VT Halter Marine, Inc.
VT Halter Marine, Inc. is a prominent shipbuilding company based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The company specializes in the design, construction, and repair of a wide range of vessels, including commercial ships, military vessels, and specialized marine craft. Here are some key aspects about VT Halter Marine:
History and Background
- Origins: The company was founded as a result of the merger and acquisition of several smaller shipyards and has a history stretching back several decades.
- Ownership: VT Halter Marine is a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems (VT Systems), which is in turn part of ST Engineering, a global engineering group based in Singapore.
Core Services
- Shipbuilding: The company's primary focus is on building new ships. This includes everything from commercial carriers like cargo ships and tankers to military vessels such as patrol boats and auxiliary support ships.
- Repair and Maintenance: VT Halter Marine also provides ship repair and maintenance services, serving both commercial and government clients.
- Design and Engineering: They offer comprehensive design and engineering services to customize ships according to client specifications.
Facilities and Capabilities
- Yards: The company operates multiple shipyard facilities in Mississippi, equipped with modern technologies and infrastructure to handle complex shipbuilding projects.
- Workforce: The company employs a skilled workforce of engineers, designers, and craftsmen.
- Technological Edge: VT Halter Marine utilizes advanced shipbuilding technologies, including computer-aided design (CAD) systems and modular construction techniques.
Market and Clients
- Commercial Market: The firm builds various types of commercial vessels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, offshore supply vessels, and other specialized ships.
- Military Market: VT Halter Marine is also a contractor for the United States Navy and Coast Guard, providing various types of military craft.
- International Clients: In addition to domestic projects, the company serves a variety of international clients.
Notable Projects and Achievements
- Defense Contracts: VT Halter Marine has been awarded several significant contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense, including projects to build Polar Security Cutters (icebreakers) for the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Commercial Ventures: The company has constructed various offshore and subsea vessels that serve the energy and oil industries.
Strategic Direction
- Innovation: VT Halter Marine places a strong emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement in shipbuilding practices.
- Sustainability: The company also focuses on sustainable practices and solutions, recognizing the growing importance of environmental stewardship in the maritime industry.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Economic Factors: Like many shipbuilders, VT Halter Marine faces challenges related to economic fluctuations, including changes in defense budgets and variations in demand for commercial shipping.
- Technological Advances: The company is continually adapting to technological advancements in shipbuilding, including automation and the use of new materials.
Overall, VT Halter Marine, Inc. is a key player in the American shipbuilding industry with a robust portfolio and a commitment to quality, innovation, and client satisfaction.
- Phone: 228 696 6888
- Web: www.vthaltermarine.com
- Fax: 228 696 6982
Locations
VT Halter Marine News
Bollinger to Acquire VT Halter Marine
Lockport, La. based Bollinger Shipyards announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder VT Halter Marine, Inc. and neighboring repair yard ST Engineering Halter Marine Offshore (STEHMO) from parent company ST Engineering North America, the U.S. subsidiary of Singaporean multinational technology, defense and engineering group ST Engineering.The transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022…
2022 US Shipbuilding Report
It’s a common story in the U.S. shipbuilding industry today. A piece of equipment that used to be available for delivery on short notice—maybe in one or two weeks—now must be ordered months or more in advance, and it costs double. Add to this rising steel prices and the labor issues that have pervaded nearly all industrial sectors since the early days of the pandemic, and it’s clear that business is far from usual for American shipyards.Bollinger Shipyards president and CEO…
Halter Marine Awarded Contract for Second USCG Polar Security Cutter
Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine has been awarded a contract to build a second U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.The $552.7 million detail design and construction contract follows a $745.9 million contract awarded in 2019 to build the first PSC. There is also an option for a third PSC.The Polar Security Cutter program is planned to replace the Coast Guard's existing fleet of icebreakers.
Halter Marine Wins Deal to Build US Navy Oceanographic Survey Ship
Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine announced on Thursday it has been awarded a $149 million contract for the detail design and construction of an oceanographic survey ship (T-AGS 67) for the U.S. Navy.“This contract continues the momentum and growth of Halter Marine by adding a third government program to its shipyard along with the Polar Security Cutter and Auxiliary Personnel Lighter-Small programs.
Halter Marine to Build Fifth U.S. Navy Berthing Barge
U.S.-based Halter Marine, an ST Engineering North America company, has been awarded a contract option for the U.S. Navy’s fifth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge. APLs are used by the Navy to house crewmembers when ships are in port for availabilities and Inter-Deployment Training Cycles. The barges are mobile and can be towed to new bases or shipyards to…
Shipbuilder Halter Marine Orders Inrotech Welding Robots
A set of welding robots will help Halter Marine to improve productivity as it ramps up to build the U.S. Coast Guard’s new Polar Security Cutter (PSC).Denmark-based Inrotech said it will deliver its Inrotech-MicroTwin, Inrotech-Classic and Inrotech-Crawler to the the Pascagoula, Miss. shipyard in early 2021.Inrotech’s automated robot welding solution is customized according to Halter Marine’s production…
Halter Marine Upgrades Launch Way for Polar Security Cutter Build
Gearing up to build the U.S.' first new heavy icebreaker in decades, Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine said it is upgrading the launch way area where the U.S. Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter (PSC) will be constructed.The detailed design phase is "rapidly progressing", the shipbuilder said, and the 460-foot icebreaker is the heaviest vessel per foot of length that Halter Marine has constructed.
Halter Marine, Gibbs & Cox Partner on US Navy's Large Unmanned Surface Vessel
Shipbuilder Halter Marine is teaming with naval architecture firm Gibbs & Cox, Inc., on the U.S. Navy’s contract to perform design studies for the development of…
Halter Marine Gearing Up for Icebreaker Build with New Plasma Cutter
Halter Marine unveiled its new PythonX plasma cutter as the Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder adds new equipment to gear up for construction of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter (PSC).The newly acquired Lincoln Electric PythonX will allow for steel parts to be cut via computerized numeric control (CNC) driven by the yard's 3D production design models, taking the place of the traditional hand-cut method.
US Shipyards: Always on the Job Hunt
American shipyards form an important economic engine, supporting nearly 400,000 jobs, $25.1 billion of labor income and $37.3 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), according to figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).It’s a good thing, then, that U.S. shipyards were deemed essential businesses amid COVID-19 and have remained up and running throughout the pandemic.
Interview: Bob Merchent, CEO, Halter Marine
Please describe your professional background and what attracted you to your current position.In June 2020, I was named president and chief executive officer of Halter Marine. I had been retired around six years. My wife and I bought a piece of property outside of Brookhaven, Miss., and we were enjoying retired life split between our country property and our home in Gautier, Miss. Earlier this year…
Halter Marine Partners with Local College to Launch Apprenticeship Program
Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine is creating jobs, and through its partnership with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), training the apprentices to fill them. The recently launched apprenticeship program is designed in three components: on-the-job training, classroom training and a progressive wage increase as participants reach set milestones. It offers training in the craft labor fields of welding, ship fitting, pipe fitting, pipe welding and electrical.
New LNG ATB Bunker Vessel is a US First
Bunkering ports around the world have long used a variety of small tankers or tug and barge combinations to deliver fuel to visiting ships. Mostly this was heavy oil, but recently a new breed of bunkering vessels is emerging to deliver clean burning liquefied natural gas (LNG) to modern ships with dual-fuel capabilities.The fall of 2020 will see a new addition to this fleet servicing ships in Florida and the Caribbean.
Halter Marine Wins US Navy Contract for the T-AGOS Program
Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine Inc. said Monday it has been awarded a contract for industrial studies for the auxiliary general ocean surveillance ship (T-AGOS(X)) program.The U.S. Navy awarded the $981,000 contract for the T-AGOS class series of vessels, which ultimately will replace the existing fleet of four T-AGOS 19 and one T-AGOS 23 small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) ships, which are reaching the end of their service lives.
Halter Marine Launches US Navy Berthing Barge
Over the course of several days, Halter Marine Inc. celebrated multiple milestones on the Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) program. The Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder launched the first two berthing barges, erected modules on the third barge and laid the keel on the fourth barge.In September 2018, the company received the initial contract to design and build two units, with options for four additional units.
Merchent Named CEO of VT Halter Marine
ST Engineering North America, Inc. announced Monday that Robert "Bob" L. Merchent has been named President and CEO of VT Halter Marine, Inc. He replaces outgoing President and CEO, Ron Baczkowski.Much of Merchent's career was spent at Ingalls Shipbuilding, where he advanced through multiple positions of ever-increasing responsibility, leading programs critical to both the business and the U.S. Navy, culminating his career there as the Vice President, Surface Combatants, Fleet Services and U.S.
Halter Marine Cuts Steel for US Navy Berthing Barge
Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder VT Halter Marine Inc., a company of ST Engineering North America, said it has cut first steel for the fourth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter…
US Shipyards Forge Ahead Through COVID-19
As the novel coronavirus and its impacts continue to spread across America, U.S. shipbuilders, by and large, continue to build. While most yards have been deemed essential to marine transportation and/or national security and have been able to maintain operations, the situation at and around every shipyard is different, and there are several builders across the country that have had to temporarily suspend activity.
VT Halter to Build Additional US Navy Barge
VT Halter Marine said it has been awarded a contract option for the U.S. Navy’s fourth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge. The contract award is $39,906,609 for a firm, fixed-price option for the detail design and construction of the vessel.The Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder has been up and running throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and is currently constructing the first three APLs.
MacGregor to Equip USCG Polar Security Cutter
Marine equipment supplier MacGregor said it has received an order from shipbuilder VT Halter Marine to supply deck machinery and cargo handling equipment to the U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program. The order is booked into Cargotec’s fourth quarter 2019 order intake, with delivery planned to take place in the third quarter of 2021.According to MacGregor, the Scope of supply comprises anchor windlass…
