Posted on April 27, 2021
Morgan City, LA: Conrad Shipyard hosted a Keel Laying Ceremony for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company (GLDD) at its Deepwater shipyard in Amelia, Louisiana. The keel is for a 6,500 cubic yard Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge. Delivery is scheduled before the end of Q1 in 2023.
Addressing an audience of Conrad and GLDD executives, Louisiana’s Lt. Governor, United States Coast Guard personnel, shipyard workers and guests, Conrad Chairman and CEO Johnny Conrad discussed the significance of the relationship and commented on the synergies between the two companies:
“Our valued relationship began more than 35 years ago, and in that time, we have worked together on several projects including deck barges, anchor barges and dredge support equipment. In addition to those new construction projects, we have done repair and conversion work for GLDD, including the dredge Alaska, which is in our shipyard now for repairs. It is our honor to build this vessel for you.”
“I would like to thank Great Lakes Dredge and Dock for the confidence and trust that you showed in awarding us this project. Your recognition that your workforce is the reason for your success aligns well with Conrad corporate values. I’ve heard my father and our founder, Parker Conrad, say that exact same thing many, many times. It was one of his founding principles,” he said.
Bill Hanson, GLDD Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Business Development, said that the company has worked off the Louisiana Gulf Coast for more than 80 years. He praised the Conrad workforce for their quality and also Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser for his support of the dredging industry and coastal restoration.
Billy Nungesser, Louisiana Lt. Governor, described Conrad Shipyard and Great Lakes Dredge and Dock as two of the finest companies with whom he has ever been associated. He noted that the history of the two companies showed their respect for the environment and pledged his continuing support for coastal restoration and navigable shipping channels.
GLDD’s Bill Hanson, Chris Roberts, and Vidar Lindmoen initialed the keel panels for later beading by a welder.
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PHOTOS:
Chairman & CEO Johnny Conrad and Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
GLDD’s Bill Hanson, SVP; Chris Roberts, VP, TSHD Fleet Manager and Vidar Lindmoen, Program Director initial the keel.
ABOUT GREAT LAKES DREDGE & DOCK
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States. In addition, the Company has a long history of performing significant international projects. The Company employs experienced civil, ocean and mechanical engineering staff in its estimating, production and project management functions. Great Lakes owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, comprised of over 200 specialized vessels.
ABOUT CONRAD SHIPYARD
Conrad Shipyard was established in 1948 and is headquartered in Morgan City, Louisiana. The company designs, constructs and overhauls tugboats, ferries, liftboats, barges, offshore supply vessels and other steel and aluminum products for both commercial and government markets. Conrad provides both repair and new construction services at its five Gulf Coast shipyards located in southern Louisiana and Texas.
For Additional Information Contact: Robert Sampey, Vice President at 985.384.3060 • RASampey@conradindustries.com
