Pascagoula, Miss., — (March 6, 2024) – Earlier this week, Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding Shipyards hosted a delegation of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps leaders at its facility in Pascagoula, MS. The delegation included Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney, PEO Ships Rear ADM Tom Anderson, and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. The visit underscored the critical role of American shipbuilding in enhancing our nation’s defense capabilities and bolstering the economy.
“Bollinger Shipyards was honored to welcome Adm. Franchetti, Gen. Mahoney, and Sen. Wicker to Pascagoula,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “We take great pride in our contribution to the strength and readiness of America’s naval forces and remain dedicated to maintaining our legacy of quality, durability, and innovation in shipbuilding. This visit provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities and ongoing commitment to fulfilling the critical needs of our military, both today and in the years to come.”
During their visit, Adm. Franchetti, Gen. Mahoney, Adm. Anderson, and Sen. Wicker toured the facility, engaged with Bollinger’s skilled workforce, and were briefed by Bollinger leadership on current and future projects. Bollinger Mississippi currently builds the T-AGS and APL programs for the U.S. Navy, as well as the Polar Security Cutter program of the U.S. Coast Guard.
“I will always showcase our skilled Gulf Coast shipbuilders and the impressive work they do. The Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and world benefit from what comes out of our shipyards,” said U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. “As one of Mississippi’s U.S. Senators and the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I look for every opportunity to advance our region’s national defense contributions. This visit was worthwhile.”
This was Adm. Franchetti’s and Gen. Mahoney’s first visit to Bollinger Mississippi. The visit was part of a tour of Gulf Coast shipyards.
ABOUT BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS LLC
Bollinger Shipyards LLC (www.bollingershipyards.com) has a 75-year legacy as a leading designer and builder of high-performance military patrol boats and salvage vessels, research vessels, ocean-going double hull barges, offshore oil field support vessels, tugboats, rigs, lift boats, inland waterways push boats, barges, and other steel and aluminum products from its new construction shipyards as part of the U. S. industrial base. Bollinger has 11 shipyards, all strategically located throughout Louisiana with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region.