Who Builds Navy Ships? A Look at the Top Shipbuilders

The shipbuilding industry plays a critical role in maintaining the strength of the United States Navy and Coast Guard. It ensures the continuous development of warships and ships, support vessels, and patrol cutters that safeguard national waters and international interests.

Both public and private shipyards contribute to military and commercial shipbuilding, each handling specialized tasks that contribute to fleet modernization.

Today, let us talk about the companies who build navy ships for the US military.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) holds a significant role in naval shipbuilding, with multiple divisions handling different classes of warships and support vessels.

Newport News Shipbuilding is the only shipyard in the U.S. responsible for constructing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It also assists in the design and maintenance of nuclear-powered submarines, ensuring the longevity of some of the Navy’s most advanced vessels.

Ingalls Shipbuilding focuses on destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and Coast Guard cutters, producing vessels capable of operating in a variety of naval operations.

Mission Technologies integrates cutting-edge advancements in aerospace and cyberspace with naval operations, providing technological support for modern fleets.

General Dynamics

General Dynamics is one of the most important defense contractors in the United States, playing a central role in naval shipbuilding. The company operates multiple divisions that specialize in different vessel types, contributing to the U.S. Navy’s fleet through advanced engineering, innovation, and precision manufacturing.

With a legacy dating back over a century, General Dynamics continues to design and build warships, submarines, and support vessels essential to national defense.

Bath Iron Works (BIW)

Bath Iron Works, based in Maine, is one of the Navy’s most vital shipyards for surface combatants. It has a long history of producing some of the most capable warships in U.S. naval history.

The shipyard is known for its precision craftsmanship, advanced engineering capabilities, and the ability to deliver high-performance vessels tailored for modern naval warfare.

• Specializes in the construction of guided-missile destroyers and future frigates.
• Builds vessels designed for multi-role combat, including air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surface warfare.
• Continuously upgrades and modernizes ship designs to ensure operational effectiveness.

General Dynamics NASSCO

Located in San Diego, General Dynamics NASSCO focuses on auxiliary and support ships essential for fleet sustainment. The shipyard plays a crucial role in producing large cargo and refueling vessels that extend the operational range of U.S. naval forces.

• Constructs fleet replenishment oilers, amphibious support ships, and expeditionary transport vessels.
• Develops sustainment vessels that ensure warships remain supplied with fuel, ammunition, and provisions during operations.
• Supports the U.S. Navy’s ability to conduct extended missions without returning to port.

Electric Boat

Electric Boat, headquartered in Connecticut, is the nation’s primary builder of nuclear-powered submarines. The company has been instrumental in designing and constructing some of the most advanced submarines in the world. Its expertise ensures that the U.S. Navy maintains superiority in underwater warfare.

According to CTInsider, Electric Boat plans to hire 3,000 people in 2025.

Austal USA

Austal USA is a major shipbuilder specializing in high-speed naval vessels that serve the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Operating out of Mobile, Alabama, the company focuses on aluminum and steel construction, allowing for lightweight, agile, and efficient designs.

Austal USA is known for its ability to produce vessels that enhance mobility, improve operational reach, and support missions in both combat and humanitarian efforts.

Since its establishment in the early 2000s, the company has developed a strong reputation for building ships that emphasize speed, maneuverability, and rapid response capabilities.

The shipyard features state-of-the-art modular construction techniques that streamline production, reduce costs, and allow for faster delivery of ships.

Specialties

Austal USA primarily builds ships designed for rapid deployment, patrol operations, and transport.

The company’s modular construction approach enables rapid shipbuilding, allowing multiple sections of a vessel to be built simultaneously before final assembly.

Fincantieri Marine Group

Fincantieri Marine Group is a key player in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, focusing on small surface combatants, Coast Guard vessels, and specialized maritime assets. As a subsidiary of the global Fincantieri corporation, this division brings extensive shipbuilding expertise to its U.S. operations.

The company operates multiple shipyards, each responsible for different types of vessels designed to support military, commercial, and law enforcement needs.

With a reputation for constructing highly capable ships, Fincantieri Marine Group contributes to the expansion and modernization of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard fleets.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine

Fincantieri Marinette Marine is one of the most critical components of the company’s U.S. operations. This shipyard focuses on building small surface combatants that enhance naval warfare capabilities.

The Constellation-class frigates are a prime example of the shipyard’s expertise, offering a balance of firepower, survivability, and versatility in various naval operations.

• Works closely with the U.S. Navy to develop advanced frigates for modern warfare.
• Focuses on multi-role capabilities, ensuring that ships are effective against air, surface, and submarine threats.
• Designs vessels with a high level of automation to reduce crew workload while maintaining efficiency in combat scenarios.

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding plays a critical role in producing large, durable vessels suited for harsh environments.

This shipyard is responsible for constructing icebreakers, buoy tenders, and other essential Coast Guard vessels that operate in the Great Lakes and Arctic regions.

• Specializes in heavy-duty ships built to withstand extreme temperatures and ice-covered waters.
• Produces Great Lakes icebreakers, ensuring year-round commercial and military navigation.
• Manufactured fleet of ocean tugs and other support vessels necessary for naval logistics and assistance.

Fincantieri ACE Marine

Fincantieri ACE Marine focuses on high-speed patrol boats, designed primarily for law enforcement, coastal security, and rescue operations.

The division builds vessels used by the U.S. Coast Guard and other government agencies that require fast, agile, and reliable patrol assets.

• Develops high-speed patrol boats that provide rapid response capabilities.
• Supplies coastal buoy tenders, responsible for maintaining safe navigation routes in domestic waters.
• Integrates advanced surveillance and tracking systems into its vessels to support maritime security missions.

Interesting Fact: Fincantieri ACE Marine and Fincantieri Marinette Marine were among only 16 U.S. shipyards recognized for excellence in safety in 2023, with Marinette Marine earning the award for six consecutive years since 2018.

Bollinger Shipyards

Bollinger Shipyards is one of the leading providers of small and medium-sized vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, and various commercial and government agencies.

Headquartered in Lockport, Louisiana, the company operates multiple shipyards along the Gulf Coast, specializing in the construction, maintenance, and repair of high-performance patrol boats and support vessels.

The company has earned a strong reputation for delivering vessels on schedule while maintaining high-quality craftsmanship.

Bollinger’s production process emphasizes efficiency, allowing for the timely delivery of vessels to meet the needs of the Coast Guard and other agencies. The company employs modern shipbuilding techniques, including modular construction, to streamline the process without sacrificing quality.

Bollinger Shipyards has been a key builder of cutters used in national defense, ensuring that maritime security forces have access to reliable, high-speed vessels. These cutters are equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems, allowing for quick reaction times in emergencies.

The Challenges Facing US Shipbuilding

The U.S. shipbuilding industry plays a key role in national defense, but it faces several significant challenges that impact efficiency, production capacity, and long-term sustainability.

Factors such as fluctuating demand, labor shortages, economic pressures, and competition on the global stage create ongoing difficulties for shipbuilders.

Fluctuating Demand from the Navy

Shipbuilding demand fluctuates based on defense priorities, government budgets, and evolving military strategies.

While some periods see increased investment in naval expansion, others bring delays or cancellations of projects.

This inconsistency leads to several key issues:

Following the Cold War, a decline in shipbuilding projects led to workforce reductions that still affect the industry today.

Adapting to shifting priorities remains a challenge, as shipbuilders must be prepared for sudden changes in production needs.

Workforce Shortages

A well-trained workforce is critical for ship construction, but the industry continues to struggle with a shrinking labor pool.

Several factors contribute to these shortages:

Efforts to address this challenge include expanded apprenticeship programs, partnerships with technical schools, and increased wages to attract new workers. However, without stable production cycles, retaining talent remains difficult.

Economic and Supply Chain Issues

Economic conditions and supply chain reliability directly impact shipbuilding efficiency. Several factors make it difficult to maintain steady production:

To combat these issues, the industry is seeking ways to improve domestic production capabilities and streamline procurement processes. However, cost-effective solutions are difficult to implement on a large scale.

Comparison to China’s Shipbuilding Capacity

One of the biggest strategic concerns for U.S. shipbuilders is the rapid expansion of China’s naval fleet. The two nations have different approaches to shipbuilding, leading to key differences in output:

While the U.S. emphasizes cutting-edge technology and operational effectiveness, China’s ability to rapidly expand its fleet raises concerns about long-term naval competition.

Investing in more efficient production processes and workforce development is necessary to maintain an edge in global shipbuilding.

Interesting Fact: According to Statista, the number of total deployable battle force ships the US Navy has is 287.

The Bottom Line

U.S. shipbuilders play an essential role in maintaining national security by producing advanced warships, submarines, and support vessels.

Long-term investment in shipbuilding infrastructure, workforce development, and procurement stability is necessary to ensure continued dominance in naval power.

The future of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard depends on strategic planning that supports both technological advancements and industrial capacity.