USA: BAE Systems Exhibits at Offshore Technology Conference

BAE Systems will showcase a range of shipbuilding and repair capabilities for commercial customers at the 2012 Offshore Technology Conference, April 30 – May 3 at the Reliant Center in Houston.

With more than 5,000 experienced project managers and highly skilled tradespeople, BAE Systems has logged millions of man-hours with proven success in dry-dock and pier-side construction, maintenance, repair, overhaul and conversion of a full spectrum of vessels.

Recently, BAE Systems teamed with Mid Ocean Tanker Company to complete, launch and deliver the American Phoenix, a U.S. Flag/Jones Act-qualified product chemical tanker. Measuring 616 feet long and 105 feet wide, it is the largest vessel ever launched from the State of Alabama. It has a draft of 36 feet and a cargo capacity of 49,000 dwt.

BAE Systems has also been selected by Weeks Marine, Inc. to build an 8,500-cubic-yard capacity twin screw trailing suction hopper dredge of IHC Merwede design. Upon completion, the dredge will be 356 feet long, 79 feet wide with a draft of 27 feet.

This will be a state-of-the art trailing suction hopper dredge and the first designed by IHC Merwede to be built in the United States. IHC Merwede, located in The Netherlands, is a world leader in the design and construction of advanced dredging equipment.

Gibbs & Cox, one of nation’s leading independent naval architecture and engineering firms, will provide functional engineering and detailed production support during dredge construction.

Director and General Manager of BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Alabama, Victor Rhoades, said:

“This is an exciting and positive opportunity for us. The Weeks Marine team has done a terrific job of working with us through the many details necessary to get a project like this put together. Award of the dredge is strategically important to our efforts to become an innovative leader in the commercial new construction market. We are very fortunate to have Weeks Marine, IHC Merwede and Gibbs & Cox as the key participants in completing the project. The production engineering and material procurement process will begin immediately followed by the initial cutting of steel starting in early 2012. Delivery is scheduled for January 2014. In Mobile, we anticipate this contract will lead to an additional 150 jobs at the facility over the life of the contract.”

Senior Vice President and Division Manager of Weeks Marine, Eric Ellefsen, said:

“We pride ourselves in being a leader in the dredging industry. We are dedicated to building and operating the most technologically advanced and environmentally sensitive equipment in the marketplace and are pleased to engage in this project partnered with BAE Systems and IHC Merwede. The expansion of our dredging fleet demonstrates Weeks Marine’s commitment to better serving our customer base and enhancing the overall capabilities and capacity of the U.S. dredging industry. When completed, this vessel will create over 35 permanent full-time jobs in the U.S. marketplace.”

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Dredging Today Staff, April 29, 2012; Image: Weeks Marine Inc