American maritime strength depends on robust domestic shipbuilding in the US. From aircraft carriers protecting national security to commercial vessels moving cargo across oceans, shipyards in the USA form the backbone of naval power and economic vitality.

The United States maintains 154 private shipyards classified as active builders, spread across 29 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Another 300+ facilities handle repairs and possess shipbuilding capability but focus primarily on maintenance work. According to a 2021 MARAD report titled "The Economic Importance of the U.S. Private Shipbuilding and Repairing Industry," the domestic shipbuilding and repair sector directly provided 107,180 jobs, $9.9 billion in labor income, and $12.2 billion in GDP to the national economy in 2019.

For maritime professionals, fleet managers, and procurement officers working with shipyards in the United States, understanding which facilities specialize in what capabilities affects everything from contract bidding to vessel documentation requirements. Since 1977, American Nautical Services has supported the maritime industry with comprehensive solutions for vessel compliance, from regulatory publications to navigational software solutions.

What Are the Major Shipyards in the USA?

Shipyards in the USA fall into several categories based on capability and specialization. Major facilities construct everything from nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to commercial tankers, while specialized yards focus on particular vessel types like ferries, tugboats, or patrol craft.

The largest shipyards in the US typically possess:

• Extensive physical infrastructure: Multiple drydocks, building ways, fabrication facilities, and deep-water berths capable of handling vessels exceeding 1,000 feet in length.

• Heavy-lift equipment: Portal cranes, floating drydocks, and specialized transfer systems that move modular ship sections weighing thousands of tons.

• Skilled workforce: Thousands of welders, pipefitters, electricians, engineers, and specialized tradespeople with security clearances for defense work.

• Certification and quality systems: ISO 9001 certification, defense contractor status, and compliance with military specifications. American Nautical Services operates under ISO 9001 certification similar to leading shipyards, ensuring quality processes throughout operations.

• Design and engineering capability: In-house naval architecture, structural engineering, and systems integration teams that can take vessels from concept through delivery.

Major shipyard builders concentrate in coastal areas with deep-water access, though some significant facilities operate on the Great Lakes and major rivers. Geographic distribution reflects both historical shipbuilding traditions and strategic proximity to naval bases.

Top 10 U.S. Shipyard Builders Ranked by Capability

Shipbuilding companies in the US vary significantly in specialization, capacity, and market focus. Here are the ten major facilities shaping American maritime strength.

1. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)

Location: Corporate headquarters in Virginia, with two major divisions

Divisions:

• Newport News Shipbuilding (Newport News, Virginia)

• Ingalls Shipbuilding (Pascagoula, Mississippi)

• Mission Technologies (fleet support and IT solutions)

Specialization: Nuclear aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, amphibious warships, Coast Guard cutters.

Notable capability: Only builder of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers; over 800 vessels delivered throughout company history

Workforce: Combined approximately 37,000 employees across divisions

HII stands as America's largest military shipbuilding company, with multi-decade backlogs for aircraft carriers and submarines. The company's vertical integration spans from initial design through decades of maintenance and refueling overhauls.

For vessels requiring hazardous materials transport—common in naval auxiliary roles crews need current dangerous goods regulations. The IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 2024 Edition provides updated guidance valid for three years from publication. Naval auxiliary operators particularly benefit from understanding how military exemptions interact with international shipping regulations.

2. General Dynamics NASSCO

Location: San Diego, California (main yard), with service centers in Norfolk, Virginia; Mayport, Florida; and Bremerton, Washington

Specialization: Auxiliary and support vessels for U.S. Navy; commercial tankers and dry cargo vessels

Notable capability: Only full-service shipyard on the U.S. West Coast offering comprehensive construction and fleet services

Physical capacity: 86 acres of land, 47 acres of water, 35-foot channel depth, eight berths ranging 600-1,000 feet

Infrastructure: Nine portal cranes, floating drydock, ten assembly areas, five production workshops, two inclined building ways

Production history: Approximately 70 U.S. Navy ships and 53 commercial vessels since the 1960s

NASSCO's strategic West Coast location makes the facility essential for Pacific Fleet support. The yard builds both combat logistics force ships for military use and Jones Act-compliant commercial vessels for domestic trade.

Commercial operators utilizing NASSCO-built vessels benefit from publications like the Storck Guide 2022 Edition, which provides historical reference alongside current tanker operational guidance. Understanding vessel-specific requirements helps operators maintain regulatory compliance across domestic and international routes.

3. Fincantieri Marine Group

Locations: Three Great Lakes facilities in Wisconsin

Divisions:

• Fincantieri Marinette Marine (Marinette, Wisconsin)

• Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin)

• Fincantieri ACE Marine (Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin)

Specialization: Small surface combatants, Coast Guard vessels, commercial vessels, aluminum patrol craft

Notable capability: Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships, Constellation-class guided-missile frigates

Recent investment: $300 million capital expansion completed in recent years

Production history: Over 1,500 vessels constructed since Marinette facility opened in 1942

Fincantieri represents Italian shipbuilding expertise applied to American naval requirements. The moving module production line at Marinette enables efficient delivery of complex warships. Bay Shipbuilding focuses on commercial and Coast Guard work, recently constructing the two largest LNG bunker barges built in the U.S.

4. Bath Iron Works

Location: Bath, Maine

Owner: General Dynamics (subsidiary)

Specialization: Aegis destroyers, surface combatants

Notable capability: Lead yard for Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) class destroyers; more surface combatants delivered than any U.S. yard

Production history: 425+ vessels since 1884, including lead ships for 12 non-nuclear surface combatant classes

Innovation: Land Level Transfer Facility for modular construction

Employment: Largest private-sector employer in Maine

Bath Iron Works' focus on surface combatants has made the facility synonymous with U.S. destroyer production. The yard introduced modular construction techniques that reduce build time by manufacturing outfitted ship sections off the building way, then rapidly assembling and launching complete vessels.

5. Austal USA

Location: Blakely Island, Mobile, Alabama, with service centers in San Diego and Singapore

Specialization: High-speed vessels, aluminum ships, Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships

Notable capability: Moving module production line for aluminum vessels; advanced automation

Current contracts: Heritage-class Coast Guard cutters, Landing Craft Utility vessels, Towing/Salvage/Rescue ships, Expeditionary Medical Ships

Safety record: 27 safety excellence awards; one of the safest shipyards in America

Growth: Started with under 100 employees on 14 acres; now major defense contractor

Austal pioneered aluminum naval construction in the U.S., bringing Australian high-speed ferry expertise to military applications. The Independence-class LCS represents a controversial but innovative approach to littoral warfare, emphasizing speed and modularity.

6. Hanwha Philly Shipyard

Location: Former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania

Owner: Hanwha Group (South Korean, acquired 2024)

Former name: Philly Shipyard, Inc.; Aker Philadelphia Shipyard

Specialization: Commercial and government vessels; tankers, container ships, auxiliary vessels

Physical capacity: 118 acres at confluence of Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers

Notable capability: Jones Act-compliant commercial vessels; accessibility to Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean

Recent deliveries: Multiple commercial tankers and container vessels; ongoing government contracts

Hanwha Philly represents international investment in American commercial shipbuilding. The facility focuses on large commercial vessels meeting Jones Act requirements for domestic trade, plus government auxiliary ships supporting fleet operations.

For hazardous cargo operations common aboard tankers and chemical carriers built at facilities like Hanwha Philly, comprehensive dangerous goods guidance proves essential. The IMDG Code 42-24, 49 CFR 100-185 2024 with ERG provides integrated U.S. and international regulations with Emergency Response Guidebook, giving crews complete reference for hazmat transport compliance.

7. Vigor Industrial

Location: Portland, Oregon (main facility), with locations throughout Pacific Northwest and Alaska

Facilities: 12 locations, 10 drydocks, over 17,000 feet of pier space

Specialization: Commercial vessel construction and repair; workboats, barges, tugs, fishing vessels, ferries

Notable capability: 60-acre Portland facility with three drydocks and 15 piers; largest fabrication capacity on West Coast

Infrastructure: 800-foot oversized buildway, 150,000 square feet of fabrication bays, 13 cranes

Employment: Over 2,500 professionals across all locations

Vigor serves commercial maritime operators and provides extensive repair services for military vessels. The company's Alaska operations support fishing fleets and offshore industry, while Pacific Northwest facilities handle everything from tugboat construction to cruise ship repairs.

8. Bollinger Shipyards

Location: Multiple facilities throughout Louisiana and Mississippi

History: Founded 1946; 78 years of family ownership (third generation)

Specialization: Coast Guard cutters, Navy patrol boats, offshore support vessels, workboats, barges

Production history: Delivered well over 1,000 vessels since founding

Notable capability: Direct access to Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River, and Intracoastal Waterway from 11 facilities

Market focus: Government patrol craft, offshore oil industry support, commercial workboats

Bollinger started as a small machine shop serving agriculture and oil industries, growing into a major government contractor. The company's Coast Guard cutter programs and Navy patrol boat construction sustain Gulf Coast shipbuilding employment.

9. Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding

Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Physical capacity: 63-acre facility custom-designed for major construction and conversions

History: Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay since 1918, under various ownerships

Specialization: Commercial vessels, Coast Guard ships, Great Lakes freighters

Recent notable work: MV Mark W. Barker (modern Lake freighter launched 2024); 5,400 m³ LNG bunker barges for European cruise vessels

Historic capability: Product tankers, container vessels, offshore support vessels, ferries

Bay Shipbuilding's Great Lakes location protects construction from severe ocean weather while providing direct access to inland waterway commerce. The facility recently returned to Great Lakes freighter construction after decades focused on ocean-going vessels.

10. Chesapeake Shipbuilding

Location: Salisbury, Maryland

History: Over 30 years in operation

Specialization: Small commercial vessels for inland and coastal waters

Vessel types: Passenger vessels, tugboats, ferries, restaurant boats, oil supply boats, small cruise ships

Physical capacity: 13-acre facility with two construction basins, three launch systems, ground transfer system

Notable capability: Largest coastal cruise ships meeting U.S. Coast Guard and SOLAS regulations

Market focus: Custom-designed vessels for specific operator requirements

Chesapeake occupies an important niche building specialized vessels for domestic operators. The facility's coastal cruise ships support the growing expedition cruise market, while tugboat and ferry construction serves regional transportation needs.

For operators of smaller commercial vessels built at yards like Chesapeake, maintaining proper logbooks remains just as critical as for major naval vessels. The SPICA Logbooks program provides essential updates for any vessel carrying hazardous materials, regardless of vessel size. Even small commercial operators face serious penalties for documentation failures during port state inspections.

How U.S. Shipbuilding Companies Support Maritime Compliance

Shipbuilding in the US operates under extensive regulatory oversight ensuring vessels meet safety, environmental, and security standards before delivery. However, compliance obligations continue throughout a vessel's operational life.

Construction Documentation Requirements

Vessels built at shipyards in the United States receive comprehensive construction documentation including:

• Classification society approvals: American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) or other recognized classification societies certify structural integrity and systems compliance

• Flag state certificates: U.S. Coast Guard certificates for American-flagged vessels, confirming compliance with all applicable regulations

• International convention compliance: SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, Tonnage, and other convention certificates as applicable

• Builder's trials documentation: Performance test results, inclination tests, machinery trials, and acceptance criteria

• As-built drawings: Complete vessel plans reflecting actual construction, essential for future modifications and repairs

Mastering Marine Engineering and Architecture

Understanding the intricate engineering behind contemporary vessels is crucial for safety, efficiency, and operational excellence. American Nautical Services supports marine engineers, naval architects, and maritime students with a comprehensive library of Marine Engineering references. 

For foundational technical knowledge, we supply essential textbooks such as Introduction to Marine Engineering (2nd Edition) and Principles of Naval Engineering. Professionals focusing on design and onboard power systems should consult the Principles of Naval Architecture Series and Ship Electrical Systems (2nd Edition). Furthermore, for a complete overview of modern vessel technology and construction, Dokmar Ship Knowledge (2024) is a vital addition to any ship's library.

Operational Compliance Obligations

Once vessels enter service, operators must maintain:

• Updated charts and publications: Charts, Sailing Directions, Notices to Mariners, and regulatory references current to latest editions

• Safety equipment: Firefighting systems, lifesaving appliances, navigation equipment meeting carriage requirements

• Training records: Crew certifications, drills, and competency documentation

• Maintenance documentation (logbooks): Planned maintenance systems, machinery logs, and classification society surveys

• Cargo-specific requirements: For vessels transporting dangerous goods, comprehensive IMDG Code compliance including segregation tables, stowage requirements, and emergency procedures

American Nautical Services supports vessel operators with complete documentation solutions. The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 67th Edition 2026 with IMDG Code 42-24 provides integrated air and sea dangerous goods regulations, particularly valuable for vessels interfacing with air cargo or operating in multi-modal transport chains.

Why Compliance Documentation Matters

Inadequate documentation leads to:

• Port state detentions: Vessels held until deficiencies corrected, causing expensive delays and reputation damage

• Insurance claim denials: Policies may exclude coverage if proper documentation not maintained

• Civil penalties: Coast Guard and flag state fines for regulatory violations

• Criminal liability: Serious violations, particularly environmental offenses, can result in criminal prosecution

• Commercial consequences: Charterers avoid vessels with poor compliance records; cargo owners demand proof of proper certification

For fleet managers overseeing vessels from multiple shipyard builders, standardized documentation processes prevent gaps. American Nautical Services provides centralized solutions helping operators track publication updates, certification renewals, and training requirements across entire fleets.

Supporting American Maritime Excellence

Shipyards in the United States represent more than industrial facilities. These shipyard builders sustain American naval power, enable domestic commerce, and employ skilled tradespeople in family-sustaining careers. From Norfolk to San Diego, Bath to Pascagoula, American shipbuilders craft vessels protecting national interests and moving global trade.

For maritime professionals operating vessels built at these facilities, maintaining proper documentation and staying current with regulatory requirements ensures safe, compliant operations throughout a vessel's service life.

Since 1977, American Nautical Services has supported the maritime industry with comprehensive solutions spanning charts, publications, training, and digital navigation platforms. Whether you operate commercial vessels, manage government fleets, or captain superyachts, ANS provides the documentation and expertise keeping operations compliant.

Need guidance on vessel documentation requirements, publication updates, or compliance solutions? Contact our maritime specialists for personalized support tailored to your vessel type, flag state, and operational profile. From construction documentation to operational references, American Nautical Services delivers the full-spectrum solutions maritime professionals rely on for safe, efficient, compliant operations.

FAQs

Q1. How many shipyards operate in the United States?

The United States has 154 private shipyards classified as active builders spread across 29 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus over 300 additional facilities capable of shipbuilding but primarily focused on repair work. Major naval shipbuilding concentrates at facilities owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries, General Dynamics, Fincantieri, and Austal USA.

Q2. What types of vessels do U.S. shipyards construct?

American shipyards in the USA build nuclear aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, amphibious assault ships, Coast Guard cutters, commercial tankers, container vessels, ferries, tugboats, offshore support vessels, fishing boats, and specialized craft. Military construction dominates major yards, while smaller facilities focus on commercial and workboat markets.

Q3. Can foreign companies own U.S. shipyards?

Foreign ownership is allowed for commercial shipbuilding facilities, as demonstrated by Italian-owned Fincantieri Marine Group and Korean-owned Hanwha Philly Shipyard. However, facilities constructing classified military vessels face security requirements and foreign ownership restrictions. The Jones Act requires vessels in domestic trade to be U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed, supporting domestic shipyard employment.

Q4. How long does building a ship take?

Construction timelines vary dramatically by vessel type. Small commercial vessels may complete in 6-12 months, while complex warships require 3-5 years from keel laying to delivery. Nuclear aircraft carriers take 5-7 years to build, with Gerald R. Ford-class carriers exceeding that timeline. Modular construction techniques introduced at yards like Bath Iron Works and Austal USA have reduced destroyer and LCS construction time compared to traditional methods.

Q5. What certifications do shipyard workers need?

Shipyard trades require extensive training and certification. Welders must achieve American Welding Society (AWS) certifications for specific materials and positions. Nuclear work requires Department of Energy security clearances. Quality inspectors need certifications from classification societies. Supervisors often hold degrees in marine engineering, naval architecture, or related fields. Major yards operate apprenticeship programs developing skilled trades over 3-4 year periods, addressing the maritime industry's ongoing skilled labor shortage.