Port highlights Fleet Week and BAE wins tanker overhaul contract; dredging enabled ship access

The Port Commission's executive director opened the meeting with a report on Fleet Week and waterfront activity and announced that BAE Systems Ship Repair at Pier 70 was awarded a contract to overhaul the Military Sealift Command tanker Henry J. Kaiser.

In the director's report staff described multiple Fleet Week events, including ship visits and Blue Angels demonstrations. The director then noted BAE's contract at Pier 70: "This is an $8,000,000 job," the director said, adding the work would support about 150 workers over 55 days.

Hugh Vanderspeck, general manager of BAE Shipyard, told the commission that the contract award was contingent on required dredging. "We completed Central Basin dredging September 1, and literally, Military Sealift Command wanted the final drafts and bathymetry for Central Basin before they could award the contract," he said, adding that the Henry J. Kaiser requires a 30-foot draft to reach the yard. Vanderspeck estimated BAE's combined work volume with the Paul Foster destroyer could approach $20,000,000 and account for more than 200,000 man-hours.

The director also reported increased cruise-ship calls (including the Sapphire Princess at Pier 27) and highlighted shore-power hookups that allow ships to use shore electricity while in port to reduce emissions. Commissioners congratulated staff and BAE on the contract and on completing dredging work that enabled the repairs.

No formal vote was required for the executive director's report; attendees offered public and staff remarks of appreciation.