VT Halter Marine Awarded First Of Four Options For Navy Barge Contract

VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., has been awarded the first of four options for the construction of the Auxiliary Personnel Lighter Small (APLS) Class berthing barges by the U.S. Navy.

The option for four vessels is part of a contract awarded to the company in September 2018, for the construction of two firm APLS. This brings the total amount for the three vessels to $118 million, with anticipated delivery for the last vessel to be in the final quarter of 2020.

“VT Halter Marine is proud to contribute to our national defense,” said Ronald Baczkowski, CEO of VT Halter Marine. “This award is another testament to the U.S. Navy’s confidence in VT Halter Marine’s capabilities in building quality vessels.”

The vessels are used by the Navy to house crewmembers when ships are under repair or modification. The Navy’s APLS are mobile and can be towed to new bases or shipyards to support changing fleet requirements and offer potential use for humanitarian missions and other temporary assignments.

The new vessels will be 82 meters long by 20.95 meters wide, with a 2.2-meter draft. Each vessel will be fitted with mixed gender berthing spaces for 74 officers and 537 enlisted personnel, for a total of 611 people.

Additionally, the vessels will be capable of seating 228 enlisted personnel and 56 officers for each meal. Suitably-sized food storage, preparation, and serving facilities are also included. Each vessel is equipped with offices, classrooms, washrooms, laundry facilities, medical treatment areas, a barber shop, and a fitness center.