Marine Log - October 2007 - (Page 26) WSF NEAR FINALIZING NEGOTIATIONS WITH TODD ashington State Ferries (WSF), Seattle, Wash., is negotiating terms and conditions with Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, regarding the design-build contract to construct four 144-auto ferries that will not only replace the aging Steel Electric Class ferries, but also expand the system’s capacity to meet future growth. This past June, WSF accepted a joint proposal from Todd, J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation, Tacoma, Wash., and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Inc., Whidbey Island, Wash. Once the negotiations are complete, Todd as the prime contractor, must work out terms with Nichols Brothers and J.M. Marprice tag tinac. Todd will build the hulls of the vessels and the other two yards will construct the superstructures. The vessels will be assembled at Todd. Even though the contract with Todd is design and build, the state secured a Seattle-based team that is lead by The Glosten Associates, Inc., and includes Jensen Maritime Associates and Elliott Bay Design Group, to design the ferries. Todd could use the state-contracted design or turn to its own design. The design must be able to incorporate owner furnished equipment, such as the propulsion system, which was awarded under a separate contract in 2005. That contract, worth $44 million, was awarded to Valley Detroit Diesel Allison, City of Industry, Calif., in 2005. The diesel engines will meet the latest EPA standards and have the ability to run on alternative fuels. Under state law, the vessels must be built in Washington State. Also, Todd cannot retain any of the naval architects contracted in the original design work. The company plans to retain Guido Perla & Associates, Inc., Seattle, for its design, according to Michael G. March, Todd’s chief counsel. “We’re optimistic that we can complete the negotiations with the state within the next 10 days to two weeks,” Marsh told Marine Log. “We’re extremely excited about the prospect of building these ferries for the state. It’s certainly a positive for our workforce.” Once GPAI’s work is done, which should take about eight months, WSF should award the construction contract by mid2008, with steel cut for the first vessel by early 2009. Construction for the first vessel will take between 20 and 22 months, according to Marsh. “The length of time for the first vessel is really controlled by the engineering process. Once that’s completed, subsequent vessels will take between 13 and 14 months W $347m 26 MARINE LOG OCTOBER 2007 www.marinelog.com http://www.munters.com http://www.munters.com http://www.marinelog.com
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