Marad awards contract for new mooring facility

    The U.S. Maritime Administration said last week it has awarded a $34.6 million contract for the design and construction of a new facility for berth ready reserve fleet ships on the Neches River near Beaumont, Texas to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. of Houston.
    When completed in 2013, the new facility will provide a mooring place for eight large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSRs). Ready reserve ships are maintained by Marad in a reduced operating status until needed by the military.
    Marad said keeping eight similar vessels at one federally-owned location will reduce costs associated with maintaining the vessels.