VT Halter Marine Inc., has signed a contract with Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, valued at approximately $47 million, to complete the construction of their car carrier, Jean Anne. VT Halter Marine expects to complete and deliver the vessel in the fourth quarter of 2004.
The vessel is the first Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) to be built in the United States. Constructed for the Jones Act trade, it will operate between U.S.
Coast ports and
Hawaii. Measuring 579 ft. overall, with a beam of 102 ft. and a design draft of 25
Ft., the 13,000 deadweight ton PCTC has the capacity to transport more than 4,000 automobiles. Propulsion will be provided by a single propeller driven by a slow-speed diesel engine.
VT Halter Marine's CEO, Boyd E. (Butch) King said, "We are pleased
that Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines has chosen VT Halter Marine to complete the ship. This project fits well within the company's strategy of pursuing shipbuilding projects for highly sophisticated
vessels, in multi-market sectors. It also confirms our commitment to the company's
steady and controlled growth. VT Halter Marine is committed to this project and looks
forward to its launch."
"We are confident that VT Halter Marine will apply its experience, skill and technical
expertise to our advantage. The project is based on a solid and mutually beneficial
partnership," stated Mr. George Pasha IV, President & Chief Operating Officer of Pasha
Hawaii Transport Lines.
Gen. (Ret.) John G. Coburn, Chairman and CEO of Vision Technologies Systems said,
“In addition to making good on our commitment to keep jobs in the local community, we
are in the process of adding approximately 200 positions at our Pascagoula, MS
operation. Contracts such as this allow us to grow our already strong and capable.