VT Halter Marine to build fourth APL(S) berthing barge for US Navy

VT Halter Marine has been awarded a contract option for the US Navy’s fourth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 class berthing and messing barge.

The contract award is US$39.9 million for a firm, fixed-price option for the detail design and construction of the vessel.

VT Halter Marine is currently constructing the first three APLs. In September 2018, the company received the initial contract to design and build two units, with options for four additional units.

Construction on the fourth vessel is expected to be completed in the summer of 2021. The company expects to deliver the first two APLs in the third calendar quarter of 2020 and the third vessel is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2020.