FirstWave/Newpark Awarded Trio of Contracts

Providing ship repair, conversion, new construction and related services for barges and other vessels, FirstWave/Newpark Shipbuilding has garnered three new contracts. Pleiades Shipping Agents awarded the company for collision damage repair of 55,000-dwt vessel, MT Nestos. The ship, which sustained damage on its port side near the bow and just above the waterline, underwent repairs at the company's East Pelican Island facility. FirstWave has also been granted a contract by East Boston-based Sterling Equipment for the construction of two 140 x 40 ft. offshore deck barges scheduled for delivery in 1999. In addition, the company will also repair the mat on the Phoenix VI rig for Rio Grande Supply Company. The jack-up rig was loaded on heavy lift barge Boa 16, to make the repairs. The company did recently complete offsite modifications to increase riser storage deck capacity on Global Marine Drilling Company's Arctic I. Work was performed on the rig in the Gulf of Mexico while drilling operations progressed normally.