VT Halter Tapped to Build Two Tugs

VT Halter Marine Inc signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to design and build two harbor tugs.

The 30-m Voith Tractor Tugs will be built at VT Halter Marine’s Jackson County, Miss., shipyards with completion scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2005. The two tugs, valued at approximately $18 m, will have all the necessary capabilities to manage and respond to maritime distress. Voith Tractor Tugs have propulsion systems that combine propulsion and steering into a single unit, providing 360 degrees of maneuverability.

The tugs will be designed and constructed to comply with the rules and regulations of ABS as well as all applicable international regulations. VT Halter Marine will modify existing designs and apply construction techniques used for similar tugs previously built at VT Halter Marine’s shipyards. “VT Halter Marine is well suited to execute this project because of our capability and extensive experience in the construction of tractor tugs. Lockheed Martin’s selection of VT Halter Marine is an indication of the recognition within the industry of our versatility and ability to build vessels for a wide variety of uses and markets,” said Boyd E. King, CEO, VT Halter Marine.

VT Halter Marine Inc., based in Pascagoula, MS, is a leader in the design and construction of medium-sized ships in the United States. VT Halter Marine designs, builds and repairs a wide variety of ocean-going vessels such as patrol vessels, oil recovery vessels, oil cargo vessels, ferries, logistic support vessels and research ships. It is a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc. (VTS), a provider of integrated engineering solutions, specializing in the fields of aerospace, electronics, land systems, and marine. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, VTS has locations throughout North America. VTS offers a broad range of proven innovative services to both the commercial and government sectors. VTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering.