CHOUEST CONTINUES MASSIVE BUILD UP
Possibly one of the most ambitious newbuilding projects is the recently announced plans by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), headquartered in Galliano, Louisiana. The company is continuing a newbuilding program that has already produced over fifty new generation offshore vessels and which will continue to produce vessels over the next few years.
Construction highlights feature six 260 ft new generation deepwater supply vessels, two 165 ft fast supply vessels, as well as the conversion of an existing vessel into the largest offshore supply vessel in the U.S. market, and the construction of the largest anchor-handling vessel in the world.

ECO’s affiliated shipyards in south Louisiana, North American Shipbuilding in Larose and North American Fabricators in Houma, will not only perform all construction work on the various newbuild projects, but will also perform modifications on several Chouest seismic vessels being converted to offshore supply vessels.

The six 260 ft deepwater supply vessels have been delivered and two additional 165 ft fast supply vessels will be delivered in the next few months.
North American Shipbuilding is converting the Margaret B, Chouest, currently the largest vessel in the Chouest fleet at 320 ft, to the largest offshore supply vessel in the U.S. market. The vessel was constructed in 1995 as a container cargo vessel, and has recently returned from its service requirements with the U.S. Navy. The 5,000 dwt Margaret B, Chouest will be modified to carry 12,000 barrels of liquid mud as a dynamically positioned (DP2) OSV. The vessel is capable of maintaining 17 knots speed fully ladened in a sea state three.

The record breaking newbuild in the Chouest program will be a 347 ft long by 72 ft beam vessel with a deadweight of 6,500 tons—the largest anchor handling vessel in the world. The vessel will be equipped with the largest winch system ever installed on an anchor handling vessel, producing a 600 ton pull. A bollard pull of 360 tons is anticipated from the vessel whose installed power rating will be 30,000 horsepower and capable of operating in depths of up to 12,000 feet.

The reasons for the aggressive newbuilding program are quite simple, according to ECO’s Vice President of Business Development, Roger White.
“Even prior to these newbuilds, Chouest already owns and operates one of the youngest fleets in the industry,” remarked White. “It is our intention to continue to add vessels to service the increased requirements of our offshore customers.”

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