R&R Marine Shipbuilding to Build Blessey Barges

PORT ARTHUR, Texas, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- R&R Marine Shipbuilding, Inc. ("R&R Marine") confirmed today it has entered into a multi-year contract with Blessey Enterprises, Inc. ("Blessey") of New Orleans, Louisiana for the construction of up to eighteen (18) inland tank barges. Blessey currently operates a fleet of 100 inland tank barges along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and inland rivers of the United States.

The barges will be built at R&R's new construction facility in Port Arthur, Texas. The first barge is scheduled for delivery in July, 2008 with subsequent barges being delivered every 2 1/2 months. When completed, each barge will measure 297.5 feet long by 54 feet wide and 13 feet deep. The contract calls for the construction of both clean and black-oil barges.

According to R&R owners Ricky Martinez, Tommy Nugier and Keal Woodruff "we are very pleased to partner with Blessey for the construction of their new barges and to have the opportunity to work with Walter Blessey and his team. We enjoy our current relationship for maintenance and repair of their fleet and look forward to a long relationship for their fleet expansion."

R&R Marine Shipbuilding, Inc. is a builder of inland tank and deck barges, offshore support boats and other specialty vessels from its Port Arthur, TX construction shipyard. R&R has three shipyards on the Intracoastal Waterway with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to new construction, R&R offers a full-range of repair, maintenance, conversion and drydock services for tankers, drill rigs, tugs, barges and other offshore support vessels.

For further information about R&R Marine, Inc. visit the Company's web site at http://www.rrmarine.com, email to info@rrmarine.com, or call 409-963-0035. Contact: Will Wilson Bob Jarvis Vice President - CFO Vice President - New Construction 409-963-0035 409-963-0035 will.wilson@rrmarine.com bob.jarvis@rrmarine.com