Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (NASDAQ: GLDD), the largest provider of dredging services in the United States, has taken delivery of its newest Jones Act-compliant hopper dredge, the Amelia Island, from Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana. The vessel measures 346 feet long with 16,500 total horsepower and features advanced automation, low-emission Tier IV engines, and a 6,330-cubic-yard hopper capacity designed for efficient dredging operations in shallow and narrow U.S. waterways.
CEO Lasse Petterson stated that the addition of the Amelia Island completes the company's newbuild program, resulting in the largest and most advanced hopper fleet in the nation. The vessel is immediately scheduled to begin projects that are booked through 2026, ensuring continued service to critical infrastructure and maritime projects across the country. This expansion strengthens the company's position in maintaining and improving vital waterway infrastructure essential for commerce, navigation, and coastal protection.
The delivery of this advanced dredging vessel is significant for several reasons. First, it enhances the nation's capacity to maintain and deepen shipping channels, ports, and waterways that are crucial for global trade and economic activity. Second, the vessel's low-emission Tier IV engines represent a step forward in environmental sustainability within the maritime industry, reducing the environmental impact of dredging operations. Third, the immediate deployment on projects through 2026 demonstrates strong demand for dredging services, highlighting the ongoing need for infrastructure maintenance and development.
For more information about the company, visit https://gldd.com/. The full press release can be viewed at https://ibn.fm/WiSg9.
