Vessel for subsea rock installation in the works

A dredging services provider is moving forward with a major project on the East Coast that will provide stone-supply opportunities for aggregate producers.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. (GLDD) is proceeding with the design and development of the first U.S.-flagged Jones Act-compliant, inclined fallpipe vessel for subsea rock installation. According to Great Lakes, the vessel represents an advancement in building the future of the new U.S. offshore wind industry. This includes establishing a U.S.-based rock supply chain network spanning Eastern Seaboard states with active offshore wind leases.

While the vessel initially would serve the East Coast, GLDD believes it will be available as offshore wind projects develop along the Gulf and West Coasts.

“U.S. offshore wind’s potential growth could be a true economic stimulus for America,” says Lasse Petterson, GLDD’s CEO and president. “We believe this is the optimal time for us to leverage our extensive specialized vessel expertise to enter this exciting market now coming to the United States.

“We are initiating this project because we firmly believe that a Jones Act-compliant offshore wind subsea rock installation vessel is a critical foundational piece required to advance the U.S. offshore wind energy industry,” Petterson adds. “We are committed to safe and sustainable operations and excited to make history with this landmark vessel.”