subject: Strengthen U.s. Shipyard Competitiveness [print this page] Recently the U.SRecently the U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $9.98 million in grants to 15 small shipyards throughout the United States to pay for modernizations that will increase productivity and help the countrys small shipyards compete in the global marketplace.
For example LEEVAC Shipyards, LLC (Jennings, Louisiana) - will use a $667,324 grant to purchase a pipe and tube bending system that will bend pipes to the correct geometry required, eliminating the need to weld pipe sections by hand.
LEEVAC has more than 130,000 square feet of covered fabrication shops, there are virtually no weather delays to hold up your project. And with the latest equipment available in our shops, we are able to proficiently build the high quality panels and modules that drive both our production line and automated pipe shop. Once the modules are built, our 200 ton module transporter allows us to lift and move units quickly and safely throughout the yard.
In cities and towns across America, shipyards are creating jobs and keeping our nation's economy growing," said Secretary LaHood. "These small shipyard grants reflect the Obama administration's commitment to strengthening our transportation systems and creating an economy that's built to last."
The U.S Maritime Administrations (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grants Program provides equipment and technical skills training for Americas maritime workforce, helping these businesses compete in the global marketplace while creating well-paying jobs at home.
They will provide new tools and equipment to help maritime businesses sustain and create good American jobs through increased productivity and efficiency, said U.S. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda. These federal investments will fund shipyard essentials.
MARAD received 141 grant applications requesting $123 million in assistance. The grants fund a variety of projects, including infrastructure improvements and modernizing equipment to increase the efficiency, competitive operations, and quality construction of vessels in U.S. shipyards.
In September 2010, LEEVAC opened another Louisiana vessel repair facility located on nine acres in Lake Charles, Louisiana in the Port of Lake Charles LNG plant turning basin. This facility, known formally as LEEVAC Shipyards Lake Charles, LLC, allows us to better meet the vessel repair and conversion needs of our customers. Located 17 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, our Lake Charles yard has no restrictions coming from the Gulf, with all deepwater access including deepwater at the docks. The ship repair facility features more than 11,000 feet of waterfront, plus a 3,500-ton floating drydock measuring 300 feet long and 64 feet between wing walls. Focused on topside repair and drydocking, our Lake Charles facility also provides two cranes with a capacity of 165 tons, full support equipment and available potable water. The vessel repair facility also features a yard that is 100% concrete and asphalt.
There are a number of shipbuilding facilities throughout the Gulf Coast region but the facilities at LEEVAC are second to none. From our well-equipped CAD engineering department to our state-of-the-art indoor fabrication shops complete with an automated NC cutting table, panel line, CNC pipe fabricator we provide everything needed to get the job done quickly, efficiently and safely.
Troy Skeleton, vice president of operations, tells The American Press the money will be used to buy two pipe-bending machines and about 10-15 jobs will be created to help operate the machines.
