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FOSS BARGES

TO BECOME SMART FEEDER BARGES FOR VINEYARD WIND

DEME OFFSHORE US has entered into a long-term agreement with Netherlandsbased motion compensation specialist Barge Master to develop technology that will be deployed in a pioneering feeder concept on the Vineyard Wind 1 project – the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S. DEME Offshore US has the transport and installation contract for the 62 GE Haliade offshore wind turbines for the Vineyard Wind 1 project. In addition to the installation of the turbines, DEME Offshore will also handle the transportation and installation of the monopile foundations, transition pieces, offshore substation and scour protection for the wind turbine foundations, as well as the offshore substation foundation and platform. It is partnering with Foss Maritime to develop a Jones Act-compliant smart feeder barge concept for the project.

Under the new agreement with Barge Master, four motion compensation platforms will be installed on Foss Maritime barges. The integrated, high-tech solution will enable the wind turbine components to be transported from U.S. ports to DEME’s specialized offshore installation vessels.

The Barge Master concept is based on using patented technology, with control systems and cylinders supporting a platform and actively compensating the motions of the barge. The wind turbine components are fastened to the motion compensated platform.

When arriving alongside the installation

Philly Shipyard books contract for fifth NSMV

PHILLY SHIPYARD, INC. reports that, following MARAD authorization, it has booked an order from TOTE Services, LLC (TOTE Services) for the construction of one additional National Security MultiMission Vessel (NSMV) – marking the fifth and final NSMV in the training ship series. This fifth vessel will replace the aging training vessel at California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California.

Construction of the new vessel (NSMV 5) is expected to commence in 2023. The contractual delivery date is set in 2026.

The order was placed under an April 2020 contract that provides for the construction of up to five NSMVs. The initial award included the first two vessels in the program (NSMVs 1 and 2). The next two vessels in the NSMV program (NSMVs 3 and 4) were ordered in January 2021.

Philly Shipyard’s order backlog also includes a contract from Great Lakes vessel, the Barge Master technology ensures safe lifting operations – even for these giant components – and increases workability.

“This fully Jones Act-compliant solution, based on using U.S.-flagged and U.S.owned tugs and barges, again demonstrates our commitment to build and support the U.S. offshore wind industry and to create jobs for (unionized) American mariners,” said DEME Offshore US president Sidney Florey. “Uniquely, this technology turns existing barges into a high-tech, smart feeder concept, resulting in a competitive advantage for DEME Offshore and its partners. This solution also leads to sharp pricing and guaranteed availability for the offshore wind developers, our clients.”

Dredge & Dock Company, LLC to construct a Jones Act-compliant subsea rock installation vessel (SRIV), with a contract value of approximately $200 million. The rock installer will be constructed in between NSMVs 4 and 5

The award for NSMV 5 is valued at approximately $300 million, bringing the total order intake under the contract for the five-ship program to be approximately $1.5 billion.

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Keppel O&M and Sembcorp Marine merger agreed

A SINGAPORE MEGA MERGER that has been in the works seems finally set to happen. Keppel Corporation Limited and Sembcorp Marine Ltd entered into definitive agreements for the proposed combination of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd and Sembcorp Marine.

The legacy rigs and receivables that Keppel O&M has gotten stuck with won’t be part of the deal. They will be sold to a separate asset company that will be 90%-owned by other investors, with Keppel Corporation holding a 10% stake.

The merger comes against the backdrop of the prolonged and severe downturn of the offshore and marine (O&M) sector since 2015. That sector has seen competition for a shrinking pool of projects intensify, contributing to an increased level of debt across the industry.

Though the parties to the agreement note that “oil prices have rallied in recent months, and conditions in the O&M sector are improving,” they say that the long-term outlook for the O&M sector is shifting.

“Growing commitments by governments and companies around the world seeking to achieve net zero carbon emissions are driving increasing demand for renewable and clean energy solutions,” they say. “These include areas such as offshore wind, hydrogen and ammonia, in which both Keppel O&M and Sembcorp Marine have built their respective capabilities and track records in the past few years.”

The combination is aimed at creating of a premier global player for the renewable, new energy and cleaner O&M solutions markets.

Singapore government-owned investment company Temasek Holdings, which is the controlling shareholder of both Keppel and Sembcorp Marine, will be the largest shareholder in the new enterprise with a 33.5% stake. The combined entity will adopt a new name and brand identity to reflect its focus on offshore renewables, new energy and cleaner solutions in the O&M sector.

J.F. Brennan acquires Harbor Offshore

LA CROSSE, WIS., based specialty construction firm J.F. Brennan Company has acquired California-based Harbor Offshore, Inc (HOI).

HOI specializes in commercial diving, marine construction, maritime security barriers, and submarine cable installation. Brennan says that as well as bringing it submarine cabling and maritime security barrier expertise, the acquisition expands Brennan operations geographically. With the addition of licensing along the West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska, Brennan is now operable in all 50 states.

“This acquisition opens new geographies, positioning us to better deliver our brand of work to clients and partners. It also adds new skill sets to our team, preparing us to take on and deliver high-demand work for the decades ahead,” says Brennan President and CEO Matt Binsfeld. “The addition of HOI builds on the incredible team and talents of everyone here at Brennan—bringing in like-minded professionals who equally value safe work that’s executed in a high-quality manner.”

Brownsville yard recycles first EU-flagged ship

AFTER BEING ACCEPTED FOR PROCESSING in January this year, a 158-meter chemical tanker, the MT Wolverine, has become the first EU-flagged ship to be recycled in the U.S. in accordance with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.

The project follows a $30 million investment in new equipment and processes at the Brownsville, Texas, yard of International Shipbreaking Ltd (ISL), part of international recycling specialist EMR Group. The investment enabled the yard to meet the rigorous requirements of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SSR).

Prior to being decommissioned, the Wolverine was sailing under the Norwegian flag.

The ship was built by the Aker Tulcea shipyard in Romania in 2006. An Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) was

Valmet opens Miami office

ESPOO, FINLAND, HEADQUARTERED VALMET, whose best known services include marine automation, has opened a new office in Miami, Fla., to strengthen its local presence and improve its services to the global marine industry, including cruise ship operators.

“Out of the many Valmet offices in the U.S.A., this new one is solely dedicated to serving our marine customers,” says John Weierud, director, marine automation at Valmet. “Miami is an ideal location for the office as it is home to the world’s largest cruising companies, and many of their ships are equipped with Valmet’s advanced automation solutions. Our marine customers now have better access to our automation experts’ know-how as well as our cybersecurity, turbine automation and emission control solutions,” says John Weierud, director, Marine Automation, Valmet.

Valmet marine services are available for the company’s marine emission control and automation products. They are designed to improve vessel operation, including optimized performance and operation costs, safety, reduced emissions or high availability and reliability.

Today, with cybersecurity playing an increasingly important role in the marine industry, Valmet provides cruise ships with a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services. These include regular Valmet DNA automation system security audits, continuous security updates, patch management and training for personnel. EU SRR with all waste materials removed from the vessel disposed of in accordance with the EU SRR requirements.

According to Chris Green, senior manager at ISL, the Brownsville yard has the capacity to safely moor and recycle ships over 1,200 feet (366 meters) in length and 158 feet (48 meters) wide.

completed by the ship’s owner, which International Shipbreaking Limited reviewed before developing the MT Wolverine Ship Recycling Plan.

Using innovative and sustainable recycling processes, ISL was able to recycle 97% of the materials removed from the ship.

The project is fully compliant with the