Halter Marine gets order for 5th US Navy berthing barge

Halter Marine has secured a contract option for the U.S. Navy’s fifth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 Class berthing and messing barge.

Under the $41 million contract, Halter Marine will provide the detailed design and construction of the vessel, which is expected to begin this August.

“We appreciate the Navy’s continued confidence in Halter Marine by awarding us with this fifth APL berthing barge,” said Bob Merchent, president and CEO of Halter Marine. “We have a strong history of designing and building multiple-vessel contracts for the Navy. We look forward to delivering the first three APLs over the course of this summer.”

In September 2018, Halter Marine received the initial contract to design and build two units, with options for four additional ones. Construction on the fourth vessel is expected to be completed this summer.

“Designing and building five APLs here in Jackson County, Mississippi, is good for our local community and economy,” said Kevin Amis, Halter Marine’s executive vice president of Operations. “Halter Marine continues to hire skilled local craftsmen and women, and we are training 55 others through our apprentice program. This APL program benefits both the livelihood of the local craftsmen and women as well as our national security.”

The vessels are 82 meters long and each is equipped with offices, classrooms, washrooms, laundry facilities, medical treatment areas, a barbershop and a fitness center.

They offer mess seating for 224 enlisted personnel and 28 officers, and are fitted with mixed-gender berthing spaces for 74 officers and 537 enlisted personnel, for a total of 611 people.