Page 50: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2026)

SHIP REPAIR

Image courtesy Bayonne Dry Dock

BAYONNE DRY DOCK:

BUILDING CAPACITY TO KEEP

SHIPS WORKING

With a 1,092-ft. graving dock, a 1,280-metric-ton mobile boat hauler and nearly 300 people, Bayonne Dry Dock has steadily expanded its role in maintaining government and commercial vessels. By Greg Trauthwein or all the attention focused on rebuilding running, we've averaged over 50 a year."

American shipbuilding capacity, there is an- That represents more than 50 vessel haul outs annu- other part of the maritime industrial base that ally, ranging from inspections and routine maintenance to deserves equal consideration: the ship repair comprehensive repairs.

yards. At Bayonne Dry Dock & Repair Corp. The distinction is important. While the graving dock ac-

F (BDD), located at the former Military Ocean Terminal in commodates large government vessels requiring extended

Bayonne, New Jersey, that responsibility translates into a maintenance periods, the mobile boat hauler allows BDD steady stream of Military Sealift Command (MSC) and to process numerous smaller vessels simultaneously. For

Maritime Administration (MARAD) vessels, Coast Guard a shipyard operating in one of the nation's busiest ports, cutters, Army Corps of Engineers equipment, harbor tugs ? exibility has become a competitive advantage.

and commercial workboats.

The company's business has expanded considerably in A $25m Investment That Changed the Business recent years, particularly following its investment in a mas- One of BDD's most consequential investments was the sive mobile boat hoist that opened an entirely new seg- installation of its 1,280-metric-ton Cimolai mobile boat ment of the repair market. hauler, which entered service in July 2021. The company

Today, BDD puts nearly 300 people to work daily, with invested approximately $25 million of its own money in approximately 75% of its business coming from govern- the project, including the lifting equipment and substan- ment customers and 25% from commercial operators. tial infrastructure improvements necessary to support its "We do government work through both operating work weight. The hauler accommodates vessels with beams up platforms," said Ryan Patrick Woerner, Executive Vice to 50 feet, while the associated laydown area can hold as

President and General Counsel, referring to the company's many as eight vessels simultaneously.

graving dock and mobile boat hauler operations. Five years later, the business case is evident.

The graving dock typically handles three to ? ve major The hauler serves commercial operators including McAl- regulatory overhauls annually, primarily for MSC and lister, Moran, Reinauer, Kirby and Vane Brothers, along-

MARAD. The mobile boat hauler, meanwhile, has be- side government customers such as the Coast Guard and come a considerably higher volume operation. Army Corps of Engineers.

"Last year we did over 60," said Bob Magas, Vice Presi- Its reach extends well beyond New York Harbor.

dent, Commercial Operations. "So in the ? ve years we're "Since the inception of the boat hauler, we've done, I 50 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2026

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