Shipyard in Focus: Conrad Shipyard
Parker Conrad, a shipbuilding pioneer and a legend along the Gulf of Mexico coast and beyond, founded Conrad Shipyard in 1948.
The company, headquartered in Morgan City, Louisiana, is now a public company with new generations of Conrad’s at the helm.
“I grew up in the shipyard working side by side with my father,” said Johnny Conrad, President, Chairman and CEO explains. “I saw firsthand how he treated customers, and how his handshake was as good as a contract. Many of our current customers did business with Parker, and not only are they valued customers, but they have become lifelong friends,” he said. “They trust me to do what’s right by them, and it is a responsibility that I take personally.”
Conrad designs, builds and overhauls tugboats, ferries, liftboats, barges, offshore supply vessels and other steel and aluminum products for both commercial and government markets. Conrad provides repair and new construction services at its five Gulf Coast shipyards located in southern Louisiana and Texas.
Conrad Shipyard facilities are expansive and equipped with cutting-edge computerized manufacturing technology. During the last six years, Conrad Shipyard has invested $64.4 million in capital improvements to its five shipyards, including new manufacturing buildings, automated Panel Line, CNC manufacturing equipment, and the development of infrastructure at the company’s Deepwater South shipyard. Current vessels under construction include: ATB Tugs; Offshore Tank Barges; Crane and Construction Barges; Inland Deck Barges; Deck Barges; and an LNG Bunker Barge.
Conrad also has numerous vessels undergoing repairs—ranging from small inland towboats to large vessels from the dredging and construction industries. It has a seasoned and motivated workforce and an experienced in-house multi-disciplined engineering staff.