The US Navy has concluded the 28th iteration of biennial maritime exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022.

The exercise was held between 29 June and 4 August in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

This year, RIMPAC witnessed the participation of around 25,000 personnel, 170 aircraft, three submarines, over 30 uncrewed systems, 38 surface ships and nine national land forces from across 26 countries.

RIMPAC 2022 Combined Task Force (CTF) Commander and US Navy vice-admiral Michael Boyle said: “By coming together as capable, adaptive partners, and in scale that we are, we are making a statement about our commitment to work together, to foster and sustain those relationships that are critical to ensuring safety of sea lanes and security of world’s interconnected oceans.”

During the month-long exercise, the participants performed a wide variety of maritime training drills, including disaster relief, security operations, sea control and complex warfighting.

In a first, the Royal New Zealand Navy’s fleet tanker HMNZS Aotearoa participated in the exercise to conduct replenishment of the multinational ships at the sea.

The exercise also involved the first-ever embedded use of the MQ-9A and MQ-9B uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) along with uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), namely Nomad, Ranger, Sea Hawk and Sea Hunter.

Furthermore, the Royal Malaysian Navy’s vessel KD Leskir (F26) conducted the first ever live missile firing outside the domestic waters.

RIMPAC 2022 Deputy Commander and Royal Canadian Navy rear admiral Christopher Robinson said: “This exercise provides tremendous training value, enabling partners to build skills and refine procedures through working together.

“Part of this comes from seeing how other partners approach similar scenarios, offering new perspectives.”

Source: https://www.naval-technology.com/news/us-navy-concludes-rimpac-2022/


The old saying goes that ‘practice makes perfect,’ but at Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, practice makes capable, adaptive partners of Sailors and service members from around the world.

The largest international maritime exercise in the world, RIMPAC gives participants a unique training opportunity while building cooperative relationships amongst countries. These relationships are crucial to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security throughout the world’s oceans. Through the formation of a combined international force, RIMPAC also enhances interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations in the maritime environment.

Building relationships

As part of the shore-based activities this year, Navy Reserve Sailors assigned to Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 22 Seabees joined forces with U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Sailors for several projects on bases around Oahu, ranging from pouring concrete to removing and rebuilding a stairway for safe beach access.

“As Seabees, we’re called to build all over the world, and RIMPAC goes a long way in creating trust,” said Equipment Operator 1st Class Richard “Tyler” Rack, from Houston, Texas, assigned to NMCB 22, Detachment 3222. “If we had to go to the Republic of Korea or work with them somewhere, we’ve already established familiarity and a working relationship.”

Such familiarity can be as simple as recognizing uniforms from different countries to understanding some of their cultural norms and expectations. It can also pave the way for lasting connections between Sailors and other nations’ service members.

“The good thing about working with partner nations is that you build a bond and a relationship with them by showing them how to use different tools and techniques, and showing them that you trust them,” said Steel Worker 3rd Class Alan Hopkins, of Houston, Texas, assigned to NMCB 22, Detachment 3222.

By working together and developing mutual trust, American troops and partner nation service members improve their overall knowledge and capabilities.

“I like the experience,” said Hopkins. “[Partner nations] have different ideas and techniques, so the good thing about RIMPAC is that they can come here and show us how they do things.”

The language barrier, however, can prove challenging for some RIMPAC participants.

“A big challenge for us has been having different languages,” Rack said. “Fortunately, America is a diverse nation with many languages, and we have a Sailor in our detachment who speaks Korean. They were able to translate for us, which was so cool.”

Along with having bilingual team members, participants adapted using translation apps, and sometimes even resorted to simple gestures to make their point. Despite the language barrier, U.S. and ROK Sailors were able to come together for their builds.

“Although the language is different, it seems like we can relate to each other and that’s good,” said ROK Navy Sgt. Major Seougju Yun, assigned to ROK Naval Mobile Construction Squadron 59. “It is very rewarding to see coworkers accomplishing projects. I think that training together can help us be good partners, even in an emergency.”

Warfighting readiness

RIMPAC provides Navy Reserve Sailors—who must be ready to mobilize within 72 hours—the opportunity to train to their billet in line with the Chief of Navy Reserve’s Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions.

The Fighting Instructions outline four lines of effort to modernize the force: design, train, mobilize, and develop. The “Train the Force” line of effort, also called, “Mob-to-Billet,” advocates for Sailors to focus on completing the warfighting requirements of their mobilization billet, in addition to readiness requirements.

“The RIMPAC experience would absolutely help me be able to mobilize within three days,” said Hopkins. “I can show up and already have some experience working with other nations in a joint [forces] situation, and that’ll be helpful in case I have to go to another country.”

RIMPAC is also opportunity for Reserve Sailors to be part of a working unit.

“As a Reserve Sailor, my favorite aspect of RIMPAC is to be back in a team environment with a common mission to accomplish,” said Rack. “In my experience, in the civilian sector, you cannot find such a deep level of camaraderie.”

Coupled with the fact that many Navy Reserve Sailors have civilian careers different than their Navy specialty, their ability to quickly integrate and adapt to any working environment is impressive.

“It amazes me when I show up to a construction project and witness so many of my [Navy Reserve] shipmates, who are very good at their respective rates—for example, as carpenters or equipment operators—and then you ask them what they do on the civilian side, it’s something totally different and yet, they know construction,” said Rack. “They’re teachers, bankers, fitness coaches, and business owners. You might never expect that.”

Warfighting readiness and interoperability may be the overall mission of RIMPAC, but the most memorable for most participants is the continued international camaraderie.

“The friendships that we have built during harbor phase will lead to lifelong partnerships,” said Vice. Adm. Michael Boyle, U.S. 3rd Fleet commander, who serves as the RIMPAC Combined Task Force commander. “Having a friend that you can call when you need help, that you already know their name, you already know their capability, you already have a rapport—is what RIMPAC is all about.”

Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California from June 29 to Aug. 4. For health safety reasons, this is the first full-scale RIMPAC exercise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Source:https://maritimefairtrade.org/rimpac-2022-building-relationships-and-warfighting-readiness/


Colloquially called drone ships, multiple unmanned platforms participated in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, in concert with manned platforms. Unmanned and remotely operated vessels extend the capability of interconnected manned platform sensors to enhance capacity across the multinational forces.

Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One (USVDIV-1) Commanding Officer U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley said RIMPAC 2022 was an excellent opportunity to train his team on common naval cultures between partner nations.

“It was rewarding to host discussions with senior leaders from participating countries on unmanned operations for RIMPAC 2022 and future concepts, as we move our partnerships forward with manned and unmanned teaming,” said Daley. “The opportunity to sail in such a large formation of ships was not lost on me as an operationally and tactically minded surface warfare officer.

“I appreciate the presence of such a large, interconnected, capable coalition of like-minded partner nations here and what it represents for our shared values moving forward.”

Known as the ghost fleet, the unmanned surface vessels Seahawk, Sea Hunter, Ranger and Nomad participated in RIMPAC 2022.

Seahawk and Sea Hunter are each 130 feet long with a central hull and two outriggers. Ranger and Nomad are 200 feet long, 35 feet wide and have a huge cargo deck on the back.

Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.


A group of Japanese technology stakeholders, comprising NYK Group (MTI), Japan Marine United Corporation, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, Furuno, JRC, BEMAC, ClassNK and NAPA, are to collaborate on a new Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering (MODE) programme at the University of Tokyo, commencing from the 1st of October.

The initiative aims to enhance digital engineering skills in the maritime sector through the construction of cooperative simulation platforms using model-based development (MBD) and model-based systems engineering (MBSE), technologies already more commonly used in the automobile industry.

MBD and MBSE approach problems by examining the functions of products and components as computer models, and then checking their behaviour during operation through simulations. This can assist in optimising complex system designs early in their creation, and also allows for a more collaborative development process to take place involving different stakeholders.

The programme for research on MBD and MBSE for the maritime field will be established by forming a network between the Graduate Schools of Frontier Sciences and Engineering at the University of Tokyo and other universities and research institutes around the world that are involved in advanced engineering, working with relevant experts from other sectors such as automobiles, aerospace and aviation.

An inaugural symposium is scheduled for the 4th of October at Ito Hall in the University of Tokyo.

Source: https://smartmaritimenetwork.com/2022/08/08/japanese-tech-stakeholders-to-begin-model-based-systems-design-programme/


The Regional Meeting for Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations (formerly known as the Workshop of Senior Maritime Administrators), jointly organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime Authority of Suriname (MAS), was held in Paramaribo, Suriname (28-29 July 2022).

The meeting was considered an important transition to a more formalized structure to address matters affecting sustainable maritime transport in the Caribbean Sea. This would include: transport of cargoes and passengers by sea, facilitation of maritime transport, legal and legislation matters, marine technology, maritime education and training, maritime safety, protection of the marine environment, navigation and rescue and any other relevant matters.

The meeting agreed to formalize the role of the Chair, which will be the host country, and a Vice Chair, to be instituted on a rotational basis amongst the participating States and Territories. A Sub‑Committee was established to formalize rules of procedure, intersessionally, for future meetings.

Other important decisions of the meeting included the provision of additional support for the development of the regional casualty incident/investigation database, progressing the GloLitter Programme in the region, increased collaboration among Caribbean maritime training institutions and increased support for the gender-based data collection by the regional Women in Maritime Association, WiMAC.

IMO was requested to reconvene a High-Level Symposium of Ministers responsible for maritime transport to focus on legislative issues and climate adaptability matters.

The meeting was conducted in the hybrid format and it was attended by forty representatives of the maritime administrations from the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Republic of Suriname and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; and the territories/regions of Aruba (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Bermuda (United Kingdom), the Cayman Islands (United Kingdom), Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Curaçao (Kingdom of the Netherlands) and Turks and Caicos Islands (United Kingdom).

The following organizations also participated in the meeting: Caribbean Maritime University (CMU); Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (CMoU); Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC); International Telecommunications Union (ITU); Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) Caribbean; Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); Regional Activity Center Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Centre – Caribe (RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe); United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cartagena Convention Secretariat; The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT); US NOAA National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS); Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC); and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Source: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/Pages/WhatsNew-1742.aspx


General Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that it received $1.4 billion in U.S. Navy contract modifications for construction of a sixth Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB 8) and two additional John Lewis-class fleet oilers (T-AO 211 and 212). This award comes in addition to $600 million already received to procure long-lead time materials for the same ships. The contract modification also provides an option for the Navy to procure an additional oiler, T-AO 213, bringing the total potential value to $2.7 billion for the four ships.

“NASSCO is committed to working together with the Navy to deliver these much needed ships to the fleet,” said Dave Carver, President of General Dynamics NASSCO. “As partners with the Navy, we remain dedicated to ensuring the success of both of these programs to help enhance and expand the Navy’s forward presence and warfighting capabilities while providing sustained growth for our workforce.”

Construction of the four ships is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2023 and continue into 2027.

U.S. Navy Ships
Credits: NASSCO

In 2011, the Navy awarded NASSCO with a contract to design and build the first two ships in the newly created Mobile Landing Platform program, USNS Montford Point and USNS John Glenn. The program evolved, adding USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), the future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) and the future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7), configured as ESBs. ESB ships are highly flexible platforms designed to support multiple maritime-based missions, including Air Mine Counter Measures, Special Operations Forces, and limited crisis response. Acting as a mobile sea base, this 784-foot ship has a 52,000 square-foot flight deck to support MH-53, MH-60, MV-22 tilt-rotor, and H1 aircraft operations. The future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) and USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) are currently under construction.

In 2016, the Navy awarded NASSCO with a contract to design and build the first six ships in the next generation of fleet oilers, the John Lewis-class. Designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy ships operating at sea, the 742-feet vessels have a full load displacement of 49,850 tons, capacity to carry 157,000 barrels of oil and significant amounts of dry cargo, as well as providing aviation capability while traveling at speeds up to 20 knots. The first ship, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), was delivered to the U.S. Navy in July 2022. The USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), and USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) are currently under construction.

General Dynamics NASSCO specializes in the design and construction of Navy and commercial ships and is a major provider of repair services for the U.S. Navy, with capabilities in San Diego, California; Norfolk, Virginia; Mayport, Florida; and Bremerton, Washington. More information about General Dynamics NASSCO is available at www.nassco.com.

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $38.5 billion in revenue in 2021.

Reference: NASSCO


China’s Maritime Safety Administration has closed part of the Bohai Sea for military exercises, according to a statement of the department, TASS informed.

These exercises will be conducted from August 8 to September 8.

“Military tasks will be carried out within the boundaries of the mentioned zones. Access to this zone is prohibited,” the document also reads.

From August 5 to 16, China has closed also a part of the Yellow Sea to conduct “annual combat shootings.”

On August 4, China’s armed forces began large-scale exercises—with missile launch—at six water zones around Taiwan. They were supposed to end Sunday afternoon, but, according to the Ministry of National Defense of China, they were extended by at least one day.

These drills began the day after Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, concluded her visit to Taipei.

Source: https://news.am/eng/news/715265.html


The first-ever repair of a US Navy ship in India signifies the capabilities of Indian shipyards in the global ship repairing market and adds a new dimension to the burgeoning Indo-US strategic partnership.

As Indian shipyards offer a wide-ranging and cost-effective ship repair and maintenance services using advanced maritime technology platforms, the US Navy had awarded a contract to L&T’s Shipyard at Kattupalli for undertaking maintenance of the ship.

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area Rear Admiral S Venkat Raman and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence visited the shipyard to welcome the vessel. The US Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin and Defence Attaché at the US Embassy at New Delhi Rear Admiral Michael Baker were also present.

“We are indeed pleased to welcome US Naval Ship USNS Charles Drew to India, for making her voyage ready. India’s initiative also assumes special significance in furthering the strategic partnership between India and the US. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for deeper engagements,” said Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar terming the event as a red-letter day for the Indian shipbuilding industry and the Indo-US defence relationship.

He added that the arrival of USNS Charles Drew for repairs is a sign of a maturing Indian shipbuilding industry.

“Today, India has six major shipyards with turnover of nearly $2 billion. We are making ships not only for our own requirements. We have our own design house capable of making all kinds of state-of-the-art ships. The country’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant is a shining example of the growth of the Indian shipbuilding industry.

“Under the new innovation ecosystem, vessels capable of undertaking autonomous missions have been built by Goa Shipyard Limited and some of our start-ups. The shipbuilding industry today is not just carrying out conventional things, but is also amalgamating the latest technologies with it,” he said.

US Ship

The Defence Secretary also asserted that the ties between India and the US have been expanding in scale and scope and are based on common values and beliefs of an open, inclusive and rule-based order in Indo-Pacific and rest of the global common systems. He added that there has been a tremendous amount of traction in the defence industry cooperation over the last couple of years between the two countries.

“Indian defence exports have seen a massive increase in the last four-five years. Exports, which were worth about Rs 1,500 crore in 2015-16, have now grown by 800% to around Rs 13,000 crore. A major destination for Indian exports is the US,” said Kumar. He thanked the US partners for their cooperation and support to the Indian defence industry, hoping that the defence exports will increase further in the times to come.

The USNS Charles Drew will be at Kattupalli shipyard for a period of 11 days and undergo repairs in various areas.

“In April, at the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin affirmed their intention to explore utilising Indian shipyards for repairs on US Navy vessels. This inaugural repair of USNS Charles Drewis a landmark development to be celebrated as a symbol of our strengthened US-India partnership,” said US Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin.

Rear Admiral Michael Baker, the Defence Attache at the US Embassy at New Delhi, said that the shipping industries positively contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific by partnering to deliver effective, efficient, and economical repair of military vessels.

The Marine Sealift Command of the US Navy had undertaken rigorous evaluation of select shipyards in India and cleared L&T for undertaking repairs on their vessels.

“It is a recognition for the modern infrastructure at the shipyard built to global standards,” commented JD Patil, Member of the Executive Council and Advisor to the CEO of L&T for Defence and Smart Technologies.

Source: https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/indian-shipyard-begins-first-ever-repair-of-a-us-navy-warship-189276.html


The Ministry of National Defense reported that 2 more ships carrying grain left Ukraine.

The Ministry of National Defense reported that 2 more ships carrying grain left Ukraine. 4 ships departing from Ukrainian ports yesterday and continuing their journey to Istanbul will anchor in Istanbul this evening and will be subject to inspection tomorrow.

 

According to the Ministry’s statement, grain shipments from Ukrainian ports continue as part of the Joint Coordination Center’s work. This morning, the ship SACURA, carrying 11 thousand tons of soybean to Italy, departed from Yuzni, and the ship named ARIZONA, carrying 48 thousand 458 tons of corn to Iskenderun, departed from Chernomorsk. On the other hand, 4 ships departing from Ukrainian ports yesterday and continuing their journey to Istanbul will anchor in Istanbul this evening and will be subject to inspection tomorrow.

 

The Joint Coordination Center, which opened on July 27, includes officials from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations (UN).

 

The Joint Coordination Center, which opened on July 27, includes officials from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations (UN).

 

GLOBAL FOOD PRICES WILL DOWN

 

On the other hand, with the agreement signed in Istanbul, 20 million tons of grain is expected to be discharged from Ukraine’s Odessa, Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk ports. With the evacuation, global food prices will also fall.

 

SHIPS WITHOUT GRAIN ARE NOT ALLOWED

 

Empty ships and ships not loaded with grain will not be allowed to leave ports.

 

Source:NTV


Aug 7, 2022 (Bloomberg) –Karpowership, the Turkish company seeking to supply more than 1,200 megawatts of power to South Africa, said its appeal to overturn an environmental ruling against its plans has failed in another blow to the country’s attempts to resolve a power crisis.

The company, which supplies ship-mounted gas-fired power plants, will be allowed to correct “perceived gaps” in its application, it said in a statement sent to Bloomberg on Sunday.

Karpowership last year won more than 60% of an emergency power tender to secure 2,000 megawatts of electricity to ease power shortages that have plagued the South Africa since 2008. While the companies were originally meant to commence supply this month, projects worth only 150 megawatts have concluded their financial arrangements and are more than a year away from commissioning.

Barbara Creecy, South Africa’s environment minister, last year dismissed Karpowership’s initial application after environmental activists lodged complaints about its impact on fishing, local ecosystems and potential greenhouse gas emissions.

“We respect Minister Creecy’s exercise of her powers, but we are very disappointed with the outlook especially given the time it took to make a decision,” Karpowership said in the statement. The company will refile its submission and hopes “that the process will be much timelier than it has been to date,” it said.

Last month South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced changes to the country’s power legislation in a bid to encourage private developers to supply the electricity that state utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. has failed to. The country is on course for its worst year of power cuts to date.

“South Africa needs dispatchable power now,” Karpowership said. “ We remain committed to being part of South Africa’s energy security solution and are ready to deploy our Powerships immediately.”

The amount of power Karpowership plans to supply could meet the needs of more than 800,000 homes.


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