Page 42: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2025)

SHIPBUILDING | U.S. MID-SIZED YARDS

BIRDON SCALES UP BIRDON SCALES UP

IN BAYOU LA BATRE IN BAYOU LA BATRE

All images courtesy Birdon n the heart of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, a town synony- System. That system moves 630 million tons of cargo annually mous with Gulf Coast shipbuilding, Birdon is quietly and underpins an estimated $5.4 trillion in economic activity.

reshaping its role in the U.S. maritime industrial base. Birdon’s contract covers 16 River Buoy Tenders (WLRs)

IUnder the leadership of Tony Ardito, President of Birdon and 11 Inland Construction Tenders (WLICs). “Construction

USA, the Australian-owned shipbuilder is scaling up to de- on the ? rst vessel is underway,” Ardito said, “and our produc- liver on a multibillion-dollar commitment to the U.S. Coast tion team is geared to deliver four vessels annually for the

Guard while positioning itself to bene? t from what it sees as a next decade.” Full-rate production is scheduled to begin in pivotal moment for the domestic shipbuilding industry. FY26, a milestone that will sustain hundreds of skilled jobs

Ardito, a naval architect and marine engineer by training, and stabilize Birdon’s supply chain for years to come.

brings more than 30 years of experience in designing, construct-

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE IN ing, and maintaining commercial and government vessels. Over

BAYOU LA BATRE his career, he has overseen projects ranging from luxury yachts to complex defense platforms, including work for the U.S. Coast To support the WCC program, Birdon has invested more than

Guard, Department of Defense, and Army Corps of Engineers. $27 million in capital improvements at its Bayou La Batre facil- “My experience spans the full lifecycle of vessels,” Ardito said, ity. The shipyard now boasts a 660-ton travel lift, 1,700 feet of “and I’ve helped establish or modernize multiple shipyards by waterfront, a semi-automated panel line, and dedicated paint, leveraging automation and Industry 4.0 technologies.” pipe, electrical, and metal shops. The yard is dredged to 16 feet,

The company’s most visible project is its $1.187 billion allowing it to accommodate vessels up to 250 feet in length, contract to design and build 27 Waterways Commerce Cut- and has the capacity to deliver more than four cutters per year.

ters (WCCs), a program that will replace a ? eet of aging Coast These investments extend beyond infrastructure. Birdon

Guard tenders that maintain 28,200 inland Aids to Navigation has built new training facilities and expanded workforce ame- supporting over 12,000 miles of the Marine Transportation nities, re? ecting its commitment to workforce development in 42 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2025

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