La. shipyards awarded DOT grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded $9.8 million to 18 American shipyards as part of its Small Shipyard Grant Program. Gulf Island Shipyards of Houma, La., was awarded $757,168 to support the purchase of a laser CNC cutting machine and a CNC pipe bending machine. A&Z Marine of Port Allen, La., was awarded $900,000 to support the purchase a 440-ton marine travelift. Grants are available to American shipyards with less than 600 production employees. Since 2008, MARAD’s grant program has awarded $174 million to 169 small shipyards. (Source: Marine Link 09/06/17)