Chesapeake Shipbuilding Inks Agreement to Design & Build 4 New Tugs for Vane Brothers

SALISBURY, MD – December 20, 2017

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today that it has signed another new agreement with Vane Brothers of Baltimore, MD to design and build four new Sub-Chapter, M-Compliant, Push Tugs, yet to be named. This new order will bring the total number of tugs to 20 that have been built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding for Vane Brothers since 2007.

Design and construction on the new tugs will begin immediately in Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s hull fabrication buildings. The four new vessels will be sisterships.

The new 3000 horsepower tugs will be equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines, conventional shafts, rudders and flanking rudders. They will accommodate up to 7 crew members and will have large, modern private and semi-private quarters. The Chesapeake designed tugs will be 94’ LOA, with a 34’ molded beam and a 10’ 6” molded depth.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Delivers 12th Tug to Vane Brothers

SALISBURY, MD – July 20, 2016

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced it has successfully delivered another ocean going tugboat to Vane Brothers of Baltimore, MD. The boat, named Fort McHenry, marks the 12th tugboat that Chesapeake Shipbuilding has built for the maritime transportation company. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has 5 additional tugboats under construction for Vane Brothers.

The Fort McHenry is equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines producing a combined 3,000 horsepower, and a single drum hydraulic winch from JonRie of New Jersey. The tug measures 94’ long with a 32’ beam, and a 13’ depth.

All Chesapeake Shipbuilding tugs are built in a controlled indoor environment prior to being moved and launched into Maryland’s Wicomico River. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has recently made significant upgrades to its facility to increase its production capacity and efficiency.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Delivers Cruise Ship America

March 6, 2016, Salisbury, MD

Chesapeake Shipbuilding announced today that it has delivered the brand new cruise ship, America, to American Cruise Lines of Guilford, CT. The America is designed with luxury in mind and maintains Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s reputation as the premier builder of cruise ships in the United States. The Salisbury, MD yard has built each overnight cruise ship in the United States in recent years, including all new vessels for American Cruise Lines.

The America began its trip to New Orleans, LA immediately following delivery where it will operate 4 to 21 night cruises on the Mississippi River. The riverboat will routinely travel from New Orleans as far north as St. Paul, MN carrying 185 guests in the highest level comfort. The America meets the highest standards for comfort with glass enclosed lounges, the largest-in-class staterooms with private balconies, and a dining facility that enables all guests to dine together while enjoying the highest level of service.

The America is 296 feet in length overall and meets the most modern environmental and safety standards. It features two Caterpillar 3512 main engines with stern mounted z-drive units from ZF marine and three Caterpillar C18 generators producing a combined 1275kw 

Chesapeake Shipbuilding currently has two other overnight cruise ships under construction for American Cruise Lines. The destination for each ship has not been disclosed, but the line has announced that at least one will be intended for coastal/ocean service.

5th Hull Fabrication Building Completed at Chesapeake Shipbuilding

SALISBURY, MD – December 22, 2015

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. announced today that its 5th hull fabrication building is complete in Salisbury, MD.

The new building is 160 feet long by 70 feet wide and 70 feet high. The building will allow larger hull sections to be construction in an indoor environment at the yard. This building will be complete with advanced climate control and has been fitted with 2 overhead cranes and state-of-the-art equipment. It will be large enough to accommodate the construction complete tugboats or large hull sections in a controlled indoor environment. Currently under construction in this building is an aft module of Hull 119, a 275 ft. coastal cruise ship. The building represents Chesapeake’s continuing commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Brings on New Director of Design and Engineering

SALISBURY, MD – December 12, 2015

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. announced today that Steven McGee, P.E. has joined the senior executive team as Director of Design and Engineering at Chesapeake Shipbuilding.

With more than 20 years of engineering and maritime experience, McGee will oversee vessel design from preliminary conceptual design to complete Coast Guard and regulatory approvals. Chesapeake Shipbuilding currently has on staff 5 naval architects and 2 engineers.

“McGee’s experience in various positions with the U.S. Coast Guard, including Hull Division Chief at the Marine Safety Center and former Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, is a valuable asset we look forward to having on our team,” said Charles A. Robertson, President and CEO. “His rock solid reputation in the maritime industry will be critical for the retention and expansion of our customer base.”

McGee holds a bachelor’s degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a master’s of science in both naval architecture and marine engineering as well as aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding to Build 3 More Tugs for Vane Brothers

SALISBURY, MD – November 19, 2015

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD announced today it has signed another contract with Vane Brothers of Baltimore, MD to build three more ocean going tugs. This new contract marks the 15, 16 and 17th tugboats built for Vane Brothers by Chesapeake Shipbuilding since 2008. Construction on the first new tug has already begun in one of Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s hull fabrication buildings.

The design of these three new tugboats will be nearly identical to previous tugboats built for Vane Brothers. Each will be equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines producing a combined 3,000 horsepower, and a single drum hydraulic winch from JonRie of New Jersey. The tugs will measure 94’ long with a 32’ beam, and a 13’ depth.

All Chesapeake Shipbuilding tugs are built in a controlled indoor environment prior to being moved and launched into Maryland’s Wicomico River. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has recently made significant upgrades to its facility to increase its production capacity and efficiency.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding Launches Fort Schuyler Tug for Vane Brothers

April 9, 2015, Salisbury, MD

Chesapeake Shipbuilding of Salisbury, MD, announced today that it has successfully launched another tugboat for Vane Brothers of Baltimore, MD. The tugboat, named Fort Schuyler, represents the 11th tug boat that Chesapeake Shipbuilding has built for Vane Brothers of the 14 contracted.

The new tugboat is nearly identical to the previous 10 tugboats built for Vane Brothers - equipped with twin Caterpillar 3512 main engines producing a combined 3,000 horsepower, and a single drum hydraulic towing winch.

Each Chesapeake Shipbuilding tugboat is built in a controlled indoor environment, before being moved and launched into Maryland’s Wicomico River. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has recently made significant upgrades to its facility to increase its production capacity and efficiency, including two large hull fabrication buildings.

About Chesapeake Shipbuilding

With over thirty years of direct shipbuilding experience, Chesapeake Shipbuilding has become a leading designer and builder of a notable array of commercial ships up to 450 feet in length. Chesapeake Shipbuilding vessels operate all over the world and are suited in both inland and ocean service. Chesapeake Shipbuilding specializes in design and construction of passenger vessels, tugboats, ferry boats, etc.

The shipyard currently has five ocean-going tugs and two 305-foot cruise vessels under construction. Chesapeake Shipbuilding has upgraded its production capacity significantly in recent years, by acquiring additional land, building new hull fabrication buildings and investing in additional automated equipment.