Birdon’s booth at the 2024 International Workboat Show drew significant attention from many of the over 14,000 maritime industry professionals and visitors during the three-day event held in New Orleans from November 12th to 14th.
Visitors to Birdon’s booth were eager to learn more about the ongoing Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) contract and how they could contribute. The $1.187 billion contract to design and build 27 vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has the vessels being designed out of Birdon’s New Orleans office, with production to take place in our recently acquired and upgraded South Alabama shipyard.
Since purchasing the shipyard from Metal Shark in March 2024, Birdon has begun investing more than $37 million to create a premier Tier 3 shipyard. Upgrades include new fabrication and assembly facilities; a state-of-the-art Automated Welding System; blast and paint facilities and a 500-foot dock expansion to increase capacity to dock and deliver vessels.
“We were excited to participate and showcase our work on Birdon’s Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) contract,” said Alabama Shipyard General Manager Ron Rabago.
“Not only were we able to exhibit some new technologies we’re incorporating into the WCC vessels, we also shared our plans to build a premier Tier 3 shipyard to strengthen Alabama’s status as a major maritime center.”
Trending topics of conversation at WorkBoat included optimism about the future of the maritime industry and excitement over new technologies that promise to significantly enhance maritime capabilities. This positive outlook was reflected in the record-breaking attendance for this year’s show, leading organizers to plan to open an additional hall to accommodate the show’s growing numbers in 2025.
While at the show, Birdon team members sponsored and attended the U.S. Coast Guard Alumni (USCGA) Association and Industry Partners reception, creating opportunities to strengthen relationships and discuss the future of the industry in a more relaxed setting. Members of the Birdon team also joined fellow South Alabamans and other guests at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce Maritime Partners Reception, deepening Birdon’s ties to the Mobile business community.
Following a successful exhibit in 2024, Birdon is already looking forward to spreading awareness about Birdon’s facilities and upcoming projects at WorkBoat 2025.
