Ingalls Selects Joiner Team For AMCV Ships

Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Litton Ship Systems has selected Hopeman Brothers Marine Interiors and Jamestown Metal as the joiner subcontractors for American Classic Voyages' (AMCV's) United States Lines newbuilds. The shared subcontract is valued at more than $200 million. The two companies, who in the past have been head-to-head competitors have teamed up to construct all cabins, as well as all public spaces onboard each of the 72,000-grt, 1,900-passenger vessels, which are currently being constructed at Litton's Pascagoula, Miss. yard. The cruise vessels, which are the first to be built on U.S. soil in more than 40 years, will offer excursions to the U.S. Hawaiian Islands beginning in 2003. With fabrication on the first U.S. Lines vessel commencing at Ingalls on July 3, 2000, Hopeman Brothers and Jamestown Metal will be constructing approximately 35 cabins per week at peak production.