”

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BIZ NOTES

TIDEWATER TO ACQUIRE SWIRE PACIFIC OFFSHORE

Houston-headquartered Tidewater Inc. is set to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Swire Pacific Offshore Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Swire Pacific Limited, for approximately $190 million. The move will create the world’s largest fleet of offshore service vessels. The Swire Pacific Offshore fleet of 50 vessels consists of 29 AHTS vessels and 21 PSVs. After the deal closes, Tidewater’s total fleet size will be 203 vessels, counting in crew boats, tug boats and maintenance vessels.

MAJOR P&I MERGER WILL CREATE NEW GLOBAL MARINE INSURER

Marine P&I (protection and indemnity) insurance mutuals have long been facing challenging market conditions that have led to predictions that further consolidation in the sector was likely. Last month, two well-known players—North P&I and Standard Club— said they had entered formal discussions for a proposed merger to create a new global marine insurer and one of the largest providers of mutual cover in the maritime industries. With 300 years of shared P&I heritage, the combined mutual insurer would provide cover for vessels equivalent to 400 million GT.

CARGOTEC TO SELL OFF MACGREGOR?

Antitrust agencies in the U.S. and U.K. have blocked a merger of Cargotec and Konecranes on the grounds that it would eliminate important competition in four types of shipping container-handling equipment used by ports. Now Cargotec says it will refocus its strategy and will initiate an evaluation of options of its MacGregor subsidiary, including a potential sale of the business.

TT BARGE SELLS TWO BARGE SERVICE FACILITIES TO JAMES MARINE

The James Marine group of companies has purchased TT Barge Cleaning Mile 183 LLC and TT Barge Services Mile 237 LLC from TT Barge Service, Donaldsonville, La. “TT 183 and TT 237 are in good hands with James Marine,” says Jeff James, president of James Marine Inc. “This addition enhances our ability to extend James Marine’s vessel services to include tank barge cleaning and gas-freeing for all of our customers,” he added.

CATERPILLAR MARINE TO EXPAND ELECTRIC AND HYBRID OFFERINGS

Drawing on expertise from across the Caterpillar Inc. enterprise, Caterpillar Marine plans to expand its hybrid and electric offerings, selectively incorporating technology from machine and off-highway products. Cat Marine says this will expand its capabilities to deliver advanced power systems that will help minimize customers’ fuel usage, environmental impact and total cost of ownership while maximizing reliability and productivity. Caterpillar Marine dealers worldwide will be given the training and resources needed to provide full product support for Caterpillar’s next generation of hybrid and electric propulsion and power system solutions.

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