Terms were not disclosed, but McDermott said the 50-acre facility will be available on an exclusive basis to the contractor in early 2016.
Gulfport will be McDermott's answer to rival marine contractor Technip's spoolbase in Theodore, Alabama, which is a market leader in fabrication of pipe for reel-lay and pipe-in-pipe projects.
McDermott added that the spoolbase will be equipped with "advanced welding processes" and a "state-of-the-art fabrication building and stalk racks as well as a dedicated dock for vessel berthing" for reeling pipe to the installation vessel.
