Avondale Shipyard

Avondale Shipyard. For over seven decades, it was a cornerstone of United States shipbuilding and a major industrial employer in the Greater New Orleans region. Originally established to construct barges and tugboats, the yard evolved into a premier builder of complex warships for the United States Navy and large commercial vessels. Its closure marked the end of a significant chapter in American industrial history and the Gulf Coast economy.

History

The facility was founded in 1938 by Andrew Higgins and George L. R. Coyle on the Mississippi River near New Orleans. During World War II, it produced critical landing craft, including the famed LCVP or "Higgins boat," which were pivotal to amphibious operations in the European and Pacific Theatres. In the postwar era, ownership shifted to Litton Industries in 1959, which dramatically expanded its capacity. Later, it became part of Northrop Grumman and finally Huntington Ingalls Industries, serving as a primary contractor for the Nimitz-class and later Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. The yard also constructed numerous auxiliary ships, such as amphibious assault ships and replenishment oilers, throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century.

Facilities and operations

Situated on a 268-acre site along the Mississippi River, the complex was one of the largest shipyards in the Western Hemisphere. Its key features included a massive, digitally-controlled Goliath crane capable of lifting 900 tons, enormous dry docks, and extensive outfitting basins. The yard specialized in modular construction techniques, where large sections of a ship were built indoors and then transported to the erection site for final assembly. This method was essential for constructing the complex island superstructures and flight decks of aircraft carriers. Its location provided direct deep-water access to the Gulf of Mexico, facilitating the launch and delivery of massive vessels to the United States Navy fleet and commercial clients.

Notable ships built

The shipyard's portfolio included many iconic vessels for the United States Navy. Among its most famous productions were the amphibious transport docks USS *San Antonio* and USS *New York*, the latter constructed with World Trade Center steel in its bow. It built several replenishment oilers of the Henry J. Kaiser class and the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship. For commercial service, the yard constructed drillships for offshore drilling and LNG carriers. Its final major naval projects were components for the new *Gerald R. Ford*-class carriers, including prefabricated sections for the lead ship, USS *Gerald R. Ford*.

Labor relations and workforce

For generations, the yard was a primary source of high-wage blue-collar employment in Jefferson Parish, with its workforce peaking at over 26,000 during the Vietnam War era. Labor was represented by the New Orleans Metal Trades Council and the Boilermakers union. The facility experienced significant labor disputes, including a major strike in 1999 that delayed naval projects. Workforce demographics reflected the diverse population of the New Orleans metropolitan area, and jobs at the yard were often passed down through families. In its later decades, employment steadily declined due to defense budget cycles, increased automation, and consolidation within the shipbuilding industry, falling to about 5,000 workers before the announcement of its closure.

Closure and redevelopment

Facing intense competition from other Huntington Ingalls Industries yards like Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula and Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, the parent company announced the closure in 2010. The last ship, the cargo ship USNS *Cesar Chavez*, was delivered in 2014. The closure eliminated a major industrial employer and had a significant ripple effect on the regional economy. The site was subsequently sold to Avondale Marine, a consortium, for redevelopment into a multi-modal industrial park focused on offshore wind energy component manufacturing, ship repair, and logistics. This transition represents a broader shift in the Gulf Coast economy from traditional heavy industry to renewable energy and maritime services.

Category:Shipbuilding companies of the United States Category:Shipyards in Louisiana Category:Companies based in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Category:Defunct companies based in Louisiana