View non-flash version
R eady or not, 2011 is upon us. The last couple years have been trying for ship and boat builders, but at the end of 2010 positive news was still to be had. Signal International Inc., a large builder of both ships and workboats completed a $9m yard and drydock renovation on its facilities in Mobile, Ala. Small builders like SeaArk, Kvichak, All American and Great Lakes Shipyard continued to report newbuilds and renovations. On the one hand, we start 2011 with the news that Todd Shipyards in Seattle has been bought out by Vigor Industrial. Although staff and contracts aren’t supposed to be impacted much as a result, it’s a significant change in the landscape of West Coast shipbuilding. On the other hand, 2011 brings some unambiguously good news in Gulf Coast shipbuilding. Austal USA in Mobile Ala. is looking to more than double its workforce after landing a U.S. Navy contract to construct one Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The contract is worth about $432m total and Austal USA said it will immediately start expanding it facility to the tune of $140m. This month’s feature takes a close look at one shipyard in particular, Ketchikan’s Alaska Ship & Drydock (ASD). I spent quite a bit of time talking with Doug Ward, Director of Shipyard Development at ASD, about the history of the yard and how closely the yard’s business plan has been tied to the economic development of Southeast Alaska. More than one private contractor had failed to manage ASD before the current team took the reins. Ward talked about the business philosophy that turned ASD around and ultimately lead to the contract to build the M/V Susitna (featured on this month’s cover). Much has been written about this new type of Expeditionary-Craft, or E-Craft, commissioned by the Office of Naval Research and built with an ice-strengthened, twin-hull and variable draft. But to have had the foresight to position the yard so that it was ready and able when the opportunity came around shows some real man- agement expertise. Not only does the vessel meet the Navy’s need to test a new design and Alaska’s need for a rugged mode of transportation across the Cook Inlet, the vessel represents a potential series of new craft that could become ASD’s future new build market. SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to the print or electronic edition of MarineNews at www.marinelink.com/renewsubscr/Renew04/subscribe.html or e-mail Kathleen Hickey at mrcirc@marinelink.com DAILY NEWS via E-MAIL Twice every business day we provide breaking news, tailored to your specification, delivered FREE directly to your e-mail. To subscribe visit http://maritimetoday.com/login.aspx POST & SEARCH JOBS Job listings are updated daily and help match employers with qualified employees. Post a position or keep abreast of new employment opportunities at http://www.maritimejobs.com ADVERTISE MN offers a number of print and electronic advertising packages. To see our editorial calendar and advertising rates, visit www.marinelink.com/AdvRates/Rates.asp Raina Clark, Managing Editor, rainaclark@marinelink.com Want to hear more from behind the editor’s desk? Visit the MarineNews Notes blog at www.MaritimeProfessional.com. Online Resour ces 6 MN January 2011 EDITOR’S NOTE rainaclark@ marinelink.com
