MARINETTE, WI – Fincantieri Marinette Marine was recognized once again for its exemplary safety achievements by the Shipbuilders Council of America.
The SCA announced the 2020 shipyard safety awards this week, and FMM took in two of the top awards, Excellence in Safety and Improvement in Safety. These awards honor yards who enhance safe operations and promote programs of safety and accident prevention.
“Building on our exemplary safety record is something that we, collectively, have made a priority, and I am proud of our team and their embracing of this approach,” said Jan Allman, CEO of FMM.
According to the SCA, recently the entire shipbuilding community have seen the total recordable incident rate steadily decline, most significantly in 2019.
“American shipyards are dedicated to not only achieving the highest safety standards of any heavy manufacturing industry but are also leading in advancing safety practices,” SCA president Matthew Paxton said in a statement announcing the awards. “The shipyard industry is no stranger to the essential protective equipment our nation and world has become accustomed to which allowed for our hardworking essential workforce to continue operating during Covid-19.”
“On behalf of the 650,000 members of the American maritime industry, we salute the shipyards and repair facilities for their continuous dedication to the health and safety of our workforce,” added Paxton
SCA member companies are eligible for a safety award if they submit the SCA Injury & Illness survey for all four quarters, have zero fatalities throughout the year, and either have a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) below the SCA average, or if they reduce their year-on-year TRIR by 10% or more.
Shipyards that received both the “Excellence in Safety” and “Improvement in Safety” awards:
BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Boston Ship Repair (a division of Northeast Ship Repair, Boston)
Fincantieri Marinette Marine (Marinette, Wis.)
Southwest Shipyard LP (Channelview, Texas)
Técnico Corp. (Hampton Roads, Va.)
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (San Diego).
__________________________________________________________
About Fincantieri Marinette Marine
Fincantieri is the leading western shipbuilder with a rich history dating back more than 230 years, and has built more than 7,000 ships. Fincantieri Marine Group is the American subsidiary of Fincantieri, and operates three Great Lakes Shipyards: Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and Fincantieri ACE Marine. Fincantieri Marine Group’s more than 2,100 steelworkers, craftsman, engineers and technicians in the United States specialize in the design, construction and maintenance of merchant ships and government vessels, including for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. It is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services. Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the USA, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes. www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
Media Contact:
Eric Dent, Director of Communications | Fincantieri Marine Group – Eric.dent@us.fincantieri.com | (202) 488-4783
STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN, Friday, July 31, 2020: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is preparing to upgrade their shipyard equipment and facilities this year to assist with work on the Navy’s new guided-missile frigate.
Although the improvements will be within its current shipyard perimeter, FBS is working with the city of Sturgeon Bay and the state of Wisconsin to ensure all growth is understood and fully compliant ahead of construction later this year.
“This opportunity to continue and expand the work we are doing for the Navy with the frigate is exciting for many reasons,” says Todd Thayse, FBS’s vice president and general manager. “It gives us the ability to continue delivering naval vessels for the Navy and Coast Guard as we’ve done throughout our history. It also gives Door County direct and indirect economic benefits for a decade or longer as we upgrade our facilities, provide jobs, and continue partnerships with vendors and suppliers across the Midwest.”
FBS is partnering with its sister shipyard Fincantieri Marinette Marine, who was awarded the $795 million contract for the Navy’s first-in-class frigate April 30, 2020. Building a quality ship in Wisconsin will afford the Navy the opportunity to exercise options on the original contract for nine additional ships and services valued at $5.5 billion. The detailed design work of the first vessel began in May and the start of fabrication is planned for 2021.
FBS will build large portions of the frigate hull then ship them by barge across Lake Michigan to Marinette, much like they do with Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) construction. Fincantieri ACE Marine in Green Bay, also constructs aluminum modules for LCSs then sends them north to Marinette, as part of a collaborative system-of-yards approach that leverages the talent and capabilities across the three Wisconsin facilities.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding will maintain its current shipyard footprint in Sturgeon Bay that stretches along
“To be part of the shipbuilding process for the U.S. Navy and build the newest ships that will defend our Nation and protect the lives of the women and men sailing on them is an honor for Sturgeon Bay and Door County,” says Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward. “We have a rich history of being part of some of the greatest programs and projects in the shipping and defense industries. We are pleased to understand the economic boost it brings to our city and county and the jobs it secures for years to come.”
FBS will continue its robust commercial construction, conversion and repair business that it has prided itself on for decades. The yard recently finished work on the latest Washington Island Ferry and continues construction on a self-unloading barge, Great Lakes freighter, as well as an LNG bunker barge.
“We are always looking for talented women and men in our skilled trades, from steel-fitters to structural welders to fabricators, as well as engineering and business support services to be part of our Wisconsin team,” said Thayse. “Overall, we will maintain our current workforce numbers and simply train and transition our employees to assist with the frigate program. We look forward to continuing our commercial new construction projects and maintaining our seasonal Winter Fleet repair work that benefits the vessels currently on U.S. and international waterways.”
Media Contact:
Melissa Wollering, Fincantieri Marine Group, Senior Manager – Communications at 715.587.2993
melissa.wollering@us.fincantieri.com
About Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding
Located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is an industry leader in the construction, conversion and repair of large ships – tracing its rich history back more than 100 years. The diversified FBS portfolio includes all types of vessels including articulated tug-barge units, dredges and dredging support equipment, self-unloading carriers, ferries and offshore support vessels. On the repair side, FBS is expert at managing critical deadlines in the repair and sustainment of bulk carriers and other ships of the Great Lakes Winter Fleet.
Shipbuilding facilities at the 63-acre plant include a large graving dock, a U.S. Navy-certified drydock, and lifting capacity to meet the most demanding requirements. Erection buildings are climate-controlled and equipped with sophisticated computer-aided manufacturing equipment. Fincantieri’s skilled workforce has an average of more than 20 years of shipyard construction experience, in-house engineering, and a management team focused on client satisfaction and on-time delivery.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is an operating unit of Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), the United States division of global shipbuilding giant Fincantieri. fincantieribayshipbuilding.com
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. It is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services. Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the USA, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes. www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN, July 16, 2020: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Polaris New Energy hosted a private ceremonial keel laying Thursday, June 24, celebrating the start of construction of an LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunker barge. The barge will be named the Clean Canaveral and will operate as an articulated tug and barge unit that initially runs along the East Coast of the United States, providing LNG bunkering solutions to NorthStar Midstream’s customers.
Modern ships are now largely built in a series of pre-fabricated, complete hull sections rather than being built around a single keel. The event recognized the keel laying as the setting of the first modular components. This tradition dates back to the times of wooden ships and is said to bring luck to the ship during construction as well as the Captain and crew throughout its life.
After several months of pre-fabrication work of its modular sections by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding’s team, the 55-ton modules were set into place in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Team members from Polaris New Energy, along with representatives of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, stood to watch the first assembly of the modular components.
“Our workforce is very proud to construct a new LNG Barge for Polaris New Energy,” said Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding’s Vice President and General Manager Todd Thayse. “This small-scale liquefied natural gas carrier is being built by a predominantly local, highly-skilled workforce. We are excited about this partnership with Polaris New Energy and hope that is the start of exciting things to come.”
“We are pleased to see the completion of this significant construction milestone,” said Polaris New Energy’s Senior Vice President of Operations Thomas Sullivan. “We are proud of our productive working relationship with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, the U.S. Coast Guard, and ABS and look forward to the safe and efficient delivery of clean LNG fuel by this state-of-the-art bunker vessel.
The 5,400 m3 barge will be fitted with four 1,350 m3 IMO Type C tanks. It will utilize a cargo handling system designed and developed by Wärtsilä Gas Solutions. Dimensions of the vessel will be 340’ overall length, 66’ beam, and a depth of 32’-10”. The barge will be an ABS Classed barge. The vessel is slated for completion in late 2021.
To download high-resolution copies of the photos, we are providing them via We Transfer: https://bit.ly/LNGbarge
Media Contacts:
Melissa Wollering, Fincantieri Marine Group, Senior Manager – Communications at 715.587.2993
melissa.wollering@us.
About Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding
Located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is an industry leader in the construction, conversion and repair of large ships – tracing its rich history back more than 100 years. The diversified FBS portfolio includes all types of vessels including articulated tug-barge units, dredges and dredging support equipment, automated loading carriers, ferries and offshore support vessels. On the repair side, FBS is expert at managing critical deadlines in the repair and sustainment of bulk carriers and other ships of the Great Lakes Winter Fleet.
Shipbuilding facilities at the 63-acre plant include a large graving dock, a U.S. Navy-certified drydock, and lifting capacity to meet the most demanding requirements. Erection buildings are climate-controlled and equipped with sophisticated computer-aided manufacturing equipment. Fincantieri’s skilled workforce has extensive shipyard construction experience, in-house engineering, and a management team focused on client satisfaction and on-time delivery.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is an operating unit of Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), the United States division of global shipbuilding giant Fincantieri. fincantieribayshipbuilding.com
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. It is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services. Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the USA, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes.
www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
About NorthStar Midstream
NorthStar is a diversified logistics company providing flexible crude oil, sand, LNG and refined product logistics services, including storage and transportation solutions, to the North American energy industry. NorthStar’s assets include a 375-acre crude oil and sand logistics transloading and transportation terminal with 500,000 barrels of crude storage located in East Fairview, ND; a crude oil terminal with 160,000 barrels of crude storage located in Alexander, ND; a 23-mile, FERC-regulated crude oil pipeline located in McKenzie County, ND (providing access to the Dakota Access Pipeline via the terminals in East Fairview and Alexander); a marine terminal located in Point Comfort, TX; and an LNG production facility, marine loading dock, and LNG barging operations in Jacksonville, FL. For more information, visit http://www.northstarmidstream.
About Polaris New Energy
Polaris New Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of NorthStar terminals formed to supply Marine Transportation logistics to the growing demand for marine transportation of LNG in the US jones act market. http://www.northstarmidstream.
###
STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN – MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Washington Island Ferry Line are pleased to announce the completion of a new, year-round passenger/vehicle ferry for service to the Washington Island community across the Death’s Door Passage.
The new ferry, named Madonna, measures 124-ft in length, 40-ft in beam, and 9-ft in draft. The ferry has a capacity for up to 28 vehicles and 150 passengers. This is the largest vessel in the Washington Island Ferry Fleet, allowing crews to operate a spacious second ferry with year-round capabilities.
“We are very happy to have our latest ferry, completed in less than one year, ready to sail this summer within our fleet,” says Washington Island Ferry Line President Hoyt Purinton. “The work that was completed within our Door County community has impressed us; and we are happy with our continued partnership with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. We look forward to operating the Madonna between the tip of the Door Peninsula and Washington Island’s Detroit Harbor for many years to come.”
The Madonna joins four additional vessels in the Washington Island Fleet, the Arni J. Richter, the Eyrarbakki, the Robert Noble, and the Washington. All current vessels in the fleet were built in Sturgeon Bay.
“This is the third build we have completed for Washington Island Ferry Line,” says Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding’s Vice President and General Manager Todd Thayse. “All current ferry vessels were built in Sturgeon Bay – two by Peterson Builders, Inc. – and three by the talented women and men here at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. The work done on the new ferry has exemplified our quality and standards, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic. Our workforce was able to stay on schedule for an on-time delivery, which is commendable during this challenging time.”
“Although we are all going through a challenging time during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited about the newest expansion to our fleet, which will enhance our service to the island community for generations to come.” Purinton said. “With a similar design to the Arni J. Richter, which Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding built for us in 2003, the Madonna allows us to run a second, year-round ferry with icebreaking capabilities.”
Twin CAT-C32 main engines provide 1600 maximum horsepower while its stainless propellers and shafts (and stout framing) make it ice-capable. In addition to its winter operational capabilities, the ferry offers added vehicle and passenger capacity throughout the year. Outdoor, upper deck seating and an indoor, climate-controlled cabin are available to passengers, along with restrooms on two decks. Bow and stern ramps with wide gates allow for easy vehicle loading. The Madonna also has an overhead of 15-ft., sufficient to transport high-clearance specialty equipment and large oversized loads as needed.
Media Contact:
Monica Salmeri, Fincantieri Marine Group, Communications Specialist at 715.330.2219
monica.salmeri@us.fincantieri.com
Melissa Wollering, Fincantieri Marine Group, Senior Manager – Communications at 715.587.2993
melissa.wollering@us.fincantieri.com
About Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding
Located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is an industry leader in the construction, conversion and repair of large ships – tracing its rich history back more than 100 years. The diversified FBS portfolio includes all types of vessels including articulated tug-barge units, dredges and dredging support equipment, self-unloading carriers, ferries and offshore support vessels. On the repair side, FBS is expert at managing critical deadlines in the repair and sustainment of bulk carriers and other ships of the Great Lakes Winter Fleet.
Shipbuilding facilities at the 63-acre plant include a large graving dock, a U.S. Navy-certified drydock, and lifting capacity to meet the most demanding requirements. Erection buildings are climate-controlled and equipped with sophisticated computer-aided manufacturing equipment. Fincantieri’s skilled workforce has an average of more than 20 years of shipyard construction experience, in-house engineering, and a management team focused on client satisfaction and on-time delivery.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is an operating unit of Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), the United States division of global shipbuilding giant Fincantieri. fincantieribayshipbuilding.com
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. It is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services. Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the USA, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes. www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
About Washington Island Ferry Line, LLC
Washington Island Ferry Line’s operations began with the purchase of the existing ferry line in April 1940, which included two wooden ferries. Today, steel hulls of modern design meet a year-around, daily schedule of service. Washington Island, Wisconsin is a 22-square mile island and home to just over 700 residents. Homeport for the Ferry Line is Detroit Harbor, located 4.5 miles from the tip of the Door Peninsula. Washington Island becomes a popular summer destination, with thousands of seasonal Island homeowners, day-visitors and those who travel through Washington Island to reach Rock Island State Park for hiking or camping. Visitors board ferries at Northport Pier, at the northern end of State Highway 42, an approximately 1-hour drive north of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. In addition to providing an enjoyable experience on Lake Michigan waters, Washington Island ferries perform essential, daily lifeline service by carrying all varieties of cargo, mail and package freight, in addition to passengers and vehicles. Customer parking near the Northport dock is available to those who wish to board on foot for enjoyment of Island summer activities, such as bicycling or touring. Ferry schedules, rates and related Island information can be found at wisferry.com
###
For Immediate Release: June 25, 2020
Marinette, Wisc. – President Donald J. Trump visited Fincantieri Marinette Marine today following the shipyard’s recent contract award to design and build the first-in-class guided-missile frigate for the Navy.
President Trump toured the shipyard where Littoral Combat Ships are currently produced. He met with several Marinette Marine employees during his visit and offered remarks to a group of more than 700 employees, partners and local guests.
“We are honored to have the President here in Marinette,” said Dario Deste, President and CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “It means so much to the men and women who put their hearts and souls into building tremendous warships for this country.”
It was an historic day for the Marinette team. Trump is the first U.S. president to visit the shipyard. During his remarks, Pres. Trump congratulated the workers. “You are a national treasure. Your patriotism cannot be outsourced. You will forge the future of the Navy.”
In late April, Fincantieri Marinette Marine was awarded the frigate contract worth $5.5 billion, if all options are exercised by the Navy. The initial contract of $795 million is for the detailed design and construction of the first guided-missile frigate, with options for nine additional ships.
Global shipbuilding giant Fincantieri bought Marinette Marine in 2009 and invested $180 million in it over the next decade. Now they are poised to invest an additional $200 million into infrastructure and improvements to accommodate work on larger ships.
“We are grateful of the President, Congress, and the Navy for their continued faith and confidence in our ability to give them the world’s greatest frigate,” said Deste.
———————————————————————————————————————
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. It is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services.
Fincantieri Marine Group
Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the US, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes. www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
Point of Contact: Eric Dent, Director of Communications | Fincantieri Marine Group
Eric.dent@us.fincantieri.com | (202) 488-4783
STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN, June 23, 2020: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and The Interlake Steamship Company hosted a ceremonial keel laying Tuesday, celebrating the historic start of assembly on the first U.S.-flagged Great Lakes bulk carrier built in more than 35 years.
The keel is the foundation of the ship, and after more than nine months of engineering and pre-fabrication work of its modular sections by the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) team, the keel was laid within the shipyard’s large graving dock in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. More than a dozen team members from Interlake, along with the shipbuilders of FBS, stood in a socially-distanced manner to watch.
Modern ships are now largely built in a series of pre-fabricated, complete hull sections rather than being built around a single keel. The event recognized the keel laying as the first joining of modular components, or the lowering of the first modules into place in the graving dock. This tradition dates back to the times of wooden ships and is said to bring luck to the ship during construction as well as the Captain and crew later in life.
During the ceremony, Interlake’s Chairman James R. Barker, proudly revealed the new vessel would bear the name of his son and second-generation leader of the Company, Mark W. Barker.
“This ship is more than the steel assembled here by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding,” said James R. Barker, who has led the family-run company for more than three decades. “This ship represents Interlake’s determination to be an active and responsible participant in all aspects of Great Lakes trade.”
“This ship is being named for my son, Mark W. Barker, to recognize the many contributions that he has made to the Company, the industry, and to our community. In addition, this naming reflects the successful management team that he has put together,” Barker told the crowd. “Finally, it reflects that we are a family company and our commitment to staying one.”
The naming and keel laying also signifies that Interlake and Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding are well underway on this historic project.
“Our workforce is very proud to construct what will become a “homeport ship,” says Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding’s Vice President and General Manager Todd Thayse. “This large-scale bulk carrier is being built on the Great Lakes and will operate right here on the Great Lakes, which creates a sense of local and regional pride. Today’s
ceremony with Interlake and the naming of the vessel really brings this ship to life. We are excited and appreciative for Interlake’s continued confidence in the quality of our work.”
During the keel laying ceremony, there is a coin-setting tradition of having the youngest apprentice place newly-minted silver and gold coins under the keel upon which the ship will be constructed. Luke and Eli Barker, sons of Mark W. Barker and third-generation members of the family company, were chosen as the symbolic “young apprentices.” The brothers collected coins from various Interlake officials and tucked them in a bag, which they nailed into an oak block upon which the keel was set. When the ship is finished, the owners and others are presented with the block and coins, with both pieces becoming a part of the ships’ artifacts.
“It is truly amazing to have a ship that is built here in Wisconsin and made from steel from Indiana that came from iron ore mined in Minnesota with U.S. crews, U.S. workers, and U.S. miners all doing this for our great Country,” said Mark W. Barker, President of Interlake. “This is just an amazing story that I am absolutely privileged and so proud to be a part of as we continue the long tradition in this Country of building, running and operating the U.S. fleet.”
The new River-Class, self-unloading bulk carrier is believed to be the first ship for U.S. Great Lakes service built on the Great Lakes since 1983. Measuring 639 feet in length (78 feet W, 45 feet H, 28,000 DWT), the ship will transport raw materials such as salt, iron ore, and stone to support manufacturing throughout the Great Lakes region.
The Interlake Steamship Company, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Bay Engineering jointly designed the bulk carrier, complete with advanced vessel and unloading systems automation. Scheduled for completion in mid-2022, the carrier is being built by FBS’s nearly 700 skilled trade workers and will generate business for partnering contractors, vendors and suppliers. Major partners for the project include: American Bureau of Shipping (ABS); ArcelorMittal, Bay Engineering (BEI); EMD Engines; Caterpillar; EMS-Tech, Inc.; Lufkin (a GE Company), Kongsberg and MacGregor.
Media Contacts:
Melissa Wollering, Fincantieri Marine Group, Senior Manager – Communications at 715.587.2993
melissa.wollering@us.fincantieri.com
Chrissy Kadleck, Interlake Steamship Company, Public Relations at 440.935.1275
ckadleck@interlake-steamship.com
About Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding
Located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is an industry leader in the construction, conversion and repair of large ships – tracing its rich history back more than 100 years. The diversified FBS portfolio includes all types of vessels including articulated tug-barge units, dredges and dredging support equipment, automated loading carriers, ferries and offshore support vessels. On the repair side, FBS is expert at managing critical deadlines in the repair and sustainment of bulk carriers and other ships of the Great Lakes Winter Fleet.
Shipbuilding facilities at the 63-acre plant include a large graving dock, a U.S. Navy-certified drydock, and lifting capacity to meet the most demanding requirements. Erection buildings are climate-controlled and equipped with sophisticated computer-aided manufacturing equipment. Fincantieri’s skilled workforce has extensive shipyard construction experience, in-house engineering, and a management team focused on client satisfaction and on-time delivery.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is an operating unit of Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), the United States division of global shipbuilding giant Fincantieri.
fincantieribayshipbuilding.com
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. It is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services. Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the USA, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes.
www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
About The Interlake Steamship Company
As the largest privately held U.S.-flag fleet on the Lakes, Interlake has been carrying the bulk cargoes that have been fueling the region’s economy together with its predecessors for more than 100 years. A second-generation, family run company, Interlake is propelled by a long-term vision to make its fleet of nine vessels the most efficient and environmentally responsible in the shipping industry. The Company has invested more than $100 million to modernize and improve its ships to safely and reliably transport 20 million tons of raw materials annually, including iron ore and flux stone for the steel industry, stone for the construction industry, coal for power generation and salt for de-icing needs on roads and highways. Interlake employs about 400 men and women who live and work in the region and the cargoes they deliver help generate and sustain more than 103,000 jobs in the eight Great Lakes states.
www.interlake-steamship.com
###
WASHINGTON D.C. – This week marked the start of new leadership at Chesapeake-based Fincantieri Marine Systems North America, as longtime Floridian Ryan W. Smith assumed the position as CEO for the company.
“Ryan brings years of experience and strong leadership, after leading major repair and maintenance projects supporting the U.S. Navy,” said Dario Deste, Fincantieri Marine Group President and CEO. “We are pleased to bring him onboard.”
“I am excited to join FMSNA as our CEO and look forward to growing the services provided to our government and commercial customers,” said Ryan Smith, FMSNA CEO.
FMSNA is a U.S. corporation that offers essential products and services to the Department of Defense for use in homeland security and commercial business. They offer nearly every facet of service, including engineering support, service of marine propulsion systems and components, as well as training and maintenance support. FMSNA recently expanded into total ship sustainment starting with Trial Card completion and Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) support in Jacksonville, FL.
Smith brings over 15 years of experience in program management and engineering roles with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems, as well as project management and lifecycle consulting services for major defense contractors and ship repair organizations focusing primarily on support of U.S. Navy programs. Smith brings over a decade of waterfront management experience at multiple ports to help lead the expansion into total ship sustainment.
———————————————————————————————————————
Fincantieri Marine Group
Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the U.S., including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes. www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
Point of Contact: Eric Dent, Director of Communications | Fincantieri Marine Group
Eric.dent@us.fincantieri.com | (202) 488-4783
# # # # # # # #
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today Fincantieri Marinette Marine was awarded the nearly $800 million contract to build the first-in-class guided missile frigate for the U.S. Navy, with an option for nine additional ships.
The award was announced by the Department of Defense this afternoon following competition among several other major U.S. shipyards. The contract offers FMM the option to build and deliver up to 10 ships, as well as post-delivery availability support, engineering and class services, crew familiarization, training equipment and provisioned item orders. According to the contract announcement, if all options are exercised, the cumulative value of this contract will be $5.5B.
“When we began this journey nearly two years ago it was with the belief that there was a place for new ideas, new platforms and new partners in an already talented U.S. shipbuilding industry,” said Fincantieri Marine Group CEO Dario Deste. “Today’s announcement validates that thinking.”
The Navy plans to build 20 ships as part of the future frigate program. Fincantieri will build an adapted variant of the Italian FREMM (European multi-purpose frigate) in Wisconsin at its Marinette shipyard.
“Congratulations to the Navy on this important decision,” added Deste. “The men and women of Fincantieri Marinette Marine and our partner suppliers throughout the United States are ready to get to work.”
——————————————
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and has built more than 7,000 vessels in over 230 years of maritime history. It is a leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry’s sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega-yachts, ship repairs and conversions, systems and components production and after-sales services.
Fincantieri Marine Group
Fincantieri operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG). This company, which serves commercial and government customers in the US, including the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, has three shipyards (Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and Fincantieri ACE Marine) located in the Great Lakes. www.fincantierimarinegroup.com
Contact: Eric Dent, Director of Communications | Fincantieri Marine Group
Eric.dent@us.fincantieri.com | (202) 488-4783
#########
Washington D.C. — As the COVID-19 virus impacts the lives of nearly every American and across much of the world, Fincantieri’s Wisconsin shipyards continue their important work in support of America’s critical infrastructure.
Several state governors, including Wisconsin’s Tony Evers and Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, recently announced ‘stay-at-home’ orders, requiring most to remain in homes or where they live. These orders also stipulate that those in critical infrastructure are expected to continue working. Fincantieri Marine Group, consisting of Marinette Marine, Bay Shipbuilding, and Ace Marine fall into the critical manufacturing and defense industrial base sectors of protected work.
The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and the Navy have communicated to Fincantieri leaders that the work they are contracted to do is vital to the nation’s economic and national security, and there is an expectation of continued operations.
Fincantieri leaders continue to reinforce prevention efforts to protect employees, but are thankful that the criticality of the work done in Sturgeon Bay, Marinette and Green Bay means that employees and their families will be fortunate to work and earn paychecks as they weather this pandemic.
“We want all of our men and women, their families, and our suppliers and partners to be mindful of guidance from the CDC and state health authorities as to how to protect themselves, and we will continue to treat this with the great diligence,” said Dario Deste, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “We will take every precaution as we uphold our obligation to our commercial, military and government leaders.”
Leaders at the two largest Fincantieri shipyards have instituted many changes to prevent the spread of the virus, such as multiple daily cleanings of high traffic areas, social distancing throughout the facilities, prohibiting nearly all travel, detailed screening of all visitors and deliveries, and using remote and shift work when possible.
“The Sturgeon Bay shipyard remains busy, working every day to get the commercial winter fleet ready to depart,” says Todd Thayse, FBS’s Vice President and General Manager. “The 12 commercial vessels in Sturgeon Bay for winter repairs are near completion and will depart later this month to begin hauling critical products like grain and coal.”
Keeping the workforce safe has been a challenge during the COVID pandemic, but Jan Allman, CEO of Fincantieri Marinette Marine, remains positive. “Just as we have an obligation to the Navy, we have an obligation to our workforce. We will keep this yard as clean as we can, so that our teammates have the opportunity to keep working and earning for their families. We ask our employees to self-assess their health daily, and if they are not well, stay home. We have sick leave and other options should they become exposed or need to stay home.”
Thayse added, “We too have implemented numerous measures to try to maintain a safe, clean and healthy environment during these trying times.”
“We will get through this,” Deste said.
-30-
For more information about Fincantieri Marine Group www.fincantierimarinegroup.com.
About us: Fincantieri Marine Group is the United States subsidiary of Italian enterprise FINCANTIERI, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, a company employing 19,000 shipbuilding professionals in 20 shipyards on four continents. FINCANTIERI has a rich history dating back more than 234-years and a track record of building more than 7,000 ships.
Fincantieri Marine Group is comprised of three Great Lakes Shipyards: Fincantieri Marinette Marine, builder of the Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship for the United States Navy; Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, specialists in construction, repair and conversion of USCG and commercial vessels, including ATBs and OSVs; and, Fincantieri ACE Marine, an aluminum construction facility and builder of the Response Boat-Medium for the USCG, as well as specializing in the design and construction of high-speed coastal intercept and patrol vessels.
© Fincantieri Marine Group 2020-2026 | Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy
