Two Ships to Leave James River Fleet

International Shipbreaking Limited (ISL) of Brownsville, TX, was awarded contracts for removing two ships from the James River Reserve Fleet at Fort Eustis, VA, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced today.

“These contracts are further evidence of our commitment to reduce the number of obsolete ships in our fleet as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible,” said Acting Maritime Administrator John Jamian.

“These important contracts continue MARAD’s successful scrapping program aimed at removing the most seriously deteriorated ships in the James River Fleet. This work is absolutely essential to protect the James and surrounding communities,” said Senator John Warner.

The ISL contracts will bring to 16 the number of ships removed from the James River for disposal since August 2004. Forty-three ships have left since January 2001.

ISL was awarded a $399,726 contract to dismantle the Albert J. Meyer, and a $398,601 contract to dismantle the Neptune, both obsolete cable-repair ships. Under the terms of the contracts, ISL must tow the Meyer from the Fort Eustis facility within 30 days, and the Neptune within 60 days. The James River Reserve Fleet is one of three National Defense Reserve Fleets (NDRF) anchorage sites. MARAD maintains the NDRF as a reserve of ships for national defense and national emergencies and arranges for responsible disposal when the ships are no longer considered viable for those purposes.