Edison Chouest Announces Plans For Eight New Deepwater PSV’s

ECO currently owns and operates a large fleet of high-capacity platform supply, fast supply, anchor handling, construction, tractor tug, well stimulation and specialty vessels deployed worldwide.  Additionally, ECO now owns and operates one of the largest deepwater ROV-capable fleets in the world, in conjunction with its subsea affiliate, C-Innovation.

“Since 2003, the core of our newbuild program has been a series of 42 new generation 4,750 deadweight ton (DWT) 280′ offshore supply vessels,” said ECO’s Vice President of Operations Dino Chouest.  “Our next generation includes 13 vessels in our 300′, 5,150 DWT class.”  That group is currently under construction, with the first two undergoing sea trials and preparing for delivery.

Chouest acknowledged that three in the new class of eight PSVs are in the early stages of construction, as well.  “Our design plans also take into account the potential of future modifications for deployment in the Arctic,” he also noted.  ECO currently has under construction, at two of its south Louisiana shipyards, the hull and superstructure for a 361′ Arctic ice class anchor handling tug supply vessel, slated for delivery in early 2012 to Shell in Alaska.

The newly announced group of eight vessels is in addition to a total of 25 other newbuilds ECO and its affiliates already have under construction at shipyards in the U.S., Brazil and Poland.  Chouest anticipates the new group of vessels, under construction at Chouest affiliate shipyards North American Shipbuilding (Larose, LA), La Ship (Houma, LA) and Tampa Ship (Tampa, FL), will be delivered within the next 12-36 months.

A number of ECO vessels are now deployed outside of U.S. waters in the post-Deepwater Horizon industry market.  “Our intention is to continue to replace those assets and address future needs in the U.S. Jones Act market,” noted Chouest.  “Our goal is to maintain our position as the preeminent solutions provider in the market, both domestic and international.”