Contracts: Multiple, $6B

Nine companies have each been awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity fixed-price option-year two modifications for international ocean and intermodal distribution services (Universal Services Contract-7). They are: Maersk Line Ltd., Norfolk, Va., estimated $524,715,094, (P00211 to HTC711-12-D-W013); American President Lines Ltd., Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz., estimated $445,421,902 (P00120 to HTC711-12-D-W003); Farrell Lines Inc., Norfolk, Va., estimated $141,326,919 (P00029 to HTC711-12-D-W008); American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier LLC, Park Ridge, N.J., estimated $138,236,665 (P00107 to HTC711-12D-W004); Liberty Global Logistics LLC, Lake Success, N.Y., estimated $90,428,969 (P00075 to HTC711-12-D-W012); Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC, Tampa, Fla., estimated $84,616,444 (P00065 to HTC711-12-D-W011); Central Gulf Lines Inc., Mobile, Ala., estimated $35,555,037 (P00046 to HTC711-12-D-W005); Foss International Inc., Seattle, Wash., estimated $12,512,210 (P00025 to HTC711-12-D-W009); Matson Navigation Company Inc., Oakland, Calif., estimated $9,645,286 (P00034 to HTC711-12-D-W014). The modifications bring the total cumulative face value of the program to $5,932,834,105. Work will be performed worldwide as specified on each individual order, with an expected completion date of Aug. 31, 2015. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 and 2015 transportation working capital funds to be obligated on individual task orders. U.S. Transportation Command, Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/28/14)

Contract: Textron, $21.9M

Textron Inc., New Orleans, La., is being awarded a $21,904,620 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-2401) for the construction of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 101 of the ship-to-shore connector (SSC) program. The SSC program is the functional replacement for the existing fleet of LCAC vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. It is an air cushion vehicle designed for a 30-year service life. The SSC mission is to land surface assault elements in support of operational maneuver from the sea, at over-the-horizon distances, while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms. SSC provides increased performance to handle current and future missions, as well as improvements which will increase craft availability and reduce total ownership cost. Work will be performed in New Orleans (93.5 percent); Huntington Beach, Calif. (2 percent); Chanhassen, Minn. (2 percent); Coronado, Calif. (1.5 percent); and Minneapolis, Minn. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation contract funds in the amount of $2,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 08/27/14)

Hamilton wraps up sea trials

PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced Monday the completion of acceptance sea trials for the company's fourth U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter, Hamilton (WMSL 753). The ship was underway for a two-day period in the Gulf of Mexico, performing numerous tests and demonstrations of shipboard systems for the Board of Inspection and Survey. Tests involved propulsion, anchor handling, steering and combat systems. The testing culminated in the successful completion of a full-power propulsion run. (Source: Ingalls Shipbuilding, 08/18/14)

Ports benefit from canal delays

After weeks of delays due to a construction dispute, the Panama Canal’s $5.2 billion expansion is expected to be operational by January 2016 – six months late. What impact will the canal’s expansion have on break-bulk shippers and will delays strengthen the hand of Gulf Coast ports? In a recent impact report on breakbulk and containerized traffic, researcher Anthony Ross at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, concludes export growth in seven Eastern states (including Georgia and South Carolina). Since that report, Ross has suggested looking westward, along Gulf Coast bulkbreak ports like Houston and Gulfport, Miss., for higher volumes of traffic. The Eastern states assumption advantage “may not be true.” Nevertheless, Ross believes breakbulk volumes along Gulf Coast ports may eventually benefit from a delay in the expansion of the canal, as some Midwest shippers divert traffic from West Coast ports. (Breakbulk magazine 08/15/14)

Gulf-built PCs join 5th Fleet

The final two Cyclone-class patrol craft (PC) arrived as part of the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain on Aug. 13 bringing the total number to 10. USS Hurricane (PC-3) and USS Monsoon (PC-4) are to be part of a plus-up of smaller ships to ease the stress of the Navy’s larger Arleigh Burke destroyers (DDG-51). The Navy has operated PCs within the 5th Fleet to focus on the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman since 2003. “This class of ship is ideal for working in this area,” said Capt. Brendan McLane, commander, Destroyer Squadron 50. The ships are, “used to escort larger ships, provide maritime security, protect infrastructure, as well as participate in exercises with allies and regional partners,” according to the fleet statement and reported by USNI. (Source: USNI 08/14/14) Gulf Coast Shipbuilding Note: The 14 Cyclone-class Patrol Craft were constructed by Bollinger Shipyard in Lockport, La.)

New cutter to be christened

PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- The fifth Legend class U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter, James (WMSL 754), will be christened Saturday at Ingalls Shipbuilding. The ship is named for Capt. Joshua James of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which became part of the Coast Guard in 1915. James is credited with saving hundreds of lives starting when he was 15. He died in 1902. Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger, vice commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, will be the keynote speaker at the christening. Mrs. Charlene James Benoit, great-great niece of the ship's namesake, is the ship sponsor. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., will also speak at the ceremony. (Source: Ingalls, 08/13/14)

VT Halter launches ship

PASCAGOULA, Miss. – The 692-foot Marjorie C hit the waters of Bayou Casotte with a mighty splash and hearty applause during a VT Halter Marine launching ceremony Saturday morning. Marjorie C has the ability to carry 1,500 TEUs above and under deck, as well as vehicles and over-high and wide cargo on 10 workable decks, and it will have a vehicle shipping capacity of 2,750 units. At more than 25,000 metric tons, Marjorie C is the largest vessel ever launched by VT Halter. It's being built for Honolulu-based Pasha Hawaii, which offers transport between the West Coast and Hawaii for a variety of vehicles, yachts, heavy machinery and oversized cargo. (Source: Mississippi Press, 08/09/14)

Banner year for LCS rollouts

Both variants of the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships are being cranked out in an anticipated 2015 banner-year fashion. On Aug. 5, the Mobile, Ala.-based Austal USA Shipyard rolled out its Independence-class Montgomery (LCS 8) from its building shed onto a Mobile River barge. The LCS was then moved up river and transferred to a floating drydock. The LCS was launched Aug. 6 when the drydock was taken to deeper water and flooded. In Marinette, Wis., Lockheed Martin’s shipbuilding partner at Fincantieri Marinette Marine rolled out Freedom-class’ Detroit (LCS 7) back on June 27. The launch won’t take place until sometime the fall. Marinette is one of the few builders to use the sideways-launch. Each shipyard plans to deliver two LCS for the in 2015. It will mark the first time four LCSs will be delivered in a single calendar year, according to a Defense News blog. (Source: Defense News 08/07/14.)

Ingalls delivers composite deckhouse

GULFPORT, Miss. -- Ingalls Shipbuilding has delivered the composite deckhouse for the destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) to the U.S. Navy. The 900-ton deckhouse provides an advanced structure that will house the ship's bridge, radars, antennae and intake/exhaust systems and is designed to provide a significantly smaller radar cross-section than any other ship in today's fleet. The deckhouse will be placed on a barge and shipped to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine to be integrated onto the steel hull of DDG 1001. Ingalls built and delivered the composite deckhouse and hangar for DDGs 1000 and 1001 at the company's Composite Center of Excellence in Gulfport. (Source: Ingalls Shipbuilding, 08/07/14) Previous

JHSV 4 completes trials

The Austal USA-built Joint High-Speed Vessel Fall River (JHSV 4) has completed its last significant milestone, before delivery to the Navy, concluding acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico at the end of July. The ship passed a number of comprehensive tests while underway demonstrating the operation of its major systems and equipment. "Each ship of this class leverages lessons learned from previously-delivered vessels," Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager Capt. Henry Stevens, told Aviation Week. "JHSV-4 is no exception." Since delivery of JHSV 1, the ships have supported operations in European, African, Southern and Pacific regions. JHSV-4 is being prepared for delivery to the Navy’s Military Sealift Command later this year. Austal builds JHSVs at its Mobile, Ala., shipyard. Austal’s contract was for $1.6 billion. (Source: Aviation Week 08/05/14)

Halter earns new barge pacts

ESCATAWPA, Miss. - More ships are in the works to be built here at VT Halter Marine. The company announced Friday it had been awarded new contracts to build two tug barges for Brouchard Transportation Co., Inc. VT Halter Marine officials say the work will bring about 40 new jobs to South Mississippi. Construction on the tugs is set to begin this fall; and finished by summer 2016. (Source: WLOX 08/01/14)