Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is a prominent American shipbuilding company headquartered in Panama City, Florida. Founded in 1976 by Brian D'Isernia, the company has grown to become one of the largest private shipbuilders in the United States. Eastern Shipbuilding Group specializes in designing, constructing, and repairing various types of vessels, including commercial, government, and offshore support vessels.
Key Areas of Focus:
Commercial Vessels: The company builds a diverse range of commercial ships, including tugboats, towboats, offshore supply vessels (OSVs), and cargo ships.
Government Vessels: Eastern Shipbuilding works with various governmental and military entities to produce ships like cutters and patrol vessels.
Offshore Vessels: The firm constructs offshore support and service vessels that cater to the offshore oil and gas industry.
Repair and Maintenance: In addition to building new ships, Eastern Shipbuilding Group also offers repair and maintenance services for vessels, ensuring they remain seaworthy and in optimal condition.
Facilities: The company operates multiple shipbuilding facilities, with major yards located in Panama City and Port St. Joe, Florida. These facilities are equipped with modern infrastructure, including dry docks, fabrication shops, and outfitting areas, allowing for efficient construction and repair processes.
Notable Projects: Eastern Shipbuilding Group has been involved in several high-profile projects over the years. One of the most significant is the contract with the United States Coast Guard to design and construct the Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs). This program aims to replace the aging fleet of Medium Endurance Cutters with new, more capable vessels.
Workforce: The company employs a skilled workforce comprising engineers, designers, fabricators, and other professionals who contribute to various aspects of shipbuilding and repair. Their expertise ensures that Eastern Shipbuilding Group can deliver high-quality, reliable vessels.
Reputation: Eastern Shipbuilding Group has built a strong reputation within the maritime industry for delivering robust, well-designed ships that meet specific customer requirements. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has enabled them to forge long-term relationships with clients globally.
Overall, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. stands out as a key player in the American shipbuilding industry, recognized for its capabilities in constructing a wide array of vessels that serve commercial, governmental, and industrial needs.
- Phone: 850-763-1900
- Web: www.easternshipbuilding.com
- Fax: 850-763-7904
Locations
Eastern Shipbuilding Group News
Dutra Group Orders New Hopper Dredge from Eastern Shipbuilding Group

The Dutra Group, a California-based heavy civil marine contractor, has issued a notice to proceed to Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) for the construction of a 10,464 cubic yard trailing suction hopper dredge, named Adele.The ship will be constructed at ESG's Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities. Delivery is scheduled for late 2028.The Adele will join The Dutra Group’s 9,870 cubic yard trailing suction…
DOD Officials Visits Eastern Shipbuilding

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has welcomed (Acting) Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RDA) Dr. Brett Seidle, Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, Program Executive Officer for Ships (PEO Ships), and several key Department of Defense (DOD) officials to its shipyard this week.As a leader in America’s maritime industry, ESG remains committed to supporting the nation’s defense initiatives and strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding sector.
An (Electric) Jolt for the Passenger Vessel Industry

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…
ESG Delivers LI Ferry to McAllister Subsidiary

PANAMA CITY, FL – Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) announced the successful delivery of the LONG ISLAND (ESG Hull 228), a newly constructed passenger and auto ferry, to the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, a subsidiary of McAllister Towing. The vessel, designed to provide seamless transportation between Bridgeport, CT, and Port Jefferson, NY, across Long Island Sound, is the latest addition to the company’s fleet."This delivery is a proud moment for our team…
ESG Cuts Steel for Saltchuck Escort Tugs

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) reached an exciting milestone today, initiating steel cutting for the first of four advanced escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine at its Allanton Facility. Attending the ceremony were key members of Saltchuk's leadership team. These high-performance vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2026."Our team is excited to begin construction on these state-of-the-art escort tugs for Saltchuk," said Joey D’Isernia, Chairman and CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.
Schottel Propulsion for Four New Saltchuk Escort Tugs

Schottel won an order to supply azimuthing thrusters for four new escort tugs for Seattle-based Saltchuk Marine, the beginning of the renewal of the Saltchuk fleet for operations on the US West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska.To be built by Eastern Shipbuilding, the vessels are a RApport 2600 design by Canadian naval architect Robert Allan and will measure 25.6 x 12.8m with a 5.5-m draft. Accommodation will be provided for eight persons…
Eastern Shipbuilding Group Launches Second 'Coastline Initiative'

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has kicked off its second annual Coastline Initiative, a creative competition inviting local students to design innovative artificial reefs aimed at restoring coastal ecosystems. This initiative, in collaboration with the Bay County Artificial Reef Association (BCARA) and the University of Florida IFAS Extension, emphasizes environmental preservation while enhancing…
Eastern Shipbuilding Cuts First Steel for New Fisher Island Ferry Vessel

Panama City, Fla. based shipbuilder Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Friday announced it has officially cut first steel for the new Fisher Island Ferry, Falcon, at its Allanton Facility.The Elliott Bay Design Group-designed auto and passenger ferry will be constructed at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is expected for delivery in Spring 2026. The 152-foot (loa) vessel will have capacity…
Three Shipyards Expected to Compete for Washington State Ferries Vessel Construction Contracts

Three shipyards have expressed interest in building a long-awaited series of new hybrid-electric car and passenger vessels for Washington State Ferries (WSF).Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash.; Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla. and Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia have sent pre-qualification packages after WSF earlier this year invited shipbuilders to bid, Washington State Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey…
Royal Van der Leun to Equip USACE's New Hopper Dredge

Royal Van der Leun, based in the Netherlands, announced it will supply equipment for a new hopper dredge being built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla., for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the 320-foot vessel, with a hopper capacity of 6,000 cubic yards will join the USACE’s Ready Reserve Fleet, replacing the USACE Philadelphia District's high-powered deep draft hopper dredge McFarland…
US National Maritime Strategy Needs to Empower Tier 2 Shipyards

A few weeks ago, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter spotted several Chinese military ships within the U.S. exclusive economic zone just 200 nautical miles off the shores of Alaska. This incident underscores how brazen our adversaries are becoming in the face of a diminished U.S. maritime presence. China’s brazen actions are backed by the world’s largest naval fleet that they have accumulated over the past several years while our maritime capacity has declined.
Eastern to Build New Tugs for Saltchuk

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Monday announced it has been awarded a contract to construct four new escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine's Foss Maritime. The vessels will be built at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities, in Florida, with delivery expected in 2026.The order marks the beginning of Saltchuk Marine’s long-term fleet renewal project, with the new tugs set to support West Coast port…
ESG Wins Contract to Build Fisher Island Ferry

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) won a contract to build a new auto and passenger ferry for the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) in Florida. The vessel will be built at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is expected for delivery in Spring 2026.“Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) delivered the vehicle passenger ferry HERON to the Fisher Island Community Association, Inc. (FICA) over 20 years ago, and we understand that she has been the most reliable ferry in their fleet.
ESG Invests in Shipbuilding Infrastructure

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) commenced phase two of a itsinfrastructure improvement project at its Nelson Street government shipbuilding facility, a phase which includes the construction of 1,000 linear feet of additional bulkhead and berthing space, installation of associated heavy weather mooring infrastructure, the extension of the launch facility by 120 feet to increase the total launch way length to over 500 feet…
Unfinished Hornbeck MPSV Arrives at Eastern for Build Completion

The first of two incomplete ultra high-spec multipurpose support vessels (MPSV) has arrived at Eastern Shipbuilding Group's Port St. Joe Shipyard, where the builder will finish constructing the vessel for Hornbeck Offshore Services.Earlier this year, Eastern secured a contract to complete construction of the two 400 class MPSVs after Hornbeck terminated the original build contracts with Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La. in 2018 over what it described as "performance issues".
New Long Island Ferry Launched at Eastern Shipbuilding

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Friday held a launch and christening ceremony for the ferry Long Island at its Allanton Shipyard in Panama City, Fla.Scheduled to be delivered later this year, the new Subchapter H passenger and auto ferry is being built for Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, a subsidiary of McAllister Towing, for operations between Bridgeport, Conn., and Port Jefferson, N.Y., traversing the Long Island Sound.
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…
Eastern Partners with Royal IHC to Build USACE Hopper Dredge

U.S. shipbuilder Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc (ESG) on Wednesday announced it is teaming up with Dutch shipbuilding group Royal IHC to design and construct a highly automated hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).The diesel-electric vessel, contracted for the Department of Defense, will be constructed at ESG's Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities in Florida for scheduled delivery in 2027.The new 6…
Eastern Awarded Contract to Complete MPSV Builds for Hornbeck

Panama City Fla. based Eastern Shipbuilding Group announced it has been awarded a contract to complete construction of two ultra high-spec 400 class multipurpose support vessels (MPSVs) for Hornbeck Offshore Services (HOS).The newbuilds were originally started by Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La. before Hornbeck terminated the contracts in 2018 over what it described as "performance issues". Gulf Island then sued Hornbeck…
USCG's New Cutters Can’t Arrive Soon Enough

The much-needed replacement for the U.S. Coast Guard’s long-serving medium endurance cutters (WMEC) took a giant step closer to joining the fleet as the first Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) was launched and christened at Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) in Panama City, Fla. on October 27, 2023.The future USCGC Argus (WMSM 915) was christened by the ship’s sponsor, Captain (Ret.) Beverly Kelley, the first woman to command a U.S.