ST Engineering Halter Marine Offshore (STEHMO)

Built on its experience in the offshore drilling and oil and gas industries, ST Engineering Halter Marine Offshore (STEHMO) has evolved into a truly full-service shipyard. The year 2021 has witnessed the next step of the company’s evolution as it turned a new leaf. STEHMO has redirected its efforts to engage in new areas of business such as to repurpose, convert and dismantle drilling rigs, commercial new marine construction, government repair and conversion, and vessel and ship repair. But what has propelled STEHMO to drive this change?

Jeffrey Gerhmann, the Executive Vice President Operations at STEHMO, answers: “It is the unprecedented events of 2020.” While several organizations have had to adjust their business strategies due to COVID-19, STEHMO has remained fully operational, with its teams working diligently under new safety protocols. During this period, they have observed significant movement within the Dredge, Wind Installation/support, and repurposing existing assets (rigs, OSV’s, Barges etc.). To this end, the company has invested in infrastructure and equipment, as well as facility and process enhancements. This also includes exploring capital investments to secure larger drydock. “We are expanding our dock with a new 500’ bulkhead that will tie our two existing docks together. This will provide additional pier space for additional vessels,” says Gerhmann.

With a strong legacy in servicing jack-up rigs, lattice legs, and jacking systems, STEHMO has remained a competent player in the market for Offshore Wind Turbine Installation vessels. “Our extensive success in delivering on major overhauls aboard a variety of dredges distinguishes our capability to support new construction for the Dredge market,” mentions Gerhmann. Today, STEHMO is actively pursuing opportunities to expand its capabilities, as well as execute strategic partnerships to support the Subsea Installation and Construction markets.

The company has recently leased a portion of its 94-acre facility to Saipem to serve as a spool base for the Saipem Constellation. It has also formulated teaming arrangements with design agents, engineers, and contractors while exploring emerging technologies and innovation to support future advancements to deliver for an ever-growing customer base. At the same time, the company’s expansion into the Commercial New Construction realm has led to a number of successful teaming relationships with third-party subcontractors. These partnerships enable them to substantially improve capabilities and achieve higher utilization of its genuinely unique facilities.

In addition to its shipyard services, STEHMO also sends crews offshore to perform work as requested. Its engineering group utilizes a 3D laser scanner to create a 3D C AD model. “All pipe spools and/or structural foundations will be fabricated, tested, and painted prior to being shipped offshore. This minimizes the installation time and thereby reduces cost,” states Gerhmann. Further, STEHMO’s diversely experienced project team uses its Integrated Management System to help identify schedule conflicts early so that recovery plans can be put into place to ensure vessels are delivered on time. “We have access to in-house engineering support from our parent company STEHMO in Singapore, which allows us to extend a comprehensive suite of design capabilities and proven competencies to bolster our capabilities as a competitive US shipyard,” says Gerhmann.

STEHMO recently delivered the USNS Apache, its first MSC vessel, well ahead of schedule. Despite the active hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico, the company was able to deliver 15 days early on a 60-day contract. The company expects to build on the success of this vessel delivery to support more Government projects.