VT Halter Marine

VT Halter hosts ceremony for Q-LNG’s new ATB

In November 2017, New Orleans-based Q-LNG Transport LLC awarded a contract to VT Halter Marine, Pascagoula, Miss., to build a first-of-its-kind (in the U.S.) liquid natural gas (LNG) articulated tug/barge (ATB) unit. The ATB consists of a 324’x64’x32’6″, 4,000-cu.-meter barge and a 128’x42’x21′ 5,100-hp tug.

Shane Guidry, Q-LNG Transport’s CEO (left), Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss. (center), and Ronald Baczkowski, president and CEO, VT Halter Marine (right) jointly announce the names of the barge...

https://www.workboat.com/news/shipbuilding/vt-halter-hosts-naming-ceremony-for-qlng-transports-new-atb/

Polar Security Cutter Fuses Performance Requirements With Maintenance Needs

An artist’s rendering of VT Halter Marine’s winning bid for the U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter. VT Halter Marine image used with permission

WASHINGTON, D.C. – By building a heavy icebreaker designed to both withstand the frigid waters and accommodate major maintenance needs, the Coast Guard hopes to avoid the catastrophic failures that have hamstrung the service’s polar missions for a nearly a decade.

The Polar Security Cutter’s builder VT Halter Marine teamed up with New Orleans-based...

https://news.usni.org/2019/09/16/polar-security-cutter-fuses-performance-requirements-with-maintenance-needs

Military contracts help keep shipyards in operation

Shipyards that sign military contracts to build for Uncle Sam’s Navy, Coast Guard and even the Army and Air Force usually have a financial leg up over those that don’t. Many such contracts run into the millions of dollars, some into billions of dollars.

The government doesn’t just give these contracts away, however. Shipyards, building in steel or aluminum, have to learn how to deal with the military construction guidelines laid out by the government.

“If you can’t perform on a military contract...

https://www.workboat.com/news/shipbuilding/military-contracts-help-keep-shipyards-in-operation/

VT Halter begins work on third Navy berthing barge

VT Halter Marine, Pascagoula, Miss., has started construction on the third auxiliary personnel lighter – small (APL(S)) for the Navy. The APL(S) is a new class of berthing barges commissioned by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).

VT Halter was awarded a $77.9 million contract to design and build two firm units of the new class of berthing barges in September 2018, with options for another four. The company expects the first two barges to be delivered in the third quarter of 2020, and...

https://www.workboat.com/news/shipbuilding/vt-halter-begins-work-on-third-navy-berthing-barge/

Seattle will be home to USCG’s polar security cutters

The U.S. Coast Guard announced that Seattle will be the home of the service’s three new 460’x88′ polar security cutters. USCG is the nation’s lead agency responsible for providing assured surface access in the polar regions.

The Coast Guard conducted a detailed analysis to identify locations that could accommodate the Polar Security Cutter. Based on operational and logistical needs, Seattle was determined to be the appropriate homeport for the first three Polar Security Cutters. Seattle will...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/seattle-will-be-home-to-uscgs-polar-security-cutters/

VT Halter begins construction on Navy berthing vessels

VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., laid the keel to signify the beginning of construction for the first of two 269’x75.28′ auxiliary personnel lighter — small (APL(S)) berthing barges for the U.S. Navy.

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded VT Halter a $77.9 million contract to design and build two firm units of the new class of berthing barges in September 2018, with options for another four. The first of these four options was exercised in February 2019, bringing the total value of...

https://www.workboat.com/news/shipbuilding/vt-halter-begins-construction-navy-berthing-vessels/

Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter will be Homeported in Seattle

US Heavy Ice Breaker Polar Star (WAGB-10). US Coast Guard Photo

The U.S. Coast Guard’s polar icebreaking fleet will remain based in Seattle after delivery of its new class of heavy icebreakers.

The first of a planned fleet of three heavy icebreakers, called Polar Security Cutters, is expected to deliver in 2023. The Coast Guard’s only working heavy icebreaker, USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10), is based in Seattle. The Coast Guard also has one medium icebreaker, USCGC Healy (WAGB-20).

“I am pleased to...

https://news.usni.org/2019/06/17/seattle-to-be-coast-guard-heavy-icebreaker-fleet-homeport

Coast Guard Hopes to Have 3 Polar Security Cutters Fielded by 2028

A starboard view of the anchored US Coast Guard icebreaker POLAR STAR (WAGB 10).

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – The Coast Guard hopes to have its first three heavy icebreakers fielded by 2027 or 2028 to replace the one icebreaker that is increasingly struggling to make it to Antarctica and back each year and to increase U.S. presence in the high latitudes, the commandant said today.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz said this morning that the icebreaker program – a planned three heavy...

https://news.usni.org/2019/05/06/coast-guard-hopes-to-have-3-polar-security-cutters-fielded-by-2028

Budget Concerns Led Huntington Ingalls to Sit Out Coast Guard Icebreaker Contest

Ingalls Shipbuilding lands the 700-ton deckhouse on the amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) on July 9, 2016. Ingalls Shipbuilding photo.

The U.S. Coast Guard offered industry the potential for a multi-ship, multi-year, multi-billion-dollar program in its heavy icebreaker competition – but funding uncertainties gave some of the nation’s largest shipbuilders cold feet when it came time to bid.

Mike Petters, chief executive of Huntington Ingalls Industries, said his company opted to pass on...

https://news.usni.org/2019/05/02/budget-concerns-led-huntington-ingalls-to-sit-out-coast-guard-icebreaker-contest

VT Halter awarded $746 million icebreaker contract

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star cuts through Antarctic ice in the Ross Sea near a large group of seals as the ship’s crew creates a navigation channel for supply ships, Jan. 16, 2017. USCG photo.

Yesterday, the Coast Guard and Navy awarded VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., a contract for the design and construction of the Coast Guard’s lead polar security cutter (PSC).   

The initial award is valued at $746 million and supports non-recurring engineering and detail design of the PSC class as well as procurement of long lead-time materials and construction of the first ship. The contract also includes options for the construction of two additional PSCs. If all options are...

https://www.workboat.com/news/government/vt-halter-awarded-746-million-icebreaker-contract/

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