VT Halter Marine To Complete Construction of Car Carrier

VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., has signed a $47 million contract with Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines to complete the construction of their car carrier, Jean Anne. VT Halter Marine expects to complete and deliver the vessel in the fourth quarter of 2004. The vessel is the first Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) to be built in the United States. Constructed for the Jones Act trade, it will operate between U.S. Coast ports and Hawaii. Measuring 579 ft. overall, with a beam of 102 ft. and a design draft of 25 ft., the 13,000 deadweight ton PCTC has the capacity to transport more than 4,000 automobiles. Propulsion will be provided by a single propeller driven by a slow-speed diesel engine. VT Halter Marine's CEO, Boyd E. (Butch) King said, "We are pleased that Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines has chosen VT Halter Marine to complete the ship. This project fits well within the company's strategy of pursuing shipbuilding projects for highly sophisticated vessels, in multi-market sectors. It also confirms our commitment to the company's steady and controlled growth. VT Halter Marine is committed to this project and looks forward to its launch." Gen. (Ret.) John G. Coburn, Chairman and CEO of Vision Technologies Systems said, “In addition to making good on our commitment to keep jobs in the local community, we are in the process of adding approximately 200 positions at our Pascagoula, MS operation. Contracts such as this allow us to grow our already strong and capable workforce.”