Chouest confirms acquisition of Tampa Shipyard

Edison Chouest Offshore has assumed management and operation of its recently acquired Tampa Bay Shipbuilding and Repair, now known as Tampa Ship LLC.

yard. The Tampa shipyard is a full service conversion, overhaul and repair facility that was previously owned by a group associated with Mobile, Alabama-based Bender Shipbuilding and Repair.

The shipyard is the only commercial shipyard equipped with four large graving docks (capable of servicing ships up to 150,000dwt) and extensive crane facilities between Pascagoula, MS and Hampton Roads, VA.

“Tampa Ship provides us more capacity for new construction and the repair of much larger vessels,” said President Gary Chouest. “Now that we have closed on the purchase, we are looking forward to construction on our first new vessel this month.”

Chouest also stressed the commitment to furthering the shipyard?s commercial repair and dry-docking services in support of the maritime industry.

Although the shipyard specialized in recent years in performing repairs and overhauls, Chouest has agreed to assist in the phase out of a new construction deal with Bender.

The previous owner has been building three large barges for Overseas Shipholding Group; Chouest will assist in completing that deal, slated for a late 2009 delivery.

“This is the premier location on the Gulf Coast and we needed more shipbuilding capacity with better depths available,” said Chouest. He also committed to the port authority that Tampa Ship will dredge slips within the facility to a 30ft depth. The yard is directly accessible to the Gulf of Mexico via a 43ft deep channel and covers in excess of 60 acres and also features two massive transporters, a 600ft assembly building, lifting units and crawler cranes. The facility is served by a railway system and is located only minutes away from interstates and the Tampa International Airport.

In addition, Chouest is currently reviewing plans to modernize the shipyard and, in regards to the current workforce of 500, remains committed to growing and developing that group of workers.