Shipbuilding Industry

Shipbuilding and repair yards have a well-founded historical tradition in New Orleans, but today's firms look to the future, contracting to build the next generation of military defense vehicles and commercial vessels.

Since 1991, the region's shipbuilding industry has received more than $6 billion in Defense Department and private contract orders. Today, the Shipbuilding and Aerospace Manufacturing Sectors account directly for 12,900 jobs in the region.

With falling defense expenditures, local firms have sought new markets in smaller craft design, like land-based defense vehicles, amphibious assault vehicles, excursion vessels, ferries and even oil tankers. Repair and renovation services for tankers, barges and tugs also keep the industry viable.

The Louisiana shipbuilding sector represents over 15 percent of all U.S. production. And over half of those builders reside in the New Orleans region -- including the third largest defense contractor in the country.

To ensure our competitive edge, especially against international rivals, the new Avondale/UNO Maritime Technology Research Center researches new technologies for more productive, efficient and cheaper assembly methods.

New Orleans is also home to the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility, which assembles external fuel tanks for the Space Shuttle. As the nation's space exploration program advances, the National Center for Advanced Engineering developed with NASA at the University of New Orleans, will ensure the region captures future markets for decades to come.

For more information on the shipbuilding industry, e-mail Tommy Kurtz at tkurtz@gnoinc.org, Sr. Vice President of Jobs Development.