Great Lakes Announces the Delivery of its Newest Hopper Dredge, the Amelia Island
Rhea-AI Summary
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD), America's largest dredging services provider, has announced the delivery of its newest Jones Act-compliant hopper dredge, the Amelia Island, from Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana.
The vessel features impressive specifications including 346 feet in length, 16,500 total horsepower, and a hopper capacity of 6,330 yd³. The dredge is equipped with EPA Tier IV rated engines for low emissions and two 800mm trailing suction pipes capable of dredging depths up to 100 feet.
As the company's sixth hopper dredge, the Amelia Island completes GLDD's dredging newbuild program, resulting in the largest and most advanced hopper fleet in the United States. The vessel is already fully scheduled for work through 2025 and 2026.
Positive
- Completion of newbuild program resulting in largest and most advanced hopper fleet in the US
- Vessel already secured full work schedule for 2025-2026
- Enhanced operational capabilities with EPA Tier IV rated engines for low emissions
- Expanded fleet capacity strengthens market leadership position
Negative
- None.
Insights
GLDD strengthens market position with new advanced hopper dredge, completing fleet modernization and securing immediate project revenue.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock has taken a significant step forward with the delivery of the Amelia Island, their newest hopper dredge from Conrad Shipyard. This vessel marks the completion of their dredging newbuild program, giving GLDD the largest and most advanced hopper fleet in the United States.
The Amelia Island's specifications are impressive – a 346-foot vessel with 16,500 total horsepower, two 800mm trailing suction pipes capable of dredging depths up to 100 feet, and a hopper capacity of 6,330 cubic yards. Importantly, the main engines and generators are EPA Tier IV rated for low emissions, aligning with modern environmental standards.
What makes this vessel particularly valuable is its versatility. The Amelia Island is designed for shallow and narrow waters along all U.S. coastlines, enabling it to perform diverse operations including beach renourishment, coastal protection, channel deepening, and maintenance dredging. This operational flexibility substantially enhances GLDD's service capabilities.
Most notably, the company has already secured a full project schedule for this vessel through 2025 and 2026, meaning the Amelia Island will immediately contribute to revenue generation. This rapid deployment demonstrates strong market demand for GLDD's dredging services and effective pre-delivery sales efforts.
As the sixth hopper dredge in the fleet, the Amelia Island joins its sister ship, the Galveston Island, strengthening GLDD's position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and reinforcing their dominant market position in U.S. dredging services. The completion of their newbuild program represents a successful execution of their fleet modernization strategy, positioning them well for continued leadership in marine infrastructure projects.
HOUSTON, Aug. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation ("Great Lakes" or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GLDD), the largest provider of dredging services in the United States, today announced it took delivery of its newest Jones Act-compliant hopper dredge, the Amelia Island from the Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana.
The Amelia Island supports the Company’s vision of continued modernization and diversification of our fleet. The Amelia Island is specially designed for efficient and safe operations along shallow and narrow waters throughout all U.S. coastlines. The vessel is approximately 346 feet in length, 69 feet in breadth, 23 feet in depth with 16,500 total horsepower installed. The dredge features two 800mm trailing suction pipes capable of dredging depths up to 100 feet with a hopper capacity of 6,330 yd³. The main engines and generators are EPA Tier IV rated for low emissions. These vital capabilities of the Amelia Island position it at the forefront of modern dredges, allowing it to execute projects along all U.S. coasts, ports, channels, and coastal developments.
Lasse Petterson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The delivery of our sixth hopper dredge, the Amelia Island marks a significant milestone as our dredging newbuild program is now complete, leaving us with the largest and most advanced hopper fleet in the United States. Engineered with a high level of automation, this vessel is well suited for diverse operations such as beach renourishment, coastal protection, channel deepening, and maintenance dredging. Already with a full schedule for 2025 and 2026, the dredge will be going immediately to work.”
The Amelia Island joins her sister ship, the Galveston Island, another modern dredge built to enhance vital maritime infrastructure nationwide and reaffirms our commitment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our dedication to the U.S. dredging industry.
The Company
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States, which is complemented with a long history of performing significant international projects. In addition, Great Lakes is fully engaged in expanding its core business into the offshore energy industry. The Company employs experienced civil, ocean, and mechanical engineering staff in its estimating, production, and project management functions. In its over 135-year history, the Company has never failed to complete a marine project. Great Lakes owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, is comprised of approximately 200 specialized vessels. Great Lakes has a disciplined training program for engineers that ensures experienced-based performance as they advance through Company operations. The Company’s Incident-and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety management program is integrated into all aspects of the Company’s culture. The Company’s commitment to the IIF® culture promotes a work environment where employee safety is paramount.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA") or in releases made by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), all as may be amended from time to time. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Great Lakes and its subsidiaries, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of such laws. Great Lakes cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by Great Lakes are not guarantees or indicative of future events.
Although Great Lakes believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in this press release are reasonable, actual events could differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and Great Lakes does not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.
For further information contact:
Eric Birge
Vice President of Investor Relations
313-220-3053
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0fb1d957-21f3-4803-b3ec-73311292cd48
FAQ
What are the key specifications of GLDD's new Amelia Island dredge?
How many hopper dredges does Great Lakes Dredge & Dock now operate?
What types of projects will the Amelia Island dredge handle for GLDD?
When will the GLDD Amelia Island dredge begin operations?
What environmental features does the new GLDD dredge include?
