Conrad Shipyard News

Conrad Shipyard and Samsung Heavy Industries have agreed to a collaborative framework to jointly explore opportunities in the rapidly expanding U.S. LNG bunkering market.Under the agreement, Conrad and SHI will work together to evaluate and pursue technical, commercial, and market-based initiatives that support the design, construction, and deployment of LNG bunkering vessels tailored for U.S. regulatory and operational requirements.Conrad’s extensive experience navigating regulatory requirements associated with LNG bunkering vessel design…

Expansion into Harbor Tug sector helps Master Boat Builders nearly double in size, from 200 to 400 employees building eight to nine vessels per year, and the prospect of a new drydock plus additional partnerships and government construction contracts promises to power the company forward further, faster. Garrett Rice, President, Master Boat Builders, discussed the impetus for the company’s growth, and the growth in U.S. shipbuilding overall since the start of 2025 when President…

Master Boat Builders, Inc. announced it has taken delivery of a new floating dry dock, giving the company direct control over launch schedules and accelerating vessel deliveries.Designed and built by Conrad Shipyard, the dry dock measures 155’ long x 66’ wide with 41’ tall wing walls, features a 2,000‑ton lifting capacity, and incorporates a barge bow to enable efficient towing. Master Boat will use the dock to launch recently constructed vessels. Previously, Master Boat rolled…

U.S. technology and shipbuilding startup Blue Water Autonomy has entered a production agreement with Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard to build its first class of autonomous surface vessels, marking a shift from research and development to real-world deployment.The announcement comes weeks after the Boston company, which designs highly producible unmanned ships for the U.S. Navy, raised its Series A, bringing total funding to $61 million, and underscores its push to deliver scalable unmanned ships that align with near-term U.S.

Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) Designs New York’s First Hybrid-Electric FerryWatch the full interview with David Turner, Projects Manager, Elliott Bay Design Group, on the technical highlights of the HARBOR CHARGER on Maritime Reporter TV:On August 12, 2025, The Trust for Governors Island unveiled the HARBOR CHARGER, New York State’s first hybrid-electric passenger vehicle ferry. Designed by Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) and constructed at Conrad Shipyard, the vessel represents a defining moment in New York’s maritime history.

Conrad Shipyard announced that its Amelia facility has achieved two consecutive years without a recordable incident. The Amelia facility is currently constructing YRBM vessels for the U.S. Navy, alongside projects for several valued commercial clients.This accomplishment reflects the dedication and commitment of Conrad’s employees to maintaining high standards of workplace safety. Achieving zero recordable incidents over a two-year period in a shipyard environment is no small…

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, the largest provider of dredging services in the United States, has taken delivery of its newest Jones Act-compliant hopper dredge, the Amelia Island from the Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana.The Amelia Island is specially designed for efficient and safe operations along shallow and narrow waters throughout all U.S. coastlines. The vessel is approximately 346 feet in length, 69 feet in breadth, 23 feet in depth with 16,500 total horsepower installed.

The Trust for Governors Island unveiled its new hybrid-electric ferry, the Harbor Charger, the first of its kind in New York State and aa addition to the Trust’s existing ferry fleet. The arrival of the new boat coincides with the 20-year anniversary of Governors Island opening to the public, as well as major recent progress in its development as a leading destination for climate research and education—marking a significant milestone in its transformation. The Harbor Charger was…

Conrad Shipyard won the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Safety Excellence Award in the Dredging Trade Partner category, a recognition that highlights Conrad's commitment to safety, operational excellence, and its partnership with the U.S. dredging industry. Presented late last month during the 2025 WEDA Annual Dredging Summit & Expo, it celebrates companies who demonstrate outstanding safety performance and continuous improvement in protecting personnel, property, and the environment.

Shipbuilding in the United States has seen a heightened profile with increased attention from Congress and the Trump 2.0 Administration. The ongoing dialogue regarding reinvigorating the U.S. deep sea fleet has brought mainstream attention to vessel construction, which has been nearly absent in recent years. In contrast, the marketplace for domestic vessel construction, for vessels serving rivers and harbors, is alive and well. Recent newbuilds for linehaul trades, and also Z-drive vessels for ship assist work, show the resilience of this sector.

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair industry, announced its annual member safety awards for the 2024 calendar year. This year, 14 shipyards are receiving awards for their achievements in safety. The shipbuilding industry continues to improve on safety metrics year after year. This commitment to safety has allowed U.S. shipyards to address and adapt their continuing operations to any obstacles that arose throughout the year.To qualify for an SCA Safety Award…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair industry, announced that Conrad Industries, Inc., parent company of Conrad Shipyard, received SCA’s annual “Excellence in Safety” Award, which is given for performance for the 2024 calendar year, honoring the shipyard for its enhancement of operations and promotion of safety and accident prevention.Recognized for its ongoing efforts to enhance workplace safety…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair industry, announced that Conrad Industries, Inc., parent company of Conrad Shipyard, received SCA’s annual “Excellence in Safety” Award for performance for the 2024 calendar year.Recognized for its ongoing efforts to enhance workplace safety, Conrad Shipyard is one of 14 shipyards recognized for advancing employee protection standards across the shipbuilding industry.Over the past decade…

The domestic passenger vessel answers the call for cleaner and more efficient platforms. It is truly an electric time to be a part of this niche industry.In the shadow of a rapidly changing political landscape, the domestic passenger ferry sector is nevertheless seeing an increasing number of newbuild vessel orders. Older fleet vessels, some approaching financial and operational obsolescence – also environmentally undesirable on a waterfront that more than ever demands cleaner carbon signatures – are going the way of the dinosaur.

Louisiana-based Conrad Industries announced a net income of $7.5 million for the quarter ending September 30, 2024.This compared to a $3.2 million loss during the third quarter of 2023. The company had net income of $11.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net loss of $14.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.The increase in net income is primarily due to improved gross profits in the company’s new construction segment and collection of a judgment in a lawsuit.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company on Friday held a naming ceremony for its new hopper dredge, Galveston Island.The newbuild is the first of two new 6,500-cubic-yard-capacity trailing suction hopper dredges (TSHD) being built by Conrad Shipyard for the United States' largest dredging contactor.The dredge is equipped with a direct high-power pump-ashore installation, dredging system automation, dynamic positioning and tracking, U.S. EPA Tier 4 compliant engines, and have capabilities of running on biofuel to minimize the environmental impact.

Conrad Shipyard announced it has delivered the first Yard, Repair, Berthing, Messing (YRBM) vessel to the U.S. Navy. The delivery took place at Conrad’s shipyard in Amelia, La., where the final inspection by key Navy officials took place.This YRBM vessel, the first in its class, was designed and constructed by Conrad Shipyard, featuring a new and innovative design tailored to meet the U.S. Navy’s operational needs. The vessel recently completed its acceptance trials during the…

Conrad Shipyard held a ceremony at its shipyard in Amelia, La. recognizing the first-of-class yard, repair, berthing, messing vessel (YRBM) it is building for the U.S. Navy.Scheduled for delivery to the Navy in San Diego later this year, YRBM-57 will serve as pierside living accommodations for U.S. Navy sailors. It is capable of berthing 199 mixed gender personnel, messing for 300 personnel and includes spaces for medical offices, classrooms, workspaces, laundry rooms, storerooms and lounge areas.Conrad senior vice president and Director Dan Conrad said…

Deliveries will begin in 2028 if all goes well. Delays and escalating costs have bedeviled the procurement process up until now.Washington State Ferries on Thursday published an invitation to bid on building five new hybrid-electric ferries, an overdue achievement that promises to eventually bring more reliability to cross-Sound ferry service.It’s the first time in more than 50 years that the state will accept bids from shipyards nationwide to construct its vessels. Going out to bid on this contract also represents a major step toward electrification of the WSF fleet.

Blake Powell, president at JMS Naval Architects, discusses his career, company and latest trends in naval architecture and marine engineering.Please give a brief professional bio, including education, experience and overview of current duties as president of JMS Naval Architects.I earned my degree in Naval Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley where I attended on a Navy ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as a Diving and Salvage Officer after I graduated.

If nothing else, building vessels in the U.S. is a complicated business.In a session on the domestic shipbuilding marketplace, at Marine Money’s late-November 2023 conference held in New Orleans, Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards (with more than a dozen facilities, in Mississippi and Louisiana), described his company’s architecture as a “three-legged stool approach: commercial newbuilds, government newbuilds and repair/conversion capabilities”.On the same panel…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry, today announced its annual member safety awards for the 2023 calendar year. This year, 18 shipyards are receiving awards for their achievements in safety. “Safety isn't just a priority; it's a fundamental pillar of our industrial base. These awards not only recognize excellence in safety practices but also show our industry's dedication to ensuring every worker returns home safely each day.

U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has exercised an option with Conrad Shipyard to build another Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barge.The award is a $18,484,619 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for the detail design and construction and  includes exercise of a design changes option.Work will be performed in Amelia, La., and is expected to be completed by June 2025. The new barge will be delivered to Norfolk, Va.The YRBM barge is an ABS A1 Accommodation Barge with a 151’-4” x 49’-4” x 14’ footprint.