Conrad Shipyard Awarded Puerto Rico Ferry Contract
Conrad Shipyard LLC announced August 29 that it has been awarded a contract by the Puerto Rico Maritime Transit Authority for the construction of four cargo and passenger ferry vessels.
The ferries, designed to carry 300 passengers and 300 short tons of cargo, will operate between the Municipality of Ceiba and the Municipality Islands of Vieques and Culebra in Puerto Rico.
Conrad expects to deliver the first ferry to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in late 2024.
The passenger amenities incorporated into the ferries were designed with comfort and convenience in mind. With modern propulsion systems and advanced design techniques for optimum space utilization, these ferries will stand the test of time and service the residents for decades to come, Conrad said in the announcement.
“We are honored to have been selected by the Puerto Rico Marime Transit Authority for this important project,” said Johnny Conrad, chairman and CEO of Conrad Shipyard. “This contract supports our commitment to delivering quality vessels that prioritize safety, efficiency and passenger comfort. We look forward to partnering with the Puerto Rico Maritime Transit Authority once again to deliver these vessels.”
Conrad previously built and delivered two ferries to PRMTA that are still operating in and around Puerto Rico today.
“We are excited to work alongside Conrad Shipyard on this project,” stated Josué Menendez Agosto, executive director of PRMTA. “These new ferries will play a vital role in improving connectivity across our region and facilitating the movement of both passengers and vehicles to and from the Island Municipalities. These new vessels will provide the much-needed resiliency that the residents from the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra need during normal operations and under emergency situations. Based on our past relationship, we are confident that Conrad Shipyard’s dedication to excellence will result in vessels that exceed our expectations.”
Conrad Shipyard, established in 1948 and headquartered in Morgan City, La., designs, builds and overhauls tugboats, ferries, dredgers, barges, offshore supply vessels and other steel and aluminum products for both the commercial and government markets. The company provides both repair and new-construction services at its five shipyards located in southern Louisiana and Texas.
Caption for photo: Rendering of cargo and passenger ferry to be built for the Puerto Rico Maritime Transit Authority by Conrad Shipyard. (Courtesy of Conrad Shipyard)
