Keppel AmFELS reached a pair of construction milestones April 30 in the building of two containership vessels for Pasha Hawaii.
Executives from both companies were joined by Brownsville Navigation District Chairman John Reed and other federal, state and local dignitaries for the ceremonial keel laying for
M/V George III
and the cutting of the first steel plates for
M/V Janet Marie,
the two containerships currently being built at the Port of Brownsville. Delivery of the vessels is expected in 2020.
"We are pleased to be able to support the Pasha Hawaii fleet with the design, engineering and construction of the two new dual-fuel LNG containerships," said Simon Lee, president of Keppel AmFELS. "Texas currently ranks third in the nation for domestic maritime jobs and we are proud to support a thriving skilled workforce in our local community as a leading shipyard."
The Port of Brownsville is the only place in Texas where deep-draft ships are being built.
"Not only is Keppel AmFELS pioneering ship building at the Port of Brownsville, it’s introducing an entirely new industry to the Lonestar State, helping create 700 high-paying new jobs for our community," said John Reed, Brownsville Navigation District chairman. "This partnership between Pasha Hawaii and Keppel AmFELS allows the port to continue diversifying its assets, attracting new customers and industries to our region."