Alabama shipbuilder to construct three Landing Craft, Utility vessels, with an option for a fourth craft under the new U.S. Navy agreement
Gulf Coast shipbuilder Master Boat Builders has been awarded an Other Transaction Agreement by the U.S. Navy to construct three Landing Craft, Utility class craft, with an option for a fourth vessel.
Work on the programme is expected to continue through 2029, with construction taking place at Master Boat Builders’ shipyard in Coden, Alabama.
“This award represents a major milestone for Master Boat and reflects the dedication of the skilled workforce that has built our reputation over the last 45 years,” said Garrett Rice, President of Master Boat Builders. “We are honored by the Navy’s confidence in our team and proud to expand our role in supporting America’s maritime mission. As we deliver these craft, we will continue investing in our people, capabilities, and Gulf Coast operations to provide the quality and performance our warfighters depend on.”
The award marks a significant milestone for Master Boat as the company’s first defence shipbuilding contract as a prime shipyard. This contract builds on the company’s steps to answer the Administration’s call to strengthen America’s maritime industrial base, first by supporting the U.S. Navy’s Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship (T-ATS) program through distributed shipbuilding and now by expanding its role as a prime builder for the Landing Craft, Utility program. The award demonstrates the value of leveraging shipyards of all sizes and capabilities across the nation’s industrial base to ultimately expand domestic production capacity, strengthen the skilled maritime workforce, and support the shared objective of delivering more vessels to the fleet, faster.
The Landing Craft, Utility program is a critical component of the Navy and Marine Corps’ efforts to modernize expeditionary logistics capabilities and maintain operational readiness in contested maritime environments. Designed to transport troops, vehicles, equipment, and supplies, the vessel can carry up to 152 light tons of cargo, including armored vehicles, military equipment, and personnel. Equipped with a bow ramp, stern gate, and specialized cargo-handling capabilities, the Landing Craft, Utility supports force projection, expeditionary operations, humanitarian assistance, and logistics missions around the world.
