Written by Eric Funderburk for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)
Summary
The U.S. Gulf Coast region holds the bulk of current U.S. shipbuilding construction activity, including substantial developments in Alabama driven by the defense sector.
Billions in Spending
According to Industrial Info Resources data, there is more than $2.4 billion in current construction activity at U.S. shipyards, with another $10.7 billion worth of shipbuilding planned to kick off in the future. Of the on-the-ground projects, the bulk of activity is occurring in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. A number of projects are driven by the defense sector, represented by substantial activity in Alabama.
Alabama Shipbuilding Projects
Most of Alabama’s on-the-ground shipbuilding activity involves shipbuilder Austal USA relating to contracts that it has with the federal government, specifically for U.S. Navy submarines. Austal is based in Mobile, where Industrial Info Resources is tracking $330 million worth of projects from the company.
Austal’s work is primarily focused on delivering two types of nuclear-powered submarines to the government: the Virginia-class submarine, which fires cruise missiles, and the upcoming Columbia-class sub, which fires ballistic missiles. But rather than manufacture the ships in their entirety, Austal’s Mobile plant will manufacture modular components of the vessels, which will be shipped on to larger shipyards belonging to the likes of General Dynamics and Newport News Shipbuilding. The two projects, valued at a combined $330 million, will be completed this year. Subscribers to the Industrial Info Resources Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Industrial Manufacturing Project Database can click here to see the reports on the Austal projects, which encompass more than 560,000 square feet of new assembly space to house required equipment.
Just as Austal is a smaller link in a greater construction chain, an even smaller link in that chain is prompting a third Alabama shipyard project from Master Boat Builders, to which Austal is outsourcing some work. That work from Austal has prompted construction of a new 150,000-square-foot fabrication shop and floating dock at the company’s facility in Coden, about 30 miles from Mobile. Construction kicked off late last year, and Industrial Info expects work on the $60 million project to be completed in the second half of next year. Subscribers can learn more by viewing the project report.
In addition to the Austal projects, Birdon Group is upgrading its facility in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, near Coden, to support U.S. Coast Guard contracts.
New Technologies
Although it has links to the U.S. defense sector, the government is only one market for new autonomous vessels being developed by Saronic Technologies Incorporated. In Franklin, Louisiana, Saronic’s chosen contractors JE Dunn and Alberici Corporation are constructing a 300,000-square-foot shipyard with three slips in addition to a separate warehouse facility. A production line will be geared exclusively for the manufacture of autonomous ships for both the commercial and defense sectors. Saronic’s line of autonomous vessels range from the 24-foot Corsair model capable of carrying 1,000 pounds to the 180-foot Marauder, capable of carrying 150 metric tons. Subscribers can click here to learn more about the project, which Industrial Info expects to wrap up early next year.
Atlantic Coast
On the Atlantic Coast, by far the largest shipyard project underway is the Department of Defense’s reconfiguration and expansion of its Drydock 1 facility in Kittery, Maine, near Portsmouth. Construction commenced in 2022 and is expected to last into mid-2028. The reconfiguration includes multiple components, including a concrete wall separating the north and west sections of the dry dock, a pump station building, two caissons, mooring hardware and much more. The $1.7 billion expansion will enhance the shipyard’s ability to handle multiple Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class nuclear submarines. Subscribers can learn more by viewing the project report.
Other Projects
In addition to capital projects, Industrial Info is tracking several maintenance projects at U.S. shipyards planned for this year and next. Industrial Info monitors both capital and maintenance projects in the U.S. shipbuilding sector, allowing equipment providers and contractors to gain a foothold in the market and keep tabs on regional trends such as labor availability.
Key Takeaways
- Industrial Info Resources is tracking more than $2.4 billion in current U.S. shipbuilding construction activity and another $10.7 billion worth planned for the future.
- The U.S. federal defense sector is the primary driver of current construction.
- Alabama is a particular hotspot for activity due to projects based on the Virginia– and Columbia-class nuclear submarines.
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR’s Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).
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