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?2013 looks promising for the U.S. shipbuilding market overall, with order books lling for new-generation, platform supply vessels and support vessels, as well as OPA 1990 tank barges and support tugs.? Certain vessels must comply with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, intended to prevent spills after Alaska?s 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. Bollinger said the company?s ?new construction activity will continue with a backlog of activity for both our government programs and our commercial activity. Our Lockport facility continues to progress with our U.S. Coast Guard contract to build eighteen fast-response cutters, with options on up to 34 of these cutters. Backlogs at our other facilities exist for several tugboats, sludge ships, large PSVs and barges.? The company is evaluating new opportunities to build offshore vessels, dredgers, tugs, barges and government boats. He added, ?Our eight repair facilities continue to successfully pursue regulatory repairs for a diverse customer base. ?Recently, we were awarded major conversions for a eet of six PSVs. We anticipate a strong year for our repair group, and we?re looking to expand our footprint in Port Fourchon, and other key locations.? Bollinger said to meet current and future demand, the company is focused on developing skilled workers. ?We grow our most important resources by training and educating our workforce, both on and off the job,? he said. ?Our Quality, Safety, and Environmental programs are essential to our day- to-day business, and we continue to improve these systems to make sure we get them right. Our employees, along with our subcontractors and vendors, are the company?s heartbeat, and their safety is paramount to our success.? CHOUEST BUILDS DEEPWATER OSVSEdison Chouest Offshore or ECO in Cut Off, La. will continue its aggressive new-build campaign in 2013. ECO, which has 25 vessels under construction worldwide, said in September it would build an additional eight, Jones Act-class, deepwater OSVs for delivery within 24 months. Hulls 14-21 in that series of 300? class OSVs are in early- construction stages, with steel and equipment having been ordered. Those eight builds will take place at four Chouest af liate yards on the Gulf ? North American Shipbuilding in Larose, La., La Ship in Houma, La., Gulf Ship in Gulfport, Ms. and Tampa Ship in Tampa, Fl. The eight builds will be on speculation because the company has enough con dence in the market and state of the industry to start construction before customers have signed on the dotted line. B. No. 250 delivered from Bollinger Marine Fabricators, Amelia La.(Photo courtesy of Bollinger) www.marinelink.com MN 29MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 29MN Jan2013 Layout 18-31.indd 291/2/2013 2:27:00 PM1/2/2013 2:27:00 PM
