William E. Grace, president and chief executive officer of the Fruehauf Corporation, told the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce that Fruehauf management had recently approved the request of its Maryland Shipbuilding subsidiary to install an additional drydock in Baltimore. It will be the largest in the area and will cost in excess of $6-million.
Mr. Grace also told Chamber members that his company is seriously considering the construction of an intermodal container manufacturing plant in the Baltimore area. Maryland Shipbuilding has a large amount of surplus land adjoining its operation in the city. This property is ideally located for the manufacture and servicing of containers for the shipping industry.
"One of the problems that has plagued Maryland Shipbuilding down through the years," said Mr. Grace, "has been unstable employment due to its type of business. We are exploring ways to help them solve this problem, and a container manufacturing plant may prove to be one of the answers."
Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Company was acquired by Fruehauf in April, 1968, to expand its total transportation concept of serving all phases of the transportation industry—road, rail, sea and air. The Baltimore-based firm specializes in ship repairs and conversions, and the construction of container carriers and special purpose cargo ships.