UPDATES

The eWolf will operate at the Port of San Diego.

Crowley Orders America’s First All-Electric Harbor Tug

“THE eWOLF REPRESENTS everything Crowley stands for: innovation, sustainability and performance,” said Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley, as Crowley Maritime announced that it is to build and operate what will be the first fully electric harbor tugboat in the U.S.— and only the third of its kind to enter operations worldwide.

The 82-foot eWolf, with 70 tons of bollard pull, will operate at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and will be operational by mid-2023.

The tug will be built at the Master Boat Builders shipyard in Coden, Ala., with the design and on-site construction management being provided by Crowley Engineering Services and its recently integrated Jensen Maritime naval architecture and marine engineering group.

The tug’s battery system will be charged at a specially designed, shoreside station developed with Cochran Marine.

The eWolf will feature an integrated electric propulsion system and advanced vessel control technology package from ABB.

“We chose ABB on this project because future-proof ships will be built on the foundation of an electrical backbone, integrated with control systems that provide more efficient and safer operations,” said Ray Martus, vice president, Crowley Engineering Services. “ABB has deep expertise and recent, relevant experience related to battery systems on vessels and the corresponding regulatory framework with U.S. Coast Guard. The ABB solution provides intelligent maneuvering and control systems that enable safer, more efficient ship operations, and reduce the workload on masters and the crew to focus holistically on the overall control and positioning of the vessel.”

“As many sectors of the marine industry are searching for new technology they have to recognize that the foundation of the marine world is changing,” said David Lee, senior account manager-commercial vessels, ABB Marine & Ports. “The eWolf tug is the start of this transition for the workboat industry where the emissions will be greatly reduced through energy storage, the operation will be connected through ABB’s Remote Diagnostic Services, and safer for the crew through utilization of ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision and Control.”

ABB Electric Propulsion System

Under a contract with Master Boat Builders, ABB is supplying the end-to-end electric propulsion system. The solution will include a six-megawatt-hour energy storage system (ESS), allowing the eWolf to achieve 70 short tons of bollard pull emissions-free. The battery allows the tug to complete a full day of typical work before there is a need to charge.

Achieving lower operational costs on a through-life basis than an equivalent vessel running a conventional engine, the all-electric propulsion solution holds the potential to eliminate the equivalent of over 100 cars worth of CO2 pollution every year, according to ABB.

Systems on board will also feature products from the ABB Ability Marine Pilot family for enhancing crew safety and reducing workload. ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision situational awareness solution will provide 360-degree visibility from the pilot’s station, and ABB Ability Marine Control will enable maneuvering support and future remote operations.

In addition to systems integration, engineering and automation on the newbuilding, ABB will supply its Onboard DC Grid power distribution system platform for optimized energy use. Onboard DC Grid enables seamless integration of battery for zero-emissions operations by using renewables as an energy source. The full scope of supply also includes propulsion motors, low-voltage switchboards, transformers, li-ion batteries mechanical L-drive thrusters and the ABB Ability Remote Diagnostics System for Marine for continuous equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Metal Shark Delivers First Fireboat in New Series

JEANERETTE, LA., headquartered shipbuilder Metal Shark has introduced the 38 Defiant NXT, a next-generation welded-aluminum monohull pilothouse model based on the company’s popular 38 Defiant platform. The first new vessel, Fire Boat 2, has been delivered to Orange Beach Fire Rescue in Alabama.

Since 2011, well over 100 legacy model 38 Defiant vessels have been delivered in a wide range of configurations. The new 38 Defiant NXT utilizes the same proven hullform but with an entirely new topsides arrangement. As with the previous generation model, in addition to fireboats, the 38 Defiant NXT is also offered in configurations optimized for law enforcement or military use and can be equipped with autonomous capability through Metal Shark’s Sharktech Autonomous Vessels division.

“Redesigning one of our best-selling models at the peak of its popularity was not a task we approached lightly, but through our efforts we made significant improvements to an already outstanding platform,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “Orange Beach Fire Rescue’s new 38 Defiant NXT fireboat and the multiple other fireboats now in production are a direct result of our goal to consistently offer the industry’s most advanced designs through ongoing product evolution.”

The 38 Defiant NXT boasts an innovative new pilothouse design. The use of Metal Shark’s signature “Pillarless Glass” significantly reduces blind spots, while a reverse-raked windshield with prominent brow shade reduces heat load and glare. An overhead skylight array offers unobstructed upwards views. Large, quickly-sliding side windows and an extra-wide cabin door facilitate communication to crew members in the cockpit and allow quick and easy ingress and egress by firefighters wearing full gear.

A “no-nonsense” deck layout allows firefighters to perform their work more safely and efficiently. Wide-open workspaces facilitate safe and surefooted movement from bow to stern, even while wearing heavy firefighting gear. Wide, non-skid-walkways feature low-level LED lighting for night missions, while all rails and grab handles are ruggedly constructed and placed within easy reach. A WING urethanesheathed, closed-cell foam collar provides impact resistance during alongside maneuvers, a robust bow-pusher knee provides added utility, and a large dive platform and aft cockpit scuba tank racks have been added for divers.

The 38 Defiant NXT is available with a wide range of propulsion types and can reach top speeds of 50+ knots when powered by triple outboards.

The Navy’s Guided Missile Frigate is the latest warship in Fincantieri’s rich history of proudly delivering rugged and reliable ships to the United States Navy and Coast Guard since the early days of World War II.

5,429,000 sq ft

shipyard space

1,000,000 sq ft

climate controlled facilities

9,769 linear feet

pier space

LARGEST SHIPLIFT IN AMERICA

> 10,000 MT CAPACITY & SHIPS UP TO 560 FT

1,150 x 140 feet

Graving Dock

430 x 120 feet

4,540 long-ton capacity drydock

220 by 120 feet

1,270 long-ton capacity drydock

U.S. Navy-Certified

Floating Drydock

We are currently seeking teammates.

SCAN FOR CAREER

OPPORTUNITIES

The 38 Defiant NXT fincantierimarinegroup.com

Our competence www.vulkan.com covers the whole fleet.

American VULKAN Corporation

2525 Dundee Road | Winter Haven | FL – 33884 Phone +1 863 324 2424 | info@vulkanusa.com

BIZ NOTES

SEAWAYS AND DIAMONDS COMPLETE MERGER

New York City headquartered International Seaways Inc., already one of the world’s largest tanker operators, is now even larger. Last month, it completed of its previously announced merger with Diamond S Shipping Inc. The combined company will continue to operate as International Seaways and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol INSW. It says it expects to achieve cost synergies in excess of $23 million and revenue synergies of $9 million, fully realizable before the end 2022. Following the completion of the merger, International Seaways is now the second largest U.S.-listed tanker company by vessel count with over 100 vessels and the third largest by deadweight, aggregating approximately 11.3 million dwt. Seaways says the merger enhances its capabilities in both the crude and product markets and creates “power alleys” for it in the large crude—VLCC and Suezmax—and LR1/Panamax and MR markets.

SALTCHUK HOLDINGS MAKES OFFER FOR OSG

Jones Act tanker and ATB operator Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. (OSG) is evaluating a non-binding indication of interest from privately held Saltchuk Holdings to acquire all of its issued and outstanding shares for a price of $3.00 per share (a premium of 43% to the closing price per share of $2.10 as of June 29, 2021). At the time of the offer Saltchuk already owned 17.5% of OSG’s shares. In a letter to OSG, signed by its chairman, Mark Tabbut, Saltchuck said, “By its nature, shipping has multi-decade investment cycles and shorter-term economic cycles, both of which are better supported by a privately held family business versus being traded in the public markets. Saltchuk has the benefit of having significant experience and great confidence in the future of the Jones Act and the benefits it serves our country. In fact, over the last 20 years, Saltchuk has invested well over a billion dollars in new Jones Act vessels.” Saltchuk Group’s maritime operations notably include TOTE, which includes TOTE Maritime and TOTE Services, and Foss Maritime.

MCALLISTER TO MANAGE LNG BUNKERING ATB

McAllister Towing LNG Services LLC is to be technical manager for the Polaris New Energy LNG bunkering operation in Florida. It will operate the articulated tug barge (ATB) Polaris/Clean Canaveral for Polaris New Energy. The Polaris is a 4,000-horsepower tug fitted with a JAK-400 coupling system that is being built at Master Boat Builders, Inc. It will be paired with the 5,500-cubicmeter LNG bunkering barge Clean Canaveral, which is being built at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. Polaris New

Energy has constructed the ATB for coastwise transportation of LNG and to deliver LNG as a clean maritime transportation fuel.