June 1981

Table of Contents

1. All Indicators Point To Dramatic Increase In Demand For Barge Capacity

   The president of AWO argues that barge transportation's cost and fuel-efficiency advantages, plus projected growth in coal, grain and chemical traffic, point to sharply higher demand for barge capacity — but warns that dredging delays, obsolete locks and expanding user charges threaten the industry's ability to respond.

   p. 22

2. A View Of Worldwide Shipbuilding Reveals Signs Of Revival In Some Sectors

   A country-by-country review of world shipbuilding, covering Japan's continued dominance despite capacity cutbacks, South Korea's expansion, China and Taiwan's growth, and the continuing contraction in Spain, France, West Germany, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.

   p. 45

3. AWO's American Waterways Shipyard Conference Is Shaping Policy For Long-Term Growth

   AWO's shipyard operations vice president describes the formation and work of the American Waterways Shipyard Conference, covering the Longshoremen's Act, OSHA regulation, foreign attempts to enter the U.S. market, and the Conference's committee structure.

   p. 33

4. Mobile Jackup Platforms—Past, Present And Future

   Marathon LeTourneau Offshore's president traces the jackup drilling rig from the 1955 Scorpion through slant-leg and vertical-leg designs to today's cantilever and 'super' jackups, and looks at future applications including the Morecambe Bay development plan.

   p. 19

5. Offshore Drilling Rigs, Support Vessels, Navy Ships, Inland Barges, And Repair Work Brighten The U.S. Picture

   A review of the 1980 U.S. shipbuilding year: a 49-ship merchant order book, 91 Navy vessels on order, 72 offshore drilling rigs, strong barge and repair demand, the failure of omnibus maritime legislation, and the effect of foreign price competition and government ship purchases abroad.

   p. 41

6. A Time Of Great Expectations, Enthusiasm And Excitement

   Tidewater's chairman surveys the outlook for the offshore oil and gas support service industry, reporting the strongest sustained demand in 25 years, a $83-million capital commitment in fiscal 1981, rising construction costs, and growing demand for specialized and higher-horsepower vessels.

   p. 15

7. Canadian East Coast Offshore Service Vessels—Experiences And Probable Future Requirements

   Two Crosbie Offshore Services executives trace the evolution of North Sea anchor-handling/supply vessels, report on 14 OSA vessels operating off Canada's east coast since 1979, and set out outline specifications and 14 recommendations for an ideal east coast support vessel.

   p. 50

8. U.S. Navy — A More Powerful Future

   The president of the Shipbuilders Council of America argues that recent naval shipbuilding programs have not produced enough ships, reviews competing proposals for a 550- to 650-ship fleet, and warns about sealift readiness and preservation of shipbuilding capacity.

   p. 39

9. Canada's East Coast Offshore Oil Potential—Opportunities For Shipbuilding

   Mobil Oil Canada's exploration and producing manager reviews east coast Canadian offshore development options, contrasting conventional steel platforms in the Sable Island gas area with the iceberg hazards of the Grand Banks that point toward semisubmersible floating production, storage and shuttle tanker systems.

   p. 52

10. U.S.-Flag Oceangoing Fleet

    A four-page tabular directory of the U.S.-flag oceangoing merchant fleet, listing owners and operators with their head office addresses and, for each vessel, the ship name, type, gross tonnage, deadweight tonnage, horsepower (turbine or diesel) and year built or rebuilt.

    p. 56