Damen Shipyards Group has recently completed the extensive rebuild of cutting-edge research vessel OceanXplorer at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam. The vessel will contribute significantly to OceanX’s mission – to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world. In this way, the initiative aims at the building of a global community engaged with understanding, enjoying and protecting our oceans.

Upon completion of the project, OceanXplorer has become the most advanced exploration, research and media vessel in the world. As OceanX’s new flagship, she builds on the legacy of the organisation’s first vessel, Alucia and takes things to the next level. Equipped with a series of submersibles, sonar arrays, manned submarines, an ROV and AUV, OceanXplorer is able to explore and map the depths of the oceans.

The vessel is able to collect live samples and bring them aboard where they can be analysed by scientists in state-of-the-art laboratories – with the capabilities, amongst other things, to carry out DNA sequencing.

OceanXplorer’s outstanding research facilities are paired with Hollywood quality filming and media studios – developed in partnership with renowned filmmaker James Cameron. With this, the vessel’s findings can be live-streamed to audiences worldwide at the exact moment of discovery.

Damen served as main contractor in this complex and challenging project, fulfilling an extensive scope of work that brought together various disciplines from across Damen Shipyards Group – including offshore and survey newbuild, repair & conversion and yachting specialisms.

The project required Damen to rebuild the vessel – a former offshore survey ship – in essence from the main deck upwards by stripping the existing accommodation and adding a complete new and much larger accommodation to house the new laboratories, workshops and submarine hangar. Also a fully integrated heli hangar was added to the superstructure as well as extensions on both sides of the accommodation decks to house new cabins over the (increased) full beam of the vessel. Following the structural part, the work included overseeing the complete integration of all ship’s systems including specialist hydrographic and laboratory systems and an innovative IT infrastructure to facilitate the combination of state-of-the-art research facilities with the on board Hollywood standard cinematography and media studios.

Damen worked closely with OceanX’s specialist teams, developing the scope of the project in order to fulfil all requirements. This included responsibility for the interior and exterior of the vessel. The ship is unique in its combining of up-to-the-minute research facilities – courtesy of renowned naval architects Skipsteknisk – and top-of-the-line interior accommodations, designed by Christina Fallah. The vessel’s additional interiors as well as its exterior were styled by Steve Gresham.

The project also required Damen to undertake a docking scope, including removal and refurbishment of azipull and bow thrusters, blasting and coating of tanks and complete overhaul and upgrading of crew accommodation.

Tjarco Ekkelkamp, project director for the OceanXplorer project at Damen said, “This has been a challenging project, the result of which we are very proud of. On the one hand, this shows the extensive capabilities of Damen as a group – the powerful synergies within our group, covering both newbuild and repair & conversion capabilities and spanning commercial vessels and superyachts. On the other, this is a vessel that represents a force for good in the world – one that will enhance human involvement, understanding and ultimately conservation of our oceans. With our strong commitment to maritime sustainability, we are delighted to have played our part in the development of OceanXplorer.”

The technology group Wärtsilä’s proven experience in delivering cargo handling systems for gas carriers has been cited as a key consideration in the award of a new contract for Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC). The Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in South Korea has ordered the complete Wärtsilä cargo handling system design for two new 98,000 cbm VLECs currently under construction, with an option for a third vessel. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in October 2020.

The tailormade cargo handling system will comprise a highly efficient multi-cargo reliquefaction system and a unique ethane fuel supply system. The entire system will be connected to Wärtsilä’s inhouse-developed remote monitoring system, Operim, for efficient operational optimization.

“Wärtsilä is a leading provider of cargo handling systems and we are very confident with their designs and performance, so selecting Wärtsilä will ensure timely delivery with the highest quality standards for these unique vessels,” said Mr Jae-Eul Kim, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at HHI.

“This order again emphasizes Wärtsilä’s position as a market leader for the supply of gas carrier cargo systems in general, and VLEC cargo systems in particular. These are advanced and very specialised vessels requiring advanced and specialised cargo handling systems, and we very pleased to once again be selected as a trusted partner to HHI,” commented Kjell Ove Ulstein, Director of Sales and Marketing at Wärtsilä.

This latest order follows a similar order placed in 2019 by HHI for the system design for three VLECs. Wärtsilä has also previously supplied HHI with numerous LPG, LEG and LNG cargo handling solutions.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Port of Los Angeles a $9.88 million Port Infrastructure Development Program grant. The funding will help pay for construction of improvements at the heavily traveled interchange at Harbor Boulevard/Front Street and the Vincent Thomas Bridge (State Route 47) in San Pedro.

“Support for this federal grant came from all levels of government,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation, including its Maritime Administration, the members of Congress who represent the Port, and state and local leaders for recognizing the urgent need to modernize this critical junction of the National Highway Freight Network.”

These improvements to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) designated National Highway Freight Network (NHFN) include new and improved on-ramps and off-ramps, thus improving access to/from I-110 and the Vincent Thomas Bridge; elimination of a congested weaving section on the existing eastbound off-ramp; and improvements to the intersections on Harbor Boulevard/Front Street, including a new signal at the new westbound ramp terminus.

The project will significantly reduce delay, accidents and emissions at the largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere and in state-designated “disadvantaged/low income communities.” The Port of Los Angeles is designing the project — and will construct it — in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), District 7. Construction advertising is expected in December 2021.

The interchange directly serves two marine terminals that handle approximately 5% of all containerized goods to and from the U.S. Likewise, it is an essential link in the larger infrastructure network of the L.A.-Long Beach trade gateway, which handles nearly 40% of all imports to the U.S. and 25% of all U.S. exports.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced the award Oct. 15. Instrumental backers at the national level include Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán. Representative Barragán represents California’s 44^th District, which stretches from South Gate to Wilmington and San Pedro and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard from California’s 40^th District, which includes East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Bell, Commerce and Downey.

This project is also supported and funded by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), via a request for funding through the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (COG). LA Metro is providing $41.2 million, of which $37.4 million is for the construction phase.  Thus, the Port greatly thanks LA Metro Board of Directors, and in particular Los Angeles Mayor and LA Metro Chair Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and 11^th District City Councilman Mike Bonin. Additionally, 15^th District City Councilman Joe Buscaino, who represents San Pedro and Wilmington communities, sits on the board of the South Bay Cities Council COG and played a key role in securing LA Metro funding.