Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La., in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Conn., hosted a christening ceremony for Atlas, a new floating drydock that will support the Navy's Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program.
Atlas, measuring 618'x140', is designed to provide capacity for the construction, maintenance, and long-term sustainment of the next-generation Columbia-class submarines, which will replace the aging Ohio-class fleet starting in 2027.
“Bollinger Shipyards is proud to deepen our partnership with Electric Boat and take a leading role in strengthening America’s dry dock capacity with the delivery of the Atlas,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “This project isn’t just a build, it’s a strategic investment in our Navy’s future. Modernizing the fleet demands cutting-edge infrastructure, built right here at home. Bollinger is all-in on driving innovation, reinforcing the U.S. industrial base, and delivering the tools our Navy needs to stay ahead.”
Electric Boat serves as the prime contractor for the Columbia-class program. Submarines in this class will be the largest ever constructed by the United States, at two-and-a-half times the size of the Virginia-class attack submarines.
“Drydocks are the backbone of America’s fleet modernization efforts, especially for programs like Columbia-class, where precision, scale, and readiness are paramount,” said Chris Remont, EVP of new construction at Bollinger Shipyards. “The delivery of Atlas is a testament to American engineering and the skilled workforce driving our shipbuilding capabilities.”
Atlas is the second major delivery from Bollinger to Electric Boat. The shipyard previously constructed a 400'x100' ocean transport barge, delivered in 2021. Bollinger is also currently building a pontoon launcher that will assist in the construction and launching of the Columbia-class submarines.
