SPS Tenant Contracts for Barge Building

SPS Limited Partnership LLLP (SPS) of Baltimore, MD and Canton, MA has leased the 1,200 ft. shipbuilding basin (the Graving Dock) located at the Sparrows Point Shipyard/Industrial Complex, Sparrows Point , MD to Senesco Marine, North Kingstown, RI. The lease involves the construction of the barge portion of the ATB, is effective Tuesday, November 15 for a period of approximately 13 months and, according to Senesco Marine representatives, is expected to bring in excess of 120 new employees to the Shipyard. Initial work on the tug portion of the barge took place at Quonset Point Shipyard, North Kingstown, RI, but could not be completed there due to space limitations. The Graving Dock facility at the SPS Shipyard was selected since its design and related facilities easily accommodate this barge-building activity. Once completed, the barge will measure 521 ft. long and 72 ft. wide. For the estimated 13-month term of the project, contractors for U.S. Shipping Partners, L.P. will occupy the entire 1200’ x 200’ Graving Dock, a small suite of office space and approximately 20,000 sf of industrial warehouse space.. Originally established in 1889 by Maryland Steel Company, the Sparrows Point Shipyard has a long history of ship building. In 1917, the yard was bought by Bethlehem Steel, at which point it had built 176 ships, almost all commercial, but including three destroyers and six naval colliers. More recently, the Sparrows Point Shipyard was purchased in March 2004 by SPS. The total site, including riparian rights, is over 225 acres with approximately 1 million sf of buildings and equipment. The site is comprised of over one mile of waterfront and has views of the Harbor and Key Bridge . The site is being made available for a myriad of marine and marine industrial uses, in addition to ship and barge building facilities. Bob Millhauser of Trammel Crow, Baltimore, is acting as leasing representative for the property.