Page 14: of Marine News Magazine (April 2020)

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).3)'(43 equipment, along with the offshore wind possibilities. what are the project’s top challenges?

The maturity of this product’s use and understanding of

What is your number one most pressing challenge at the the product’s bunkering and transporting are fascinating, and moment, and what’s being done to address it?

we’re learning fast. LNG has been more widely used in Eu- ropean countries for many years, but is relatively new in the With labor markets tight all over the country, the shipbuild-

U.S. as it pertains to marine use. Regulatory approvals and ing industry is facing the same pressures as all of manufactur- equipment lead times have also been challenging. ing: skilled workforce. We are investing in training programs, youth apprenticeship programs and advertising our positive image in the marketplace.

Do you expect to win more LNG-related projects in the future?

How else is Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding investing today?

We do expect to be in the mix for future LNG projects.

And as a matter of fact, several projects are now being con- We are always looking to invest in our facility and people to templated as the industry and distribution avenues mature in improve our operations. Like most other manufacturing oper- the U.S. ations, automated welding and steel manufacturing processes are always near the top of the list. We have invested heavily in equipment, facility footprint expansion, and brick and mortar

Looking ahead, by market niche, where do you see op- over the past 10 years. Near-term, we look to install new lift portunity?

The industry is showing opportunity in LNG and dredge capacity as well as plate blast and prime equipment.

April 2020 14 MN