Bollinger Shipyards acquires Gulf Island Fabrication’s shipyard facilities

Cements Bollinger’s position as the largest American privately-owned and operated shipbuilder in the United States
Transaction includes 437-acre waterfront facility with 198,000 sq. ft. of existing operations, fabrication and warehouse space, and 4 floating drydocks
Bollinger, a privately-held leading designer and builder of steel military and commercial vessels for the past three quarters of a century, today announced that it has acquired Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.’s (“Gulf Island”) (NASDAQ: GIFI) Shipyard facilities, expanding Bollinger’s new construction and repair capacity and capabilities to better serve its key defense and commercial customers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This acquisition creates expanded opportunities for Bollinger to better serve and deepen its relationships with key defense and commercial customers with an increased capacity for new projects and footprint, access to a larger workforce skilled in steel construction, improved efficiencies and enhanced economies of scale. Current customers for Bollinger include the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, General Dynamics-Electric Boat, and non-defense and commercial customers servicing energy production to dredging. Gulf Island had been building the Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) for the U.S. Navy and Regional Class Research Vessels for the National Science Foundation and Oregon State University. These projects conveyed with the transaction.
“The addition of the new Houma shipyard further strengthens our position within the U.S. defense industrial base as a leading shipbuilder and vessel repair company,” said Ben Bordelon, CEO and President of Bollinger Shipyards. “For 75 years, we’ve developed a deep expertise in and proven track record of building reliable, high endurance steel vessels for the Coast Guard, Navy and our commercial customers. As the needs of these customers change and grow, we are constantly looking for ways to invest in and expand our capabilities and innovative solutions so that we can continue to provide them with the highest levels of quality, support and service in our industry.”
Bordelon continued, “For three quarters of a century, Bollinger’s greatest strength has and continues to be our people and their American ingenuity and quality craftsmanship. I am excited to welcome the Gulf Island Shipyard employees into the Bollinger family. Together, we will ensure that the ‘Bollinger Standard’ will be the high bar we measure ourselves against for superior quality and safety as we work to deliver the next generation of American made high-performance vessels for our government and commercial customers.”
The new Bollinger Houma facility encompasses 437 acres on the west bank of the Houma Navigation Canal, of which 283 acres is unimproved land that is available for expansion. The facility includes 18,000 square feet of administrative and operations facilities, 160,000 square feet of covered fabrication facilities and 20,000 square feet of warehouse facilities. It also has 6,750 linear feet of water frontage, including 2,350 feet of steel bulkheads. Located just 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the strategic location provides short and unrestricted access to the newly acquired Houma facility from open waters.
The acquisition also includes a 15,000-short ton drydock, a 4,000-short ton drydock, a 3,000-short ton drydock and a 1,500-short ton drydock.
Bollinger’s acquisition increases the shipyard’s growing new construction and repair portfolio. In December of last year, Congress appropriated funds for Bollinger to build four additional Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC) for the U.S. Coast Guard. In addition to construction of the FRC, Bollinger is under contract to construct an Ocean Transport Barge and Floating Dry Dock for General Dynamics Electric Boat Division.In addition, Bollinger is participating in industry studies for five Government programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, the U.S. Navy’s Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP) program, the U.S. Navy’s Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS(X)) program, the U.S. Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle (LUSV) program and the U.S. Navy’s Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program.
Related News.
September 3, 2026
Cyprus Maritime Innovation takes Centre Stage at SMM Hamburg 2026
Underscoring its expanding role as a premier international hub for cutting-edge maritime technology and sustainable shipping, the Republic of Cyprus…
September 3, 2026
Trump seeks to refill US oil reserve with Venezuela deal but faces long delay
U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 30th (local time) that he would refill the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which has been depleted with…
September 3, 2026
US Navy Official visits South Korean Shipyards in private
With U.S. President Donald Trump pushing a plan to allow overseas construction of U.S. warships, attention is focusing on whether the building of…
September 3, 2026
SES and De Boer Marine expand collaboration with FlexMaritime deployment across Global Markets
SES, a leading space solutions company, and De Boer Marine, a leading provider of top-quality marine equipment and maritime connectivity services,…
September 3, 2026
New ESG guidance to help maritime industry turn sustainability into commercial advantage
New framework helps shipowners and ports align ESG strategy with access to capital, charterer expectations and long-term asset value. Maritime…
September 3, 2026
Britannia P&I Club analysis finds four in five crew deaths linked to illness rather than accidents
New report highlights cardiovascular disease as leading cause of fatalities and raises concerns over mental health risks among younger seafarers.…
September 3, 2026
The Swedish Club launches new Loss Prevention podcast, Knot Another Lesson
The Swedish Club has launched Knot Another Lesson, a new podcast exploring the practical lessons, emerging risks and operational challenges shaping…
September 3, 2026
Lloyd’s Register appoints Jens Grunenberg as Senior Representative for Germany
Lloyd’s Register has appointed Jens Grunenberg as its Senior Representative for Germany, effective 1 September. Based in Hamburg, Grunenberg will…
September 3, 2026
Indian Register of Shipping sets sights on Hamburg for European Expansion
Indian Register of Shipping, a leading international classification society and full member of the International Association of Classification…
September 3, 2026
MOL completes Merger of 6 Ship Management Companies
Unifying Management of Over 200 Vessels and Strengthening Safety Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced that it has completed the integration of the MOL…
Subscribe to our newsletter!
if you dont want to swim alone in the ocean of news, sign up for the newsletter, and you will receive daily all the important news of world shipping!
Design & Development by P.KAN.DESIGNER
© 2026 Cyprus Shipping News. All rights reserved
Design & Development by P.KAN.DESIGNER
© 2026 Cyprus Shipping News. All rights reserved























