NOAA Selects Thoma-Sea for $625M Research Vessel Design, Construction Contract

Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors has been awarded a $624.6 million contract to design and manufacture two ships for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research mission.

The award resulted from a solicitation process from June to October last year and project funding will partly come from Inflation Reduction Act appropriations, the agency said Thursday.

NOAA expects to receive the vessels in 2027 and 2028 to conduct ocean mapping, oceanographic data collection, nautical charting and marine ecosystem assessment efforts.

Thoma-Sea’s contract includes an option to build two more vessels. Construction of the first two ships will occur at a company facility in Houma, Louisiana.

Richard Spinrad, administrator of NOAA, said the vessels will be equipped with modern engines and systems as the agency is looking to achieve net-zero fleet emissions.

In January 2021, Thoma-Sea booked a $178 million contract to provide the agency two oceanographic ships built with underwater research equipment, information technology and Environmental Protection Agency-compliant diesel engines.

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