Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, Inc.—a manufacturer of a variety of ocean-going and inland marine vessels for commercial and military markets as well as the Trinity Yachts brand— announced signed a three-year lease with one-year options with the Port of Gulfport.
Specifically, Gulf Coast Shipyard Group will use 400 linear ft of dock space on the Port’s East Pier and 15,000sq ft of warehouse space to outfit the dual fuel LNG powered vessels it is building for Harvey Gulf International Marine.
Port of Gulfport is undergoing a US $570 million restoration and is about 18 months from completion.
“It is important to note that the vessels, powered by LNG fuel, will have reduced emissions and fit in well with the Port’s newly approved Green Marine initiative,” Jonathan Daniels, executive director and CEO of the Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) said.
The Port has undertaken an aggressive effort to recruit new tenants since Daniels took the helm at the MSPA in June of 2013. Daniels said he expected the deal with Gulf Coast Shipyard Group to be the first successful conclusion of several lease discussions the Port currently has underway.
“We envision having 20-70 workers on the port while completing each vessel,” John Dane III, president of Gulf Coast Shipyard Group said. “These will be trade jobs—painters, electricians, carpenters, mechanics—some of whom will be Gulf Coast Shipyard Group employees and some of whom will be employed by our subcontractors and suppliers.”
Gulf Coast Shipyard expects the first vessel to be at the Port of Gulfport in mid-March.