Friede Goldman Halter announced that its vessel construction business unit, Halter Marine has been awarded a contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce for the detailed design and construction of the first of four Fisheries Research Vessels, designated the FRV-40 class. The contract also includes the provision of spare parts, technical services and options to build three additional ships. Engineering of the first ship will begin immediately and construction will follow at Halter Marine's shipyard in Moss Point, Mississippi, with delivery scheduled in 36 months.

The FRV-40 class vessels will have an overall length of 208 feet, a beam of 49 feet and a molded depth of 28 feet. They will be designed and built to the requirements of the American Bureau of Shipping and upon delivery will be classed ABS A1RE, AMS, ACCU, DPS-1, unrestricted service, and Ice Class C0. "We are extremely pleased that NOAA has chosen Halter for this very significant program." said John Alford, chief executive officer of Friede Goldman Halter. "NOAA's award reaffirms Halter's leadership position in the design and construction of scientific research and surveillance ships. Successful U.S. Navy programs gave NOAA confidence in our ability to build very quiet ships.

In addition, the AGOR 23-25 oceanographic research ships for the University National Laboratory System, and the NOAA Research Vessel "Ronald Brown" demonstrated to NOAA our ability to design and build the worlds most advanced research ships."
The total value of the base contract is $38.3 million; if all possible options are exercised, the total value of the contract could ultimately exceed $165 million.