Portland Business Secured Contract From US Army in the Antarctica Program
Washington DC: Gunderson Marine, LLC secured a contract from the US Army to develop a steel pier that will support the operations at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
The Portland manufacturer was able to grab a whopping $43.5 million contract that will assist the National Science Foundation’s U.S. Antarctic Program.
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici today welcomed the announcement and applauded the firm’s effort.
“The Antarctic is one of the least explored regions in the world, and this contract between Gunderson Marine and the National Science Foundation matches a mainstay Portland business with cutting-edge scientific research,” Wyden said. “This good news means jobs locally and groundbreaking research globally.”
“From Northwest Portland to the South Pole, this partnership between Gunderson Marine and the National Science Foundation will boost the local economy and lead to a greater understanding of one of the earth’s final frontiers,” Merkley said. “It’s exciting to see a longtime Oregon business take the helm on this opportunity to further critical research in Antarctica and beyond.”
This will provide a boost to the local economy and the contract itself is a testament to Portland’s shipbuilding expertise.
The specialized vessel will navigate through the chilly waters of Antarctica after assembling in Portland. The executives of Gunderson Marine claim that the expedition’s schedule is inextricably tied to the Antarctic’s cyclical seasons.
The only window of opportunity for the barge to be safely navigated to its destination is a short three-month period during which the ice recedes sufficiently to permit passage. The manufacturing process is made more difficult and urgent by this time constraint.
