Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has announced plans to acquire VT Halter Marine, Inc. and ST Engineering Halter Marine Offshore.
The transaction is expected to amplify Bollinger’s repair and construction capacity and capabilities, further benefiting its defense and industrial customers.
Bollinger’s acquisition would see the transfer of ongoing projects at ST Engineering, such as the US Navy Auxiliary Personnel Lighter-Small program and US Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter program.
The acquisition comprises a 378-acre site with two shipyards at Pascagoula and another two yards north of the city. The facilities will be renamed Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding and Bollinger Mississippi Repair.
The Pascagoula facilities have direct, deep-water access to the Gulf of Mexico and are located in a foreign trade zone.
“The addition of VT Halter Marine and STEHMO in Pascagoula, Mississippi is strategic as it further strengthens our position in the industry and US defense industrial base by allowing Bollinger to expand our footprint, capabilities and suite of innovative solutions that we can provide to our customers,” Bollinger Shipyards CEO and President Ben Bordelon said.
“From Day One, the Bollinger team will leverage our proven and best-in-class management team, operational excellence and existing capability to ongoing commercial and government programs, especially the Polar Security Cutter program.”
Expanding Legacy
According to Bollinger, the acquisition and the company’s existing facilities in Lockport, Louisiana, “will be able to support further efficiencies and resolution of any potential capacity constraints” in military programs.
“Bollinger takes great pride in being a major job creator in Louisiana. Today, we’re excited to grow and expand that legacy to Mississippi’s Gulf Coast,” Bordelon explained.
“By combining our skilled workforces, we’ll ensure coastal Mississippi remains synonymous with defense shipbuilding and remains a major part of our industrial base.”
Bollinger in Other US Military Projects
Bollinger also works on projects for the US military, including the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter program for the US Coast Guard, Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessel, and Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships programs for the US Navy.
The company also has two ongoing agreements with General Dynamics Electric Boat to develop a 618×140-foot (188x 43-meter) floating dry dock and a 496×95-foot (151×29-meter) pontoon launcher for the US Navy’s future Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines.
Bollinger is also engaged in research for US Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle and Light Amphibious Warship programs.