01. History
AMFELS Shipyard History
Marathon Manufacturing opened the shipyard now known as AMFELS in Brownsville, Texas, in 1971. This facility supported the company’s primary shipyard in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Today, the yard continues to produce containerships and oil rigs.
When the facility opened, asbestos use was common at shipyards. Many ships had asbestos-containing materials, putting shipbuilders and sailors at risk of exposure. Asbestos exposure may lead to the development of serious conditions, like mesothelioma.
Before becoming the American Far Eastern Levingston (AMFELS) Shipyard, the facility went by other names. It only became known as AMFELS when Keppel FELS bought the facility in 1991. Keppel FELS, a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), merged with Sembcorp in 2023. The new company, Seatrium, changed the Brownsville shipyard’s name to Seatrium AmFELS.
Regardless of the facility’s name, asbestos was used there for many years. And older ships repaired at the facility may still contain asbestos.
AMFELS Shipyard History at a Glance
- Other Names: AMFELS, Keppel AMFELS, Marathon LeTourneau, Seatrium AmFELS
- Location: Brownsville, Texas
- Owner(s): Marathon Manufacturing, Marathon LeTourneau, Keppel FELS, Allison/McDermid, Seatrium
- Years of Operation: 1971 – Present
- Noteworthy Ships: Charybdis, Tallahatchie, Penrod 71, W.D. Kent
- Types of Ships Built/Serviced: Containership, deck barge, drilling barge, jack-up rig, multi-purpose ship, semi-submersible, skimmer vessel, super 116 jack-up rig, tank barge, towboat, wind turbine installation vessel
AMFELS Shipyard still builds and repairs ships and offshore structures. The facility has produced many offshore oil rigs and other seagoing vessels, including containerships. Many of these vessels likely had asbestos components. Performing repairs on older ships may still pose exposure risks, despite tighter asbestos laws.
Notable Ships Built and Repaired
AMFELS Shipyard has built many different kinds of ships, but it now primarily serves the shipping and oil and gas industries. The vessels built at AMFELS include containerships, offshore drilling platforms and oil exploration ships. The shipyard also repairs offshore platforms. Many of these vessels and platforms may have contained asbestos materials.
Pentagone 82 (ELJD9)
The Pentagone 82 is a semi-submersible oil drilling platform. It was the first of its kind built at the AMFELS Shipyard. Delivered in 1973, the Pentagone 82 now operates as Pride Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico. It is currently owned by Seatankers Management Co., Ltd.
The Pentagone 82 is 325 feet long and 338 feet wide. It is 317 feet tall and weighs 10,200 tons. After modifications in 2007, the rig can operate in waters up to 2,650 feet and reach a drilling depth of 25,000 feet.
Many oil rigs often had asbestos insulation and spray-on coatings. It is also likely that AMFELS used asbestos in gaskets during the rig’s construction. The mineral was used in high-temperature and high-pressure applications commonly found in the oil industry.
Penrod 71 (V7GL2)
In 1975, AMFELS launched the Penrod 71. It was the second semi-submersible built at the shipyard, and it was in service for over 40 years. Penrod 71 was the largest semi-submersible built at AMFELS. The rig’s gross tonnage (the volume of all internal space) measures more than 21,000 tons. Later, under the name Petrobras XXVII, it operated off the coast of Brazil until decommissioned through Petrobras’ sustainable decommissioning process by 2021.
As with other similar rigs of the time, asbestos was commonly used in its construction and operation. Crew members and workers who built the rig may have been exposed to asbestos. This exposure may lead to asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos Use
Asbestos at AMFELS Shipyard
AMFELS Shipyard in Brownsville builds and repairs many different ship types, but focuses on oil and gas platforms. The company’s extensive use of asbestos put employees at risk of exposure.
One asbestos product likely used at AMFELS Shipyard during ship construction was insulation. Many ships used asbestos insulation to protect the crew from the heat produced by boilers. But asbestos was not limited to insulation. Its widespread use affected many shipyard workers and ships’ crews during construction, repairs and daily use.
Asbestos Exposure at AMFELS Shipyard
Many AMFELS employees and their families may have been exposed to asbestos at the shipyard. After the company delivered the ships, crewmembers faced risks of exposure to asbestos products onboard.
Some common occupations that faced asbestos exposure risks include:
- Boilermakers
- Electricians
- Insulators
- Machinists
- Maintenance workers
- Mechanics
- Metal/Ironworkers
- Pipefitters
- Shipbuilders
- Welders
People who work with or around asbestos can accidentally bring it home on their clothes. Their family members may unknowingly handle or wash the contaminated clothing. This may lead to a type of asbestos exposure called secondary exposure.
03. Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits for AMFELS Shipyard
Anyone exposed to asbestos who becomes sick may be eligible for compensation. A mesothelioma lawsuit can provide compensation to asbestos victims for expenses such as lost wages and medical bills. Lawsuits may end in a verdict or a settlement.
A mesothelioma lawyer can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. They handle filing the lawsuit, arguing it in court and negotiating settlements on behalf of their clients. An experienced asbestos attorney has the resources and knowledge needed to successfully manage a mesothelioma case.
04. Trust Fund Claims
Asbestos Trusts Associated With AMFELS Shipyard
Companies establish asbestos trust funds after declaring bankruptcy due to liabilities from mesothelioma lawsuits. Seatrium and the previous owners of the AMFELS Shipyard have not declared bankruptcy. Without an asbestos trust fund, it continues handling all lawsuits through court trials or private settlements.
Asbestos exposure victims may be able to file trust fund claims against companies that supplied asbestos to the shipyard. A mesothelioma lawyer can tell you which trusts you may be eligible to file against. If you believe your asbestos exposure happened while working at the AMFELS Shipyard, contact an asbestos law firm to begin reviewing your options.
