Maritime To Move Overseas Production To Broussard

A St. Martin Parish company is expanding and bringing 90 new jobs to the area.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said Tuesday that Maritime International, which makes mooring systems and protective fenders for international harbors and the U.S. Navy, is moving production now occurring in China to Broussard. The company also manufactures piles, vacuums, tanks and other general fabrication for the offshore oil and gas industry.

Jindal says the $8 million expansion will create 90 new direct jobs over the next three years with an average salary of about $57,000. Maritime currently has 70 people on its payroll.

The company will begin construction on the expansion in 2012 and complete the project within a year.

To secure the new jobs and investment, Louisiana Economic Development will provide a $900,000 performance-based, forgivable loan.