(Photo from Gulf Ship)
Gulf Ship is expanding its Gulfport operations with an investment of more than $43.81 million that is expected to create 121 jobs and significantly increase the shipbuilding company’s production capacity.
Gulf Ship, an Edison Chouest Offshore company, has operated in Gulfport for more than two decades. The company plans a major modernization of its existing shipbuilding and steel fabrication facilities to support growing demand for U.S.-built commercial and government vessels.
“Mississippians are the best shipbuilders in America, so this investment makes a lot of sense for Gulf Ship and our state,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “Mississippi has a long history of building the vessels that keep our nation moving.”
Reeves said the expansion will create new jobs while strengthening one of Mississippi’s signature industries as demand for American-built vessels continues to grow.
“Demand for American-built vessels is growing, and Mississippi has the workforce, expertise and industrial base to help meet it,” Reeves said.
The project includes significant upgrades to Gulf Ship’s existing production buildings and supporting infrastructure, along with the installation of new automated steel fabrication and assembly equipment.
Planned investments include advanced panel and subassembly production lines, T-beam fabrication equipment, automated and robotic welding systems and material-handling improvements. The company also plans to incorporate other modern shipbuilding technologies designed to improve production efficiency, increase capacity and enhance worker safety.
Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Bill Cork said Gulf Ship’s continued investment in the state will position the company to take on increasingly complex projects.
“Supporting Mississippi employers that continue investing in our state is one of the most important things MDA does,” Cork said. “Gulf Ship’s significant investment in its Gulfport operations will enable the company to take on more complex work and contribute to the national effort to expand American shipbuilding capacity.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is assisting with infrastructure improvements and building upgrades. Harrison County also is providing assistance for the project.
Edison Chouest Offshore CEO Gary Chouest credited cooperation among the company and state and local officials with helping make the expansion possible.
“This investment is a great example of what can happen when industry, state government and local leadership work together toward a common goal,” Chouest said. “We are extremely grateful to Governor Reeves, the Mississippi Development Authority, Harrison County, the Harrison County Development Commission and everyone who has worked with us to help move this project forward.”
Chouest said the expansion comes as increased national attention is being placed on strengthening the country’s shipbuilding industrial base.
“There is a tremendous amount of focus nationally on rebuilding America’s shipbuilding industrial base, and Mississippi has an important role to play in that effort,” Chouest said. “This project is about investing in American shipbuilding, expanding domestic manufacturing capacity and giving our workforce the facilities, equipment and technology needed to compete at the highest level.”
Gulf Ship expects to complete the upgrades by the fourth quarter of 2027 and plans to fill all 121 new jobs by 2028.
“We are proud to make that investment here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and proud to have state and local partners who recognize the importance of shipbuilding to both Mississippi’s economy and our nation’s maritime future,” Chouest said.
More information about Gulf Ship and Edison Chouest Offshore’s shipbuilding operations is available at chouest.com/shipyards.html.