LA Business Background: Bollinger Shipyard

Bollinger Shipyards, LLC, is a shipbuilding and repair company based in Lockport, Louisiana. The company was founded in 1946 by Donald G. Bollinger, Sr., and has since grown to become one of the leading shipbuilders in the Gulf Coast region. Over the years, Bollinger Shipyards has built a reputation for quality and innovation, and has played a significant role in the history of American shipbuilding.

The company was founded in 1946, after World War II, when Donald G. Bollinger, Sr. returned home to Louisiana and purchased a small shipyard in Lockport. At the time, the shipyard was in disrepair and had been unused for several years. Bollinger saw potential in the location and set to work on repairing and upgrading the facilities. Within a few years, the shipyard was back in operation and ready to start building ships.

Bollinger's first ship was a tugboat, which was built for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This was followed by a series of other tugboats and barges, as well as other types of vessels. As the company grew, it began to focus more on building vessels for commercial and government customers, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Bollinger Shipyards continued to grow and expand its capabilities. The company became known for its ability to build high-quality vessels quickly and efficiently, which made it a preferred supplier for many customers. In the 1970s, the company began building offshore supply vessels, which were used to support the growing oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Bollinger Shipyards continued to innovate and diversify its product line. The company began building high-speed vessels, such as patrol boats and fast ferries, and also started to build larger ships, including offshore supply vessels and platform supply vessels.

In recent years, Bollinger Shipyards has continued to grow and evolve. The company has expanded its facilities and capabilities and has added new products and services, such as ship repair and conversion, as well as offshore wind turbine installation vessels. Today, Bollinger Shipyards is one of the leading shipbuilders in the Gulf Coast region and continues to build a wide range of vessels for commercial and government customers.

Overall, Bollinger Shipyards has a long and rich history in the shipbuilding industry, playing an important role in American shipbuilding and repair for decades. With its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service, Bollinger Shipyards continues to be a vital part of the shipbuilding industry and a major contributor to the economy and workforce of Louisiana