Laborde Marine Get Necessary Finance for Expansion
GE Capital, Corporate Finance has announced that it provided US$22.5-million in equipment financing to Laborde Marine. The funds refinance existing debt used to purchase five new crew boats. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in New Orleans, LA, Laborde Marine is a privately held supplier that provides marine support to the offshore oil and gas industry internationally. They operate more than 20 vessels in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and have two international offices in Brazil. “GE Capital delivered the financing we need to fund the ongoing expansion of our fleet and customer base,” said Cliffe Laborde, managing member of Laborde Marine.
Offshore Vessel Operators Suffer As Gulf Oil Output Sags
As seen in the August edition of MarineNews, Susan Buchanan updates readers on the GOM oil production situation. BP's gushing well was capped more than a year ago but life is hardly back to normal in the U.S. Gulf--where rigs and vessels remain underutilized. At least ten rigs have moved overseas since last summer. Gulf oil production is below pre-spill levels and won't recover anytime soon, analysts say. Issuance of drilling permits picked up this spring as operators agreed to use oil-containment systems but permitting lags earlier rates.
VT Halter Appoints Laborde Board Director
VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announced the appointment of Cliffe F. Laborde to its Board of Directors. Laborde is owner and co-manager of Laborde Marine Services, LLC and Laborde Brothers Crewboats, LLC. These companies own and operate platform supply vessels and crewboats that service the offshore energy sector. Laborde previously held the position of Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary to Tidewater, Inc. until June 2007. Prior to his appointment at Tidewater, Laborde was one of four founding partners of the firm Gelpi, Sullivan, Carroll & Laborde, where his practice primarily involved maritime defense litigation.
