Senior leaders from the U.S. Navy, together with Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, toured Bollinger Shipyards‘ Mississippi facility on Thursday, highlighting efforts to modernize the fleet and strengthen America’s shipbuilding capabilities.

Becoming a member of Secretary Phelan had been Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle, Grasp Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John J. Perryman, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Analysis, Growth, and Acquisition Jason L. Potter. The go to marks Phelan’s first official engagement at Bollinger in his new function.

In the course of the tour, the Navy delegation met with Bollinger’s workforce and management to evaluation ongoing initiatives and workforce growth initiatives. The corporate showcased applications comparable to its Shipbuilder Bootcamp and reported a 61% enhance in its Mississippi workforce, reflecting development in response to rising Navy demand.

Bollinger President and CEO Ben Bordelon emphasised the significance of streamlining authorities procurement processes to speed up vessel manufacturing.

“When business is trusted and empowered to execute, the Navy will get extra functionality, extra predictably, and our warfighters and sailors get these vital belongings sooner,” Bordelon mentioned.

The go to underscores the Trump administration’s give attention to restoring U.S. maritime dominance whereas selling nearer collaboration between the Navy and personal shipbuilders. Bollinger and Navy officers mentioned methods to modernize acquisition procedures, enhance cost-effectiveness, and shorten manufacturing timelines.

Bollinger Shipyards, with an 80-year historical past in business and navy shipbuilding, operates 13 services throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. The corporate produces a spread of vessels, together with navy patrol boats, salvage ships, offshore help vessels, tugboats, and barges, whereas additionally offering restore providers within the Gulf area.