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Shipbuilders Council of America
20 F Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20001
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SCA Weekly Report | February 15 - 19, 2021
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2021 National Ship Repair Industry Conference (NSRIC) Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2021 National Ship Repair Industry Conference (NSRIC) is now open. NSRIC 2021 will take place virtually on 23 March 2021 from 1300-1600 EST.
Due to the pandemic, the in person portion of NSRIC will be deferred to 2022. However, we will continue with the NSRIC tradition of having senior Navy, Coast Guard and MSC leadership speak to the companies that make up the Ship Repair Industrial Base.
Invited Speakers include:
- CNO, Admiral Gilday
- VCNO, Admiral Lescher
- VADM Galinis
- VADM Kitchener
- RADM Moton
- RADM Wettlauffer
- RADM Boubolis, USCG
- RDML Ver Hage
This event is free to attend for SCA and SRA members.
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Webinar: Navy Certification Program for USV Equipment and Systems
On March 3, 2021 at 11:00 AM EST, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will be holding a webinar to discuss the development of a certification program for equipment and systems that will be used on USV programs for the Navy. The certification will demonstrate equipment conformity to requirements established by the Navy, to include a Technology Readiness Level of 7 or greater, along with the demonstrated capability for reliable operation for a minimum of 30 days autonomously without external preventive or corrective maintenance intervention.
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ABS is working with the appropriate Navy stakeholders in PEO USC Program Office and Naval Technical Authority to develop the suggested certification program for USV associated equipment and systems.
It is the desire of both the Navy and ABS to not only elicit feedback from industry, but also collaborate with appropriate industry associations and other applicable stakeholders. Information derived and assessed from industry engagement will be used to develop implementing processes, procedures, and tools for this new certification.
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Legislation Introduced to Support Maritime Training
Last week, U.S. Rep. Sylvia R. Garcia, D-Texas, introduced H.R. 987, a bill that would create a grant program for community and technical colleges that offer training programs for maritime industry professions. The bill would authorize $200 million nationwide to fund the grant program. “Maritime industry jobs are a critical part of our nation’s economy. Yet research has shown that there may soon be a shortage of maritime industry workers,” said Rep. Garcia. “Therefore, it is essential that Congress act to support community and technical colleges providing training for the next generation of workers in this industry to avoid a future workforce shortage.”
Golden Named Vice Chair on House Armed Services Subcommittee Overseeing Military Shipbuilding
Earlier this week, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) was named Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. As Vice Chair, Golden takes on an elevated role on the subcommittee, which oversees naval acquisition and contracts for military shipbuilding. HASC Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Joe Courtney (CT-02) applauded Golden’s selection.
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BOEM Issues Lease for First Wave Energy Research Project
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that they have issued a lease for the first wave energy research project in federal waters off the U.S. West Coast. “This is the first time a lease has been issued to support the testing of wave energy equipment in federal waters off the U.S. West Coast,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton. “Ocean waves contain a tremendous amount of energy, and this opportunity offers exciting potential to demonstrate the viability of wave energy technology and expand the nation’s renewable energy portfolio.”
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Wartsila Unveils Jones Act Hybrid SOV
Recently, Wartsila announced they have designed a US-flagged Jones Act compliant hybrid multi-purpose SOV. The 250 ft. vessel can accommodate up to 60 crew and wind-farm technicians in 55 single and five state cabins. The vessel’s double-decked cargo space is said to provide ample room for technicians, lifting equipment, parts storage, and containerized cargo. The latter is stored in the dedicated upper deck, which can be fitted with an optional container-handling system.
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Opinion: America Must Meet the Challenges of Maintaining Maritime Superiority
America’s economic prosperity and national security depend on free access to global sea lanes and oceanic shipping routes. It is in the oceans and waterways that America’s commercial, military and national interests come together. However, the maritime domain is also where near-peer competitors are testing our resolve. It has never been more important than now for Congress and the new administration to take necessary steps to ensure the United States doesn’t become a declining maritime power. READ MORE >
Conrad Hosts Steel Cutting Ceremony for Suction Hopper Dredge
Recently, Conrad Shipyard hosted a steel cutting ceremony for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp (GLDD) at its Deepwater South shipyard in Amelia, LA. The ceremony signals the start of construction of a 6,500 cubic yard trailing suction hopper dredge. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled before the end of Q2 in 2023. The dredge will feature two suction pipes and will be able to dredge at depths of up to 100’. The new dredge is designed to be well-suited to multiuse applications on various project types. It will be deployed for channel deepening, maintenance dredging, beach nourishment, and coastal restoration projects with short to medium distance transport requirements.
U.S. Steps Up Heat on Container Carriers to Ease Port Congestion
U.S. regulators stepped up the heat on ocean shipping companies and the seaport terminals some of them operate, seeking to smooth the disrupted flow of containers that are swamping America’s biggest ports and wreaking havoc on the nation’s strained supply chains.
The Federal Maritime Commission said it will order container carriers and port terminal operators servicing the Los Angeles and New York areas to “provide information on their policies and practices related to container returns and container availability for exporters.” “Information received from parties receiving demands may be used as a basis for hearings, Commission enforcement action or further rule-making,” the FMC said in a statement Wednesday, without identifying the companies it’s targeting.
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Paula Zorensky on the SCA staff.
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