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Port Bienville News

23 Dec 2021

Over $241 Million in MARAD Grants Awarded for US Ports

© Matt Gush / Adobe Stock

More than $241 million in discretionary grant funding has been awarded for projects to improve U.S. port facilities, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced on Thursday.The grants, which will go to 25 projects in 19 states and one territory through the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), are intended to help strengthen America's supply chains to meet heightened demand and help address inflationary pressures, the DOT said.“U.S. maritime ports play a critical role in our supply chains,” said U.S.

02 Jan 2002

Harrah’s Gets New Barge Mounted Casino

Harrah’s recently opened a new barge mounted casino at their Joilet, Illinois property on the Des Plaines River near Chicago. The building on a barge replaces two USCG certified vessels that have been at the facility since 1993, the M/V Northern Star, a cruise-ship type vessel, and M/C Southern Star, a sternwheeler. The barges for the new facility were designed by DeJong & Lebet, Inc. Naval Architects, Jacksonville, Florida. DeJong & Lebet, Inc. also designed the two casino vessels that were replaced by the barge-mounted casino. The casino is mounted on two barges, which were built at Halter Marine in Port Bienville, Miss. Each barge measures approximately 200 x 100 x 16 ft. The barges are constructed of steel, except for the main deck, which is a 10.5 in. thick concrete slab.

24 Jan 2002

Ferries Lead the Way

There are several quick conclusions you can draw about passenger boat construction in the new millennium. First it is a smaller market than 10 years ago with far fewer boats being built today than a decade ago. Secondly almost all of these vessels are built on the east or west coast. There are virtually no passenger boats being built in the south. Third, the number one vessel type being built is the ferryboat and more specifically the all-passenger ferry that shuttles people at 25 knots or better. In the years between 1987 and 1993 shipyards all over the country were building 600-passenger excursion-dinner boats in great numbers as sightseeing and dining vessels on America’s great rivers, lakes and bays became increasingly popular.

22 Apr 2002

VMS To Christen Halter-Built ATB

Crowley Maritime's Vessel Management Services, Inc., will christen the first of four Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels this year in New Orleans on Thursday, April 25. The vessels to be christened are the 9,280-hp tug Sea Reliance and the 155,000-barrel barge 550-1. Intrepid Ship Management, a subsidiary of Marine Transport Lines, will charter the Halter Marine-built ATB from Vessel Management Services and operate it. Marine Transport is a Crowley subsidiary and part of its Contract services segment. "We are looking forward to christening and putting these exceptional new vessels into service for our customer," said Tom Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime.

25 Apr 2002

VMS Christens New ATB

Vessel Management Services, Inc., a Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary, on April 25 christened the first of four Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company will take delivery of this year. The vessels christened were the 9,280-hp tug Sea Reliance and 155,000-barrel barge 550-1. At ceremonies held on the Riverwalk at the New Orleans Hilton, Christine Sande Crowley, wife of Tom Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime, christened the Sea Reliance, and her mother, Linda Engle Sande, christened barge 550-1. Intrepid Ship Management, a subsidiary of Marine Transport Lines, will charter the Halter Marine-built ATB from Vessel Management Services and operate it. Marine Transport is a Crowley subsidiary and part of its contract services segment.

22 May 2002

Bollinger to Acquire Halter Marine

In what amounts to what would be an amazing turn of fortune over a number of years, Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has signed a contract, pursuant to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, to acquire the assets and operations of Halter Marine from Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. Bollinger Shipyards has always been regarded as a well-run builder of quality vessels for the U.S. and foreign markets. However, less than a decade ago, the company was overshadowed by the enormous network of ship and boatyards that was Halter Marine. But Halter, with a mountain of debt and a tight offshore market, fell from the top, in concert with Bollinger's rise.

16 May 2002

First of Two Halter-Built Vessels Christened

Halter Marine, Inc. (HMI), a division of Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. announced the christening of the first of two articulated tug-barges (ATB) for long-time customer-vessel management services, a Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary, and part of its Corporate Services segment. An ATB is built with an articulated pin connection system between the tug and barge that allows movement in the critical area of fore and aft pitch. Christened Sea Reliance, the 9,280 HP tug design is the result of a joint project between Halter Marine and Vessel Management Services. The latest environmental and safety advances, including double-sided construction, along with increased efficiencies in hose handling anchoring, mooring, discharge and loading product are incorporated into the design.

07 Apr 2000

Contracts

Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. announced that it has recently finalized six new contracts with a total value of approximately $40 million. -The Venezuelan government for the construction of two 153-foot LCU-type logistics support vessels. Financing for the project has been secured through the Export-Import Bank and all guarantees have been obtained. Construction for the vessels is anticipated to begin during the second quarter at the company's Moss Point Marine shipyard in Escatawpa, MS and delivery is slated for the fourth quarter of 2001. -Atwood Oceanics for the design and construction of a deepwater mooring system. The 8-point combination traction-winch/windlass mooring system will be installed on the Atwood Eagle…

06 Apr 2000

Friede Goldman Halter Finalizes $40 Million In New Contracts

Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. announced that it has recently finalized six new contracts with a total value of approximately $40 million. · The Venezuelan government for the construction of two 153-foot LCU-type logistics support vessels. Financing for the project has been secured through the Export-Import Bank and all guarantees have been obtained. Construction for the vessels is anticipated to begin during the second quarter at the company's Moss Point Marine shipyard in Escatawpa, MS and delivery is slated for the fourth quarter of 2001. · Atwood Oceanics for the design and construction of a deepwater mooring system. The 8-point combination traction-winch/windlass mooring system will be installed on the Atwood Eagle…

18 Jun 2002

Bollinger to Acquire Halter Marine

In what amounts to what would be an amazing turn of fortune over a number of years, Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has signed a contract, pursuant to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, to acquire the assets and operations of Halter Marine from Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. Bollinger Shipyards has always been regarded as a well-run builder of quality vessels for the U.S. and foreign markets. However, less than a decade ago, the company was overshadowed by the enormous network of ship and boatyards that was Halter Marine. But Halter, with a mountain of debt and a tight offshore market, fell from the top, in concert with Bollinger's rise.

26 Jun 2002

Milestones for the Sale of Halter Marine Established

Friede Goldman Halter, Inc. (FGH) received milestone dates from the U.S Bankruptcy Court regarding the sale of Halter Marine. The Court auction date has been set for July 16th 2002 with the sale hearing to take place on July 23rd 2002. A copy of the procedures for participating in the auction is available from counsel for the Selling Debtors, Douglas G. Walter, Andrews & Kurth, Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton, 600 Travis, Suite 4200, Houston, Texas 77002. The sale contemplates an agreement for the purchase of all the operating assets and properties of Halter, including the assets at Halter Pascagoula, Halter Moss Point, Moss Point Marine, Halter Port Bienville, Halter Lockport, and Halter Gulfport East including the Corporate Headquarters, Gulfport Central and Three Rivers.

11 Sep 2002

Prepping For Duty:High Tech Training for State-of-the-Art ATB

Just one look at the tug Sea Reliance and its companion barge 550-1 shows that Marine Transport Corp., a Crowley Maritime Corporation company, spared no effort to make this ATB (articulated tug barge) and barge a state-of-the-art workboat. Its twin Caterpillar 12-cylinder diesel engines put out a combined total of 9,280 hp allowing for a sustained speed of 12-knots with a full load of 155,000 barrels of petroleum. The barge's cargo-handling systems, with inert gas blanketing and hydraulics, are the equal of most tankers. The technology is matched only by the accommodations and amenities, including single staterooms and private showers, which every crewmember greatly appreciates.

20 Nov 2002

Tug/Barge Units Establish VMS as ATB Leader

The 9,280 hp Ocean Relience is the first of two tugs built by Marinette Marine Corp. for Vessel Management Services (VMS), a Crowley Maritime Co. The vessel is intended to operate as a tug/barge unit in conjunction with the 155,000-barrel tank barge 550-3. Construction engineering for the barge was also accomplished by Schuller & Allan LLC. The connection device is an Intercon Coupling system. Earlier this year, Vessel Management Services, Inc. christened the first of four Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company took in 2002, the 9,280 hp-tug Sea Reliance and 155,000-barrel barge 550-1, built by Halter Marine. The barge 550-1 was built at Halter's Port Bienville shipyard in Pearlington, Miss., and the Sea Reliance at its Moss Point Marine shipyard, in Escatawpa, Miss.

05 May 2000

News

Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with SeaAmerica Cruise Lines, Inc., based in Hollywood, Fla. Under the MOA, LSS and SeaAmerica will develop a ship design leading to contract negotiations for the construction of two 42,000-ton, 1,000-passenger cruise ships. The program will include options for two additional ships. Construction of the ships would utilize both of Litton Ship Systems' production facilities, Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula and Litton Avondale Industries in New Orleans, and would maximize the resources and experience of both shipyards to achieve operating synergies. Accommodations will include 87 percent outside cabins (most with private balconies)…

24 Apr 2003

Feature: VT Halter Marine A Shipbuilding Company Reborn

Boyd E. "Butch" King is a man on a mission. The new CEO of VT Halter Marine, Inc. is rebuilding the shipbuilding company one contract at a time. "Our goal is to reestablish VT Halter Marine's world-wide reputation as a builder of midsize commercial and military vessels," King said from his office in Gulfport, Miss. King is a retired Brigadier General with a 35-year career in the U.S. Army culminating in his appointment as Director of Transportation, Energy and Troop Support on the Army staff. During his Army career, King was in charge of the management and tracking of 12,000 ocean shipping containers worldwide and headed various logistic operations including the shipment of combat equipment in support of operations in Haiti.

08 Nov 2002

Crowley takes lead with “Reliance”

The 9,280 horsepower Ocean Reliance is the first of two tugs built by Marinette Marine Corp. for Vessel Management Services, a Crowley Maritime Co. The vessel is intended to operate as a tug/barge unit in conjunction with the 155,000-barrel tank barge 550-3. Construction engineering for the barge was also accomplished by Schuller & Allan LLC. The connection device is an Intercon Coupling system. Earlier this year, Vessel Management Services, Inc. christened the first of four Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) tank vessels that the company took in 2002, the 9,280-hp tug Sea Reliance and 155,000-barrel barge 550-1, built by Halter Marine. The barge 550-1 was built at Halter's Port Bienville shipyard in Pearlington, Miss., and the Sea Reliance at its Moss Point Marine shipyard, in Escatawpa, Miss.

24 Oct 2002

Vision Technologies Solidifies Halter Marine Acquisition

Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VTS) has completed its asset purchase of Halter Marine, through its subsidiary, VT Halter Marine, Inc. VTS is an integrated engineering group specializing in the fields of marine, aerospace, land systems and electronics. The new company, VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VTHM), will continue to provide products that have made Halter vessels known worldwide. Anil Raj, president and chief operating officer of VT said, “We’re ready to move on to the next challenge of selecting the projects the new company will undertake. VTHM plans to continue the existing design and construction projects for the U.S. Government.

10 Oct 2002

Raj: Halter is Back

Anil Raj, president and COO of Halter Marine, in many ways embodies the company for which he has worked for the last 15 years. Joining as the Director, Engineering, Production Controls and Procurement in 1987, Raj has relied on a solid technical foundation, first to help establish and continue the company's reputation as one of the world's most prolific builders of ships and boats, and second to help the company hang on - to customers as well as key technical and production staff, as the company navigated the tumultuous environs following its Chapter 11 filing of April 2001. Despite well-chronicled skepticism, Halter today sits on the verge of a remarkable rebound that could again make it a ubiquitous presence in both commercial and military marine construction.