Our History
Florida shipyards have been disappearing.

This could primarily be the result of foreign competition but equally as well the victim of escalating Florida property values which are often affiliated with shipyard’s long-time location. During the last ten years, in Florida, urban-oriented shipyards have seen conversions to create resorts and often a condominium complex as well as other enhanced commercial development opportunities.

Depending upon the structure of the vessel a client desires to have fabricated, most American shipyards cannot accommodate any new shipbuilding contracts until 2010 or beyond.

At the present time, the United States is experiencing a barge shortage. The last American “barge-boom” was in the 1970s and the lifespan of those vessels is estimated to only be about thirty years. As a result there’s significant current interest in replacing barge fleets. St. Johns is one of the only shipyards in the Southeast that can now accommodate new orders to build these type vessels.

The corporate and strategic importance of these vessels is primarily due to the wide array of cargo they can carry as well as their ability to transport those cargos to complex geographical areas; often areas other vessels cannot go (these barges have roll-on, roll-off capabilities). In addition, the vessels being constructed at St. Johns are either single hull (for general shipping operations) or double-hulled, which are vitally important for the transport of fuels or hazardous waste.