It is reported that Mr Bobby Jindal governor of Louisiana lunged gold shovels into the property breaking ground for Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard project at Houma in the Louisiana Sate of US.

Mr Jindal said "This is a great day for Louisiana. This is a huge economic development not just for the Bayou Region, but for the whole state. That’s 1,000 families who’s hopes and dreams will be realized right here in south Louisiana."

Edison Chouest Offshore project represents a USD 90 million investment and the potential creation of 1,000 jobs. The LaShip shipyard is expected to be Chouest's largest fabrication and shipbuilding facility worldwide, producing ships larger than 350 feet. It should be fully operational in 2009.