Greek-American shipping and energy tycoon George Logothetis has swept into the US offshore wind market with the takeover of a Florida shipyard that specialises in aluminium and steel work boats.

Logothetis-led Libra Group’s purchase of St Johns Shipbuilding in Palatka – acquired via a specially formed new vehicle – comes at a time when demand for vessels to build and service the emerging sector in the US is rising sharply as a first wave of utility-scale projects starts construction in the Atlantic.

Newly formed Libra company Americraft Marine has taken ownership of the yard, which is certified to build vessels under the Jones Act, the US cabotage regulation.

Logothetis said the facility – one of the few US-based shipyards that builds vessels that support and service offshore wind farms, according to Recharge sister title TradeWinds – aimed to “build upon and bolster the US fleet, meeting government and customer needs while supporting US economic and clean energy future”.

With 30GW of offshore wind plant to build by 2030 to meet the Biden administration’s “national goal”, all vessels – from installers through service and supply boats – are in high demand.

Americraft intends to increase production of vessels protected by the Jones Act, particularly offshore wind supply and support models, TradeWinds reported.

“Our goal is simple, to create a best-in-class, future-focused shipyard,” said Americraft CEO Omear Khalid.

Logothetis is well known in maritime industry circles for his leadership of Lomar Shipping, which boasts a fleet of containerships, tankers and gas carriers worth almost $1bn, according to maritime assets specialist, VesselsValue.

The son of Greek shipping mogul Michael G Logothetis, he also has interests in the real estate, aviation, travel and renewable energy via the diversified Libra Group. Its other energy bets include US renewable fuel venture Convergen and Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure, which has financed, constructed and operated clean energy projects throughout the US.