New Orleans-based Harvey Gulf International Marine (HGIM) is entering shipbuilding business via a new affiliate named Harvey Shipyard Group.
To this end, the newly-launched shipbuilding arm Harvey Shipyard Group is acquiring Gulf Coast Shipyard (Gulfport, Miss.) and Trinity Yachts (New Orleans, La.).
“These shipyard acquisitions will position Harvey Gulf as America’s only builder, owner and operator of dual-fuel (diesel/LNG) offshore supply vessels and allow us to pass along the savings of lower operating costs and environmental protection to the marine transportation industry,” said HGIM Chairman and CEO Shane J. Guidry .
The Gulf Coast Shipyard has a considerable experience in the field as it has built the first US LNG OSV, Harvey Energy, which was put into service this May.
Two more LNG-fuelled Harvey Gulf vessels are expected to follow in the next couple of years under a deal that includes eight units.
“The duel-fuel vessels we’re building and our LNG bunkering facility are indicative of HGIM’s commitment to develop and utilize the safest, most environmentally-friendly vessels and fuel technology available today, ” said Guidry.
Harvey Gulf plans to open the first LNG marine fueling facility in the United States this July, to be located at its vessel facility in Port Fourchon, Louisiana.
HGIM’s USD 25 million Phase I construction will be capable of fueling Harvey Gulf’s fleet of dual-fuel offshore supply vessels and will accommodate America’s growing fleet of over-the-road LNG-powered vehicles.