WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has awarded a series of dredging and vessel maintenance contracts totaling more than $56 million, with work scheduled to take place in Louisiana and Hawaii over the next year. The awards underscore the Corps’ ongoing efforts to maintain navigable waterways, support commercial shipping, and extend the operational life of its specialized dredging fleet.
On Sept. 15, USACE announced four new contracts to contractors across the country: Muddy Water Dredging LP of Orange, Texas; Weeks Marine Inc. of Covington, Louisiana; Pacific Shipyards International LLC of Honolulu, Hawaii; and Manson Construction Co. of Seattle, Washington.
Muddy Water Dredging received an $18.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging of the Calcasieu River and Pass in Louisiana, with work extending across Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes. The cumulative value of the award stands at $23.4 million, and the contract is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2026. Six bids were submitted online, reflecting strong competition. The Corps’ New Orleans District is managing the project, with fiscal 2025 civil construction funds covering the initial $18.4 million.
Weeks Marine was awarded a $21.18 million firm-fixed-price contract for cutterhead dredging in Morgan City, Louisiana. The contract, also overseen by the New Orleans District, received three competitive offers before selection. Work is scheduled to conclude by Dec. 24, 2025, with a total cumulative face value of $38.82 million. Funds totaling $21.18 million from fiscal 2025 civil construction were obligated at the time of award.
Pacific Shipyards International secured an $8.8 million contract to conduct a full overhaul of the Corps’ dredge vessel Essayons in Honolulu, Hawaii. The project will be managed by the Corps’ Portland District and is slated for completion by Feb. 20, 2026. Three bids were received for the firm-fixed-price contract, which is fully funded through fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance appropriations.
Manson Construction Co. received an $8.1 million contract modification for dredging operations in the Atchafalaya Basin, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and adjacent areas near Morgan City, Louisiana. The total contract value now stands at $8.1 million, with completion expected by Jan. 4, 2026. This work will also be managed by the New Orleans District, using fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance funds.
Together, these projects will play a critical role in keeping navigation channels open for commerce, maintaining flood control infrastructure, and ensuring the operational readiness of USACE’s dredging fleet. Louisiana’s waterways, in particular, are vital to the nation’s energy exports, shipping, and commercial fishing, while Hawaii’s vessel maintenance ensures the Corps’ ability to respond to dredging needs across the Pacific region.
The contracts also highlight the importance of public-private partnerships in sustaining U.S. maritime infrastructure. By partnering with experienced dredging and shipyard firms, the Corps can address ongoing sediment buildup in key channels, minimize navigation delays, and preserve the efficiency of its fleet.
Originally reported by Work Boat staff in Work Boat.
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