Conference: A Look at a 200-Ship Navy

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The U.S. Navy currently possesses approximately 280 ships, less than half the number during the Cold War. Between likely budget cuts, the increased cost of shipbuilding, and continued de-commissionings, the long-term outlook is that the fleet will continue its decrease in size, perhaps reaching as few ships as 200. "Allowing the current U.S. naval slippage to continue will result in a combat fleet of a size we haven't seen since 1911," said Seth Cropsey, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow and former Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy.

In order to address this issue, Hudson Institute is hosting a conference, "Don't Give Up the Ships - A Look at a 200-Ship Navy." Speakers will include Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA); John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy; Eric Labs, Principal Naval Analyst for the Congressional Budget Office; Aaron Friedberg, Professor of Politics and International Affairs..

When: May 22, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Electric Boat Corporation
Washington Office
1201 M St, SE

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company`s latest Incat fast ferry has arrived in her new home waters after completion of a major refit in the United Kingdom.

Allocated to the busy Douglas to Liverpool service, the Manannan is now the largest diesel powered high speed craft on the Irish Sea with greater cruising speed and increased vehicle and passenger capacity than the vessel she replaces. Onboard facilities have been enhanced to include lounges, various bars and eateries, and pre-bookable executive seating which equal or better anything found on similar vessels operating around the British Isles.

On Thursday 30 April, Sogreah, a firm of consulting engineers working in the fields of water, energy and the environment, launched the Otello, a 1:25 scale model of one of the largest French container carriers. This event was part of the celebrations to mark the extension of its Port Revel shiphandling training centre. Representing an investment of over $1.39m, the new facilities consolidate the center`s worldwide leadership in training pilots in shiphandling operations.

The idea that lay behind the creation of Port Revel on a shallow lake of the Chambaran hills in North Isère, France, in the 1960s is just as valid today, namely using the group`s expertise in physical modeling and the simulation of maritime phenomena to recreate navigation conditions as faithfully as possible. This system, uses model ships (at scale 1:25) sailing on a specially developed lake (with waves, currents, wind and shoals) giving the on-board pilots the same sensations as in the real world.

Launched in October 2007, the Port Revel development program yet again aims to address the needs of maritime pilots. As maritime trade explodes and the size and tonnage of ships increase, pilots` experience and know-how are increasingly decisive in handling these gigantic vessels.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission Thursday certified the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Berth 97-109 Container Terminal Project (China Shipping) and approved the project.

The approved project, which will include a tenant lease to year 2045, will provide thousands of future jobs while substantially reducing air emissions at the terminal through unprecedented mitigation measures. "We`ve just approved what could very well be the cleanest and greenest port container terminal operation in the world," said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President, S. David Freeman. "This project underscores our commitment to investing in and growing our cargo operations for the future -- but not at the expense of public health."

"This is the third major project EIR our Board has approved in roughly 12 months - it`s another sizable investment in the future of this Port," added Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. "In these tough economic times, the thousands of jobs this operation will create is welcomed news, and it`s only possible by ensuring that our operations apply industry-leading environmental measures."

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