Libra Group acquires St. Johns Ship Building

Americraft Marine, a subsidiary of the Libra Group, announced the acquisition of St. Johns Ship Building, which specializes in the construction and repair of ships that comply with the Jones Act, including ships used to service offshore wind turbines.

Based in Palatka, Florida, near Jacksonville, St. Johns Ship Building pioneers the construction and repair of a wide variety of steel and aluminum vessels, including ferries, tugs, barges and general cargo vessels. St. Johns Ship Building is one of the few U.S. shipyards to build vessels that support and serve offshore wind farms.

Significant shipbuilding capacity is needed for the next 10-15 years

Americraft Marine is a subsidiary of the Libra Group, a private international business group whose subsidiaries own and manage assets in more than 50 countries. The announcement comes at a time when there is a great need for ships that comply with the “Jones Act”. Although shipbuilding has declined in the US in recent years, significant shipbuilding capacity will be needed over the next 10-15 years to support the growing demand for renewable energy vessels.

With facilities that include a storm protection zone of 100 acres inland, with an 850 ton floating dock, St. Johns Ship Building is able to accelerate the production of vessels that comply with the “Jones Act”, in particular the construction and maintenance of vessels supporting offshore wind farms.

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George M. Logothetis

“Proud to invest in the future”

Pertaining to the acquisition, the president and CEO of the Libra Group Mr. George M. Logothetis noted his company has more than 45 years of maritime heritage and significant renewable energy experience through its four clean energy subsidiaries. As he stressed the acquisition of St. Johns Ship Building will enable Americraft Marine to build and strengthen the U.S. fleet to meet the needs of government and private customers.