Gulf Coast Shipyard Group (GCSG), a manufacturer of a variety of ocean-going and inland marine vessels for commercial and military markets as well as the Trinity Yachts brand, announced yesterday its expansion by signing a three-year lease with one-year options with the Port of Gulfport.
Specifically, Gulf Coast Shipyard Group will use 400 linear feet of dock space on the Port’s East Pier and 15,000 square feet of warehouse space to outfit the dual fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered vessels it is building for Harvey Gulf International Marine.
John Dane III, president of Gulf Coast Shipyard Group , said: “ We are pleased to work with the Port of Gulfport and grow our business in Mississippi. We’ve worked together in the past on a smaller scale and look forward to this expanded relationship.”
The Port of Gulfport is undergoing a $570 million restoration and is roughly 18 months from completion. “ We’re excited about doing business with Gulf Coast Shipyard Group and welcome the new business opportunities and jobs they will bring to the Port of Gulfport,” says Jonathan Daniels, executive director and CEO of the Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) , continuing, “ It is important to note that the vessels, powered by LNG fuel, will have reduced emissions and fit in well with the Port’s newly approved Green Marine initiative.”
The Port has undertaken an aggressive effort to recruit new tenants since Daniels took the helm at the MSPA in June of 2013. Daniels said he expected the deal with Gulf Coast Shipyard Group to be the first successful conclusion of several lease discussions the Port currently has underway.
“We envision having 20-70 workers on the Port while completing each vessel, ” said Dane. “ These will be trade jobs—painters, electricians, carpenters, mechanics—some of whom will be Gulf Coast Shipyard Group employees and some of whom will be employed by our subcontractors and suppliers.”
Gulf Coast Shipyard expects the first vessel to be at the Port of Gulfport in mid-March.
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Press Release, January 23, 2014