Gulf Fleet Marine Completes First Phase Of $61-Million Expansion

Gulf Fleet Marine Corporation, New Orleans, La., has completed the first phase of a $61-million expansion program and expects to complete the second phase by the first quarter of 1981, according to Richard M. Currence, president.

Mr. Currence said that during 1979, Gulf Fleet acquired a total of 15 new vessels with an aggregate cost of approximately $35 million to service the offshore petroleum industry on a worldwide basis. These included three tugs, six towing/supply, three supply vessels and three utility vessels.

Eleven of the vessels were newly constructed, and four were acquired as existing equipment purchased to accommodate specific and immediate customer requirements.

Of the 11 vessels constructed in 1979, six were built at shipyards affiliated with Gulf Fleet, and five were acquired from other shipyards.

Another 11 vessels with an aggregate cost of approximately $26 million will be constructed during 1980, with the final vessel due for delivery in early 1981. These include two towing/supply vessels, six supply vessels, one utility boat, one crewboat, and one oceangoing barge. At that point, Gulf Fleet will have more than 100 vessels — towing/supply, supply, tugs, crew / utility / launch, and barges — at work around the world.

Gulf Fleet vessels include tugs of up to 9,000 horsepower for movement of floating drilling rigs, derrick or pipelaying barges, supply vessels for movement of crew and cargo with up to 7,000 horsepower and 205 feet long, and cargo barges capable of accommodating up to 10,000 tons on deck.

This equipment is now in operation on the African West Coast, the North Sea, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Suez, South and Central America and all coastal waters of the United States.

Other stories from April 15, 1980 issue

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