SHIPBUILDING REPORT
VT Halter
Photo: VT Halter
VT Halter Marine was recently awarded a contract option to build the U.S. Navy’s fourth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge.
Metal Shark
Photo: Metal Shark
Among the many projects underway at Metal Shark’s yards is a series of newbuilds for NYC Ferry.
U.S. Shipyards Forge Ahead Through COVID-19 By Eric Haun
A
s 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. In either scenario, it’s far from business as usual for America’s shipbuilders who will be forced to navigate new waters in the months ahead. Full disclosure: the information in this report is subject to 36 MN
change as situations rapidly develop. Nearly all news surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is fast-moving, and statuses are likely to shift – and maybe even shift again – from the time this article is being written to the time this magazine prints. Hectic, fluid and crazy are some of the words used by shipyard representatives when asked about the work situations at their facilities amid the coronavirus outbreak. But all tell Marine News they are diligently monitoring the situation and will adjust as necessary to ensure workers and their communities remain safe and healthy. Marcia Blount, president of Blount Boats in Rhode Island, April 2020
