Eastern Shipbuilding contracted to build suction hopper dredge ATB unit for GLDD

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC (GLDD) signed a contract for the construction of a new Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge ATB Unit consisting of a 433’ Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge and 158’-4” 15,600 BHP, CPP Tug at Eastern’s Panama City, Florida facilities, the shipbuilding group said Monday in a press release.

“Great Lakes has become our newest client; this Dredge Barge ATB Unit, a new construction project, continues our commitment and long history of being a successful diversified shipbuilder in the marine industry. Eastern will continue to grow its facilities along with its strong workforce of men and women who are always eager for the next new construction, conversion or repair challenge.”
 
Named the GLDD302 (ESG Hull 252), the ATB Tug detailed engineering is being performed by Ship’s Architect, Inc. and the GLDD151 (ESG Hull 253), the ATB Dredge Barge by Bay Engineering, Inc. Both are the based upon an Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering, Inc. ATB design. This Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge, Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB) Unit, will be delivered in 2016.

The two state-of-the-art vessels will complay the Jones Act requirements.
 
The Great Lakes dredge will be a key tool in performing the restoration of the eroded land mass in the Gulf Coast States. Additionally, the vessel’s ability to cost-effectively deepen and maintain navigable waterways will bolster the United States’ competitive position in world trade, as the nation’s ports move forward with deepening plans to accommodate the larger vessels, which will sail through the expanded Panama Canal.
 
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States and the only U.S. dredging company with significant international operations. Great Lakes Dredge also owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. industry, comprised of over 200 specialized vessels.