Great Lakes Announces the Launch of the Acadia, the First U.S. Flagged, Jones Act Subsea Rock Installation Vessel
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD), America's largest dredging services provider, has launched the Acadia, the first U.S. flagged, Jones Act-compliant subsea rock installation vessel. The vessel can transport and install up to 20,000 metric tons of rock for protecting subsea infrastructure.
Built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard using American steel and labor, the project generated over one million manhours of high-paying jobs. The Acadia will begin operations in early 2026, starting with the Empire Wind I offshore wind farm in New York, with contracted work through 2026. The company is actively pursuing additional offshore energy projects for 2027 and beyond.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD), il principale fornitore di servizi di dragaggio negli Stati Uniti, ha lanciato la Acadia, la prima nave per l'installazione di rocce sottomarine con bandiera statunitense conforme al Jones Act. La nave può trasportare e posare fino a 20.000 tonnellate metriche di rocce per proteggere le infrastrutture sottomarine.
Costruita presso il cantiere Hanwha Philly Shipyard utilizzando acciaio e manodopera americani, il progetto ha generato oltre un milione di ore-uomo di lavoro ben retribuito. L'Acadia inizierà le operazioni all'inizio del 2026, partendo dal parco eolico offshore Empire Wind I a New York, con lavori contrattati fino al 2026. L'azienda sta attivamente cercando ulteriori progetti di energia offshore per il 2027 e oltre.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD), el mayor proveedor de servicios de dragado en Estados Unidos, ha lanzado el Acadia, el primer buque de instalación de rocas submarinas con bandera estadounidense y conforme al Jones Act. El buque puede transportar e instalar hasta 20,000 toneladas métricas de roca para proteger infraestructuras submarinas.
Construido en Hanwha Philly Shipyard utilizando acero y mano de obra estadounidense, el proyecto generó más de un millón de horas-hombre de empleos bien remunerados. El Acadia comenzará sus operaciones a principios de 2026, iniciando con el parque eólico offshore Empire Wind I en Nueva York, con trabajos contratados hasta 2026. La empresa está buscando activamente más proyectos de energía offshore para 2027 y años posteriores.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD)는 미국 최대 준설 서비스 제공업체로서, 미국 국적의 존스 액트 준수 해저 암석 설치 선박 Acadia를 출시했습니다. 이 선박은 해저 인프라 보호를 위해 최대 20,000 미터톤의 암석을 운반 및 설치할 수 있습니다.
한화 필리 조선소에서 미국산 강철과 노동력을 사용해 건조된 이 프로젝트는 100만 시간 이상의 고임금 일자리를 창출했습니다. Acadia는 2026년 초 뉴욕의 엠파이어 윈드 I 해상 풍력 발전소를 시작으로 운영을 개시하며, 2026년까지 계약된 작업을 수행할 예정입니다. 회사는 2027년 이후 추가 해상 에너지 프로젝트도 적극적으로 추진 중입니다.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD), le plus grand fournisseur de services de dragage aux États-Unis, a lancé le Acadia, le premier navire d'installation de roches sous-marines arborant le pavillon américain et conforme à la loi Jones Act. Ce navire peut transporter et installer jusqu'à 20 000 tonnes métriques de roches pour protéger les infrastructures sous-marines.
Construit au chantier naval Hanwha Philly en utilisant de l'acier et de la main-d'œuvre américains, le projet a généré plus d'un million d'heures de travail bien rémunérées. L'Acadia commencera ses opérations début 2026, en commençant par le parc éolien offshore Empire Wind I à New York, avec des contrats jusqu'en 2026. L'entreprise recherche activement d'autres projets d'énergie offshore pour 2027 et au-delà.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD), Amerikas größter Anbieter von Baggerdiensten, hat die Acadia vorgestellt, das erste US-Flaggschiff und Jones Act-konforme Unterwasser-Felseninstallationsschiff. Das Schiff kann bis zu 20.000 metrische Tonnen Felsen transportieren und installieren, um Unterwasserinfrastruktur zu schützen.
Gebaut in der Hanwha Philly Shipyard unter Verwendung von amerikanischem Stahl und Arbeitskräften, erzeugte das Projekt über eine Million Arbeitsstunden gut bezahlter Jobs. Die Acadia wird Anfang 2026 den Betrieb aufnehmen, beginnend mit dem Offshore-Windpark Empire Wind I in New York, mit vertraglich vereinbarten Arbeiten bis 2026. Das Unternehmen verfolgt aktiv weitere Offshore-Energieprojekte für 2027 und darüber hinaus.
- First U.S. flagged, Jones Act-compliant subsea rock installation vessel in the market
- Secured contracts through end of 2026, starting with Empire Wind I project
- Created over one million manhours of high-paying jobs during construction
- Expansion potential into international offshore energy markets
- Vessel capable of installing 20,000 metric tons of rock for infrastructure protection
- Significant capital investment in new vessel construction
- Potential market uncertainty for contracts beyond 2026
Insights
Great Lakes launches first U.S. Jones Act subsea rock vessel, securing contracts through 2026 for offshore wind projects.
The launch of the Acadia, the first U.S. flagged, Jones Act-compliant subsea rock installation vessel, represents a significant strategic advancement for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock. This specialized vessel can transport and install up to
What makes this development particularly notable is its perfect timing with the accelerating U.S. offshore wind industry. The vessel has already secured contracts through 2026, beginning with the Empire Wind I project off New York. This guaranteed utilization significantly reduces market risk for this capital investment while positioning Great Lakes as the only Jones Act-compliant provider in this specialized segment.
The Jones Act compliance is a crucial competitive advantage, as it requires vessels operating between U.S. ports to be American-built, owned, and crewed. This creates a significant barrier to entry for foreign competitors in the domestic market. Additionally, the company's strategic decision to expand the Acadia's market focus internationally provides flexibility to maximize utilization beyond U.S. projects.
This vessel completes Great Lakes' major new build program, suggesting a transition from capital expenditure to operational revenue generation. With the offshore wind sector poised for substantial growth in the U.S., the Acadia positions Great Lakes to capture value in this emerging market while leveraging their established expertise in marine construction and dredging operations.
HOUSTON, July 23, 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 a major milestone in its Offshore Energy strategy with the recent launch of the Acadia at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The Acadia is the first U.S flagged, Jones Act-compliant subsea rock installation (SRI) vessel.
The Acadia is engineered to transport and precisely install up to 20,000 metric tons of rock on the seabed. This rock provides critical scour protection for subsea infrastructure including subsea cables for power transmission, telecommunications cables, oil and gas pipelines and subsea structures and offshore wind turbine foundations, preventing erosion caused by waves and currents and mechanical impacts from equipment and vessels.
With steel sourced from Ohio, and labor from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Louisiana, construction of the Acadia created more than one million manhours of high paying jobs at the shipyard and once operational will employ U.S. mariners for many years to come.
In addition to supporting the U.S. domestic market, Great Lakes has expanded its market focus for the Acadia to work in the international offshore energy development markets.
Lasse Petterson, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are excited to see the launch of the Acadia, getting us closer to her expected delivery early next year which will also mark the completion of our major new build program. The Acadia is the centerpiece of our Offshore Energy growth strategy and will begin operations immediately upon leaving the shipyard.”
Eleni Beyko, Senior Vice President, Offshore Energy, commented, “The launch of the Acadia marks a major milestone for our Offshore Energy business. Upon delivery, the Acadia will start her journey towards New York for the installation of rock for the Empire Wind I offshore wind farm and continue working on the U.S. East Coast on contracted work through the end of 2026. Over the last two years we have actively engaged with clients for new engagements on offshore energy projects for Acadia for 2027 and beyond.”
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, 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/f327df32-6a6e-4c20-8c7c-421464967071
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