In a significant boost to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ marine operations, Conrad Shipyard LLC has secured a $24.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for the engineering, construction, testing, and delivery of a brand-new deck barge. This strategic procurement, which carries a total cumulative face value of over $24.4 million, ensures USACE maintains the heavy-duty floating infrastructure necessary for complex waterway operations across the country.
Contract Details: At A Glance
| Contractor: | Conrad Shipyard LLC |
| Award Date: | July 2, 2026 |
| Contract Value: | $24,153,000 ($24,459,000 Cumulative) |
| Project: | Deck Barge Engineering and Construction |
| Location: | Morgan City, Louisiana |
| Contract Number: | W912BU-26-C-A030 |
| Awarding District: | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District |
District Context & Mission Impact
Awarded by the USACE Philadelphia District, this vessel procurement aligns directly with the district’s specialized Marine Design Center (MDC) responsibilities. As the Corps’ national center of expertise for naval architecture and marine engineering, the Philadelphia District frequently manages the design and acquisition of specialized vessels for the entire USACE fleet. Deck barges are absolute workhorses for civil works missions, providing essential floating platforms for dredging support, breakwater construction, and heavy equipment transport. By modernizing these maritime assets, the Philadelphia District ensures that USACE divisions across the nation can safely and efficiently execute their critical coastal and inland navigation mandates.
Contractor Spotlight & Industry Context
Based in Morgan City, Louisiana, Conrad Shipyard brings decades of specialized shipbuilding and marine fabrication expertise to this federal contract. The Gulf Coast maritime industry remains a vital partner to the Department of Defense, offering the heavy manufacturing capabilities required to produce rugged, military-grade marine assets. Constructing a deck barge of this caliber requires precise engineering to handle massive deck point-loads, endure harsh marine environments, and pass rigorous USACE testing protocols. Contracts like this not only sustain America’s defense industrial base but also highlight the indispensable role of commercial shipbuilders in equipping the Corps for disaster response, infrastructure repair, and everyday marine construction.
