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MARAD Announces NSMV-1 Ship Sponsor and Honorary Matron of Honor
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced Captain Elizabeth Christman as the sponsor of the first state-class National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) the EMPIRE STATE, which will be delivered this summer to the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College as the university’s new cadet training vessel. MARAD also announced Mrs. Kimberly Alfultis as the Honorary Matron of Honor for the EMPIRE STATE. The spouse of Rear Admiral Michael Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime College.
The EMPIRE STATE is the first of five NSMV’s MARAD is building to replace older training vessels at the nation’s state maritime academies. Each NSMV will feature state-of-the-art instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and accommodations for up to 600 cadets. The vessels can also function as humanitarian and disaster support vessels as needed.
In 2019, MARAD selected TOTE Services to be the vessel construction manager (VCM) for the NSMV program to ensure the use of best practices in commercial ship construction. As construction manager, TOTE awarded Philly Shipyard the contract to construct all five of the vessels. Deliveries are scheduled to take place through 2026, starting this summer.
Austal USA Lays Keel for Second EPF Flight II
Austal USA has celebrated the official start of construction of the future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15) with a keel laying ceremony at its Mobile, AL shipyard. The future USNS Point Loma is the second EPF Flight II ship built by Austal USA in Mobile. EPF Flight II provides a Role 2E (enhanced) medical capability which includes, among other capabilities, basic secondary health care built around primary surgery; intensive care unit; ward beds; and limited X-ray, laboratory and dental support. Enhanced capabilities to support V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11 meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats complement the ship’s medical facilities.
US LNG Project Approvals on Track for Record New Volumes
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) developers are on track to approve three export projects capable of processing 5.1 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas in the first half of the year, a record volume for new LNG projects in any year.
The U.S. became the world’s largest LNG producer by installed capacity in 2022 driven by the boom in LNG plant construction and a decade of surging shale gas discoveries. U.S. LNG exports are poised to reach 12.1 bcfd this year and 12.7 bcfd next year.
The latest approvals are chipping away at a backlog of projects pursuing financial support and customers willing to sign long-term contracts. Analysts say demand for the fuel will keep the flow of approvals coming this year. “We expect global LNG demand to grow from 399 million tons in 2022 to 627 million tons by 2035, more than a 50% increase,” said Michael Stoppard, global gas strategy lead at data provider S&P Global Commodity Insights.
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