Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published May 9, 2018 3:43 PM by The Maritime Executive

The U.S. Navy's new $13 billion carrier, the first-in-class USS Gerald R. Ford, suffered another propulsion system bearing failure in January, according to a new Bloomberg report. 

This is the second time that the Ford has experienced the failure of a main thrust bearing on its propulsion system, following an earlier incident in April 2017. The bearings, manufactured by General Electric under its contract for the Ford's propulsion system, were apparently made with "machining errors," the root cause of the failures. 

The Ford is the most expensive vessel ever built, and she has suffered from a string of cost overruns and commissioning issues. These have included problems with her advanced dual-band radar system, electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and new advanced arresting system. "The poor or unknown reliability of these critical subsystems is the most significant risk to CVN 78. Based on current reliability estimates, CVN 78 is unlikely to be able to conduct the type of high-intensity flight operations expected during wartime," the DoD's Director of Testing & Evaluation wrote in a FY2017 report. In 2016, then-Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus blamed the deployment of multiple new technologies at once for the Ford's problems, and he ordered an independent review of the carrier's design. 

The Ford also faced delays in starting sea trials due to serious problems with voltage regulators on its four main turbine generators, which were built by Northrop Grumman. In 2016, one regulator reportedly malfunctioned badly enough to damage the number two turbine's rotors, and the turbine had to undergo a major overhaul. Naval Sea Systems Command emphasized that these problems were in no way related with the vessel's nuclear plant, which was built by Bechtel. 

Published Aug 26, 2022 9:23 PM by The Maritime Executive

The strike at the Port of Felixstowe is creating challenges for UK importers and exporters, and it has also delayed several vessels within the port complex. For at least one crew, this meant an opportunity for shore leave, with help from the seafarers’ charity Stella Maris. Felixstowe port chaplain Julian Wong went on board the container vessel George Washington Bridge before the start of the strike to meet the crew, and he left them his contact details in case they...

Published Aug 26, 2022 7:34 PM by The Maritime Executive

The shipping industry is discussing slow steaming as a means of reducing emissions and beginning to meet CO2 reduction targets for long-distance ocean routes. Now comes word from A.P. Moller-Maersk’s tugboat operations, Svitzer, that it has been able to achieve similar results for its tugboats during a trial program that they are rolling out across the global fleet. The company launched a pilot program in late 2021 across Svitzer’s UK operations. Tug crews were told to navigate at a maximum...

Published Aug 26, 2022 7:28 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Turkish government has decided to deny permission for the scrapping of the decommissioned Brazilian Navy carrier NAe São Paulo. Environmentalists believe that the former French Navy vessel (ex name Foch) contains a substantial amount of asbestos, and after the scrapper declined to carry out a new hazardous materials inventory, Turkey's environment ministry said that it would not grant permission for the vessel to enter Turkish waters.  "Due to the fact that the 'Hazardous Goods Inventory Report', which should be prepared by showing...

Published Aug 26, 2022 6:30 PM by The Maritime Executive

A design project underway in Norway that seeks to develop the first hydrogen ferries operating long distances and exposed to the harsh environment in the northern region has received initial design approval. Lloyd’s Register presented the Approval in Principle which is considered to be a major milestone in the effort by Norwegian shipping company Torghatten Nord to introduce the ferries by 2025. “We are very satisfied with the approval and we are proud to work together with the leading experts...

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