VT Halter Marine has laid the keel for a multimillion dollar oceanographic survey ship.

The event was held Tuesday at the shipyard in Moss Point.

The USNS Maury Survey Ship will have state-of-the-art survey equipment to undertake oceanographic surveys anywhere in the world.

Navy officials say the $87 million ship will also assist with humanitarian and disaster aid missions.

VT Halter has built six of the original vessels.

The all-steel vessel can carry a 67-person crew.

Bill Skinner, CEO of VT Halter, says it will take about 18 months to complete the ship.