Great Lakes Dredge Acquires Jones Act-Compliant Hopper Dredge Amelia Island

Great Lakes Dredge has taken delivery of its newest hopper dredge, the Amelia Island, from Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana. The vessel is designed for efficient and safe operations in shallow and narrow waters, with a hopper capacity of 6,330 yd and two 800mm trailing suction pipes capable of dredging depths up to 100 feet. The Amelia Island is EPA Tier IV rated for low emissions and is positioned at the forefront of modern dredges, allowing it to execute projects along all U.S. coasts.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) has taken delivery of its newest Jones Act-compliant hopper dredge, the Amelia Island, from the Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana. The vessel is designed for efficient and safe operations in shallow and narrow waters, with a hopper capacity of 6,330 yd³ and two 800mm trailing suction pipes capable of dredging depths up to 100 feet [1].

The Amelia Island is EPA Tier IV rated for low emissions and is positioned at the forefront of modern dredges, allowing it to execute projects along all U.S. coasts, ports, channels, and coastal developments [1]. The dredge is approximately 346 feet in length, 69 feet in breadth, and 23 feet in depth, with 16,500 total horsepower installed. These specifications make it well-suited for diverse operations such as beach renourishment, coastal protection, channel deepening, and maintenance dredging [1].

The delivery of the Amelia Island marks a significant milestone for Great Lakes, completing its dredging newbuild program and leaving it with the largest and most advanced hopper fleet in the United States [1]. The vessel's high level of automation and advanced technology position it as a leader in sustainable dredging operations, reflecting Great Lakes' commitment to modernization and diversification of its fleet [1].

Great Lakes has a full schedule for 2025 and 2026, indicating strong demand and revenue potential for the company in upcoming years [1]. The company's Incident-and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety management program ensures a strong safety culture among employees, further enhancing the company's reputation in the dredging industry [1].

While the announcement of the Amelia Island enhances Great Lakes' fleet capabilities, it lacks specific information on the financial implications of the new dredge acquisition [2]. The cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements implies uncertainty about the company's future performance, which may deter investor confidence [1].

References:
[1] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/20/3136426/36795/en/Great-Lakes-Announces-the-Delivery-of-its-Newest-Hopper-Dredge-the-Amelia-Island.html
[2] https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/great-lakes-dredge-announces-delivery-of-amelia-island-hopper-dredge-thefly