VT Halter Marine to Modernize Shipyard Press Brake With MARAD Grant; Tom Vecchiolla Comments

ST Engineering North America’s shipbuilding business has received a $1.7M grant from the Department of Transporation’s Maritime Administration to procure and install a new 1,250-ton press brake.

VT Halter Marine said Tuesday it will also use the money from MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program to conduct personnel training to help them operate the hydraulic machinery.

The agency allocated $19.6M in discretionary grants to 24 shipyards nationwide as part of its Small Shipyard Grant Program, according to VT Halter Marine.

“MARAD provides great support to America’s maritime transportation infrastructure,” Tom Vecchiolla, president and CEO of ST Engineering NA and a former Wash100 Award inductee, told ExecutiveBiz.“This grant will enable us to replace aging equipment that will have an immediate impact on the Halter Marine’s efficiency as well as position the yard to remain competitive in the future.”

Ron Baczkowski, president and CEO of VT Halter Marine, the funds will allow the business to replace the 750- press brake it has used for 45 years and update processes that support its operations in the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The shipbuilder continues planning and design support for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter.