Bollinger Shipyyards
Bollinger Shipyards is an American privately held shipbuilding and repair company based in Lockport, Louisiana. The company was founded in 1946 by Donald G. Bollinger, and it has since grown to become one of the largest privately-owned shipbuilders in the United States. Bollinger Shipyards specializes in the construction and repair of vessels for both military and commercial markets.
Key Aspects of Bollinger Shipyards:
Facilities:
- Bollinger operates multiple shipyards and drydocks along the Gulf Coast, primarily in Louisiana and Texas. These facilities are strategically located to support a wide range of maritime customers.
Products and Services:
- Military Vessels: Bollinger is known for its work with the U.S. Coast Guard, building vessels such as the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs).
- Commercial Vessels: The company constructs a variety of commercial vessels including offshore supply vessels (OSVs), tugs, barges, and more.
- Repairs and Conversions: Bollinger provides comprehensive repair, maintenance, and conversion services for a wide range of vessels.
Quality and Innovation:
- Bollinger Shipyards is noted for its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The company invests in advanced technologies and a skilled workforce to maintain high standards in shipbuilding and repair services.
Customers:
- The company's clientele includes the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, and other military entities, as well as commercial companies in the oil and gas, maritime transportation, and other industries.
Workforce:
- Bollinger employs a diverse and skilled workforce, including engineers, welders, fabricators, and other maritime professionals. Employee training and safety are important aspects of the company's operations.
Leadership:
- The company has remained family-owned since its inception. Leadership has passed through generations, maintaining a strong focus on the founding principles of quality, integrity, and community.
Community and Environmental Responsibility:
- Bollinger Shipyards is committed to environmental stewardship and community involvement. The company participates in various initiatives to protect the environment and support local communities.
In summary, Bollinger Shipyards is a significant player in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, known for its high-quality construction and repair services, long-standing relationship with the U.S. military, and commitment to innovation and community.
Marine Vessels
- Phone: 504-499-7705
- Web: www.bollingershipyards.com
Locations
Bollinger Shipyards News
Bollinger 58th Delivers FRC to USCG
Bollinger Shipyards announced the delivery of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) John Witherspoon at Coast Guard Sector Key West. This is the 58th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) delivered under the U.S. Coast Guard's current program and the 184th vessel built by Bollinger for the U.S. Coast Guard over a 40-year partnership and will be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska. The John Witherspoon will be homeported in Kodiak, Alaska.
Bollinger Lays Keel for New Rocket Transport Vessel
Bollinger Shipyards officially laid the keel for the R/S SpaceShip on October 24, 2024. The event, held at Bollinger Marine Fabricators, was attended by key executives, including Tory Bruno, President and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards.The R/S SpaceShip is set to be the second vessel in ULA’s maritime fleet, designed specifically to transport Vulcan rockets from their manufacturing facility in Decatur…
Bollinger to Build Seventh US Navy Berthing Barge
Bollinger Shipyards has been awarded a contract to build the U.S. Navy’s seventh Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL 73) Class berthing and messing barge. The contract award is for a fixed-price option for the detail design and construction of the vessel. "We’re honored to be entrusted by the U.S. Navy to continue building these critical vessels that improve the quality of life for our sailors,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards.
Bollinger Names Hinkebein Director of Government Affairs
Bollinger Shipyards announced that Andrew Hinkebein has been named Director of Government Affairs and will lead all state and local government relations efforts. Hinkebein will join the Government & External Affairs division of Bollinger Shipyards under EVP Geoffrey Green, where he will collaborate with community and economic development partners to continue driving the company’s growth and success across the Gulf Coast.The announcement was made by Ben Bordelon…
USCG Commissions First Pacific Northwest Fast Response Cutter
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned its 56th Fast Response Cutter and first one to be stationed in the Pacific Northwest during a ceremony held in Astoria, Ore., Thursday, marking the vessel's official entry into active service.Built by Bollinger Shipyards and delivered to the Coast Guard earlier this year, the Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC-1156) is the first of three planned Fast Response Cutter’s (FRC) to be homeported in Astoria.The ceremony was presided by Vice Adm.
Bollinger Launches 'Shipfitter Bootcamp'
Bollinger Shipyards recently kicked off its inaugural Shipfitter Bootcamp, a workforce development initiative alongside Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), the South Mississippi Planning & Development District and AccelerateMS that will recruit, hire, and train the next generation of skilled shipbuilders. Through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, students will learn the essential functions that are required to become a Shipfitter in a 14-week program.
US Navy Christens USNS Cherokee Nation
Bollinger Shipyards on Saturday hosted a ceremony at Bollinger Houma to christen the U.S. Navy’s newest towing, rescue and salvage ship (T-ATS) USNS Cherokee Nation.The Hon. Franklin Parker, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs joined ship’s sponsor and Deputy Speaker of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, the Hon. Victoria Mitchell Vazquez and Matron of Honor, Kailey Beth…
ULA Orders Rocket Transport Ship from Bollinger
American aerospace manufacturer ULA on Wednesday announced it has ordered a new ship to transport rockets from its factory in Decatur, Ala. to launch sites at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.ULA said it awarded a contract to build the 356-foot-long roll-on/roll-off vessel to Bollinger Shipyards, who recently started constructing the new ship at its shipyard in Amelia, La.
Bollinger Names Andy Naquin Sales VP
Bollinger Shipyards announced it has promoted Andrew “Andy” Naquin to lead its sales team as the company's new Vice President of Sales.“Since joining Bollinger, Andy has been an invaluable addition to our team,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “His deep experience and breadth of relationships in the maritime industry are second to none, and I know he’ll continue to deliver…
Marine News' 2024 US Shipbuilding Report
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…
Bollinger Lays Keel for USNS Muscogee Creek Nation
Bollinger Shipyards announced it has laid the keel for the future USNS Muscogee Creek Nation at its yard in Houma, La.The vessel is the 10th Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS) and the fifth T-ATS vessel being constructed by Bollinger since acquiring the program in April of 2021.The keel authenticators were the Hon. David W. Hill, Principal Chief of the Muscogee Creek Nation, the Hon.
Bollinger Delivers Fast Response Cutter David Duren
Bollinger Shipyards recently delivered the USCGC David Duren to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Fla. This is the 182nd vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 56th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) delivered under the current program.“We’re incredibly proud to deliver the USCGC David Duren, the first of three Fast Response Cutters to be homeported in Astoria, Oregon,” said Bollinger President & CEO Ben Bordelon.
New International Partnership Set to Speed Up Offshore Wind Installations in US
Danish offshore marine services company Maersk Supply Service and U.S. vessel owner Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) have partnered up for the construction and operation of a windfarm feeder concept specifically designed for Maersk Supply Service’s next-generation wind installation vessel (WIV).The purpose-built feeder spread includes two tugs and two barges to be delivered in 2026. They will be owned…
Bollinger Delivers US Navy Berthing Barge
Last week, Bollinger Shipyards delivered the first Bollinger-built Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) Class berthing and messing barge (APL 71) to the U.S. Navy. APL 71 is the fifth vessel of its class to be delivered to the Navy and the third to be homeported in Norfolk, Va.The previous four APLs were built and delivered by VT Halter Marine, which Bollinger acquired in late 2022. Halter received…
Bollinger Delivers USCGC Melvin Bell to the US Coast Guard
Bollinger Shipyards on Thursday announced it has delivered the USCGC Melvin Bell to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Fla. This is the 181st vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 55th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) delivered under the current program.“We’re incredibly proud to deliver the USCGC Melvin Bell, the final of six Fast Response Cutters to be homeported in Boston, the birthplace of the U.S.
Harland & Wolff's US Subsidiary Secures Maiden Contract
UK-based Harland & Wolff Group said Tuesday that its recently opened Miami-based office had been awarded its first contract for circa $1.5 million.Under the contract, the company will support TampaShip - part of the Edison Chouest Group, based in Tampa, Florida - in the completion of the construction of a floating dock for the Bollinger shipyard facility in the Gulf of Mexico.Fabrication work has started…
Schneider Named Engineering Director at Bollinger Mississippi Shipyard
Bollinger Shipyards announced it has hired Nathan Schneider as Director of Engineering for its Bollinger Mississippi Shipyard (BMS). As Director of Engineering, Schneider will be responsible for leading the BMS Engineering Department in support of various Department of Defense and commercial new construction programs.“As we continue to grow and expand to meet the changing needs of our customers, it’s…
US Navy Taps Bollinger to Build Four More Mine Countermeasure USVs
The U.S. Navy has awarded Bollinger Shipyards a contract to build four additional Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessels (MCM USV). This brings the total number of vessels under contract up to seven, with options for up to 18 more vessels.“Bollinger is honored to be entrusted by the U.S. Navy to continue building the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessel program,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “Our skilled workforce is second to none.
Markey Wins Deal to Refurbish Winches for NOAA Research Vessel
Seattle-based deck machinery company Markey Machine said it has recently secured a contract from Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding for winch refurbishment aboard NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown. The three Markey oceanographic winches that have been aboard for 27 years will receive varied upgrades.“NOAA is working to maximize the service life of each of its vessels, in part by investing in mid-life repairs,” said Jamie LeCompte, NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown project manager.
Birdon Taps Master Boat Builders to Build WCC Superstructure
Birdon America announced it has selected Coden, Ala. shipbuilder Master Boat Builders to build the superstructures for the U.S. Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program.In 2022, Birdon was awarded a contract worth up to $1.187 billion to design and build up to 27 new vessels under the WCC program, including 16 River Buoy Tenders (WLR) and 11 Inland Construction Tenders (WLIC). The vessels…
