Weeks Marine indicators contract with Eastern for brand spanking new hopper dredge

Dredge will likely be sister ship to Magdalen (above).

Cranford, N.J., headquartered Weeks Marine has signed a contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, Fla., masking building of a sister ship to Weeks Marine’s TSHD Magdalen, a twin screw trailing suction hopper dredge constructed by Eastern and positioned into service in 2018.

The new vessel will likely be constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Panamshipyard in Panama City.

“I spoke this morning with Lt. General Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers informing him of the contract we signed with Eastern to build the new hopper dredge,” stated Richard S. Weeks, Chief Executive Officer of Weeks Marine. “We work hand-in-hand with the Army Corps of Engineers in delivering the mission for our country.”

Named the R.B. Weeks, the brand new trailing suction hopper dredge is scheduled for supply early first quarter 2023 (or earlier). The R.B. Weeks, is called after the co-founder of the corporate and the husband of Magdalen Weeks, for whom the Magdalen is called.

“This is the third major capital construction shipbuilding project in as many years for Weeks Marine. It reflects Weeks Marine’s commitment to building dredges to serve the needs of the United States of America,” stated William P. Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of the Dredging Contractors of America. “U.S. dredging companies are putting people to work and keeping them working doing America’s dredging – American built – American owned – American crewed.”

It is the third giant scale hopper dredge over the previous 5 years that Eastern has constructed and is setting up, reflecting Eastern’s dedication to constructing advanced dredge vessels for the U.S. Jones Act maritime business.