American Construction News

Dredging of the Rogue River at Gold Beach, Ore. is scheduled to begin in June, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.In March, Army officials announced the Corps had awarded a $5.3 million contract to Tacoma, Wash.-based American Construction for the dredging operations. Corps staff anticipates dredging will run from June 1 through October 31, depending on weather.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains navigation channels along the Oregon coast and dredging is an important component of keeping the Rogue River Harbor open for recreational vessels…

Kvaerner North American Construction Inc. (a subsidiary of Kvaerner) has executed agreements today, with each of Longview Power, LLC, Siemens Energy Inc. and others regarding the disputes between them in both the arbitration proceedings concerning the Longview Project and the subsequent bankruptcy cases of Longview Power, LLC. Under the agreements, Kvaerner North American Construction Inc. will receive an aggregate amount of USD 48 million from various parties. In consideration, Kvaerner North American Construction Inc. will settle certain claims and release the Mechanics' Liens filed against the Longview power plant properties in Maidsville, West Virginia, and will waive all objections in the ongoing Longview Power, LLC bankruptcy proceedings.

Vigor Industrial has emerged as a leading consolidator of shipbuilding prowess on the U.S. West Coast, and the company continues to invest in new capability and infrastructure. “Over the past year there has been a marked increase in vessel fabrication opportunities of all kinds, including for ferries, tugs, barges, and fishing vessels,” said Vince Piscitello, VP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development. Earlier this year Vigor signed an agreement to build the largest floating drydock in the United States, and construction is currently underway.

Increase the Naval Shipbuilding Rate to Maintain a Navy: The Bush Administration’s 5-year shipbuilding plan will drop the force to 244 ships. The first installment in the process of restoring the Navy’s fleet to the bare bones minimum, defined in the 2001 QDR, is to add one DDG-51 destroyer, one LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ship, complete the purchase of the LHD-8 amphibious assault ship, and add advanced procurement dollars for an economic order quantity production of the Virginia Class Submarine in FY 2003. “Tax on Delivery” of Naval Ships: H.R. 2189/S.666 will correct an inequity in the Tax code that severely penalizes naval shipbuilders by strengthening the shipbuilding industry’s cash flow to allow for greater investment in facilities…