La. shipyard contracts for ice-tug

HOUSTON - Gulf Island Fabrication Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Gulf Island Shipyards of Houma, La., has been awarded a contract for the construction of an ice class CPP Z-drive tug from the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC). The multi-purpose tug will be designed to provide icebreaking/ice-management services on the St. Lawrence Seaway, handle aids to navigation, and push SLSDC's two buoy and gate-lifter barges. The tug will also be capable of secondary roles in ship assist, fire-fighting, and pollution response. Gulf Island Shipyards has also contracted with Technology Associates Inc. of New Orleans for completion of Functional and Production Design for the vessel. Delivery is expected in the spring/summer of 2019. (Source: NASDAQ 12/20/17)