U.S., Korean shipyards team up to build Jones Act ships

U.S., Korean shipyards team up to build Jones Act ships    General Dynamics NASSCO and Daewoo Ship Engineering Co. will work together to build ships for the U.S. coastal trades.
   The Jones Act requires ships that carry cargo between U.S. ports to be built in the United States.
   Under the agreement, Daewoo Ship Engineering will provide detail designs, support services and some of the material needed for vessel production. NASSCO will buy material and provide labor and facilities to build the ships in the United States.
   “This extraordinary partnership with DSEC will help NASSCO retain its position as a leading builder of ocean-going Jones Act ships,” said Frederick J. Harris, president of NASSCO, in a statement.
   “We believe this collaboration could be a cornerstone for U.S.-Korean shipbuilding partnerships, as well as build upon companies’ remarkable records in the market,” added In-Sung Lee, president and chief executive officer for Daewoo Ship Engineering.
   NASSCO is currently building its fourth double-hulled crude oil tanker for BP Shipping Co. of Alaska. The company also has contracts to build nine T-AKE combat logistics force ships for the U.S. Navy.