Shipbuilding and Repair

The US shipbuilding and repair industry includes about 600 companies with combined annual revenue of about $17 billion. Major companies include the shipbuilding divisions of Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics, both of which are US military contractors. Other top companies are Todd Shipyards, Conrad Industries, Trinity Marine Products, and Jeffboat. The industry is highly concentrated: the largest 50 companies account for about 90 percent of revenue.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for military shipbuilding is largely determined by the US military budget, and to a much lesser extent, the military spending of foreign governments allied with the US. Commercial shipbuilding demand is determined by international and domestic trade, the health of the global economy, and rate of fleet replacement due to age or obsolescence. Small companies usually specialize in building and repair of small commercial vessels. Large companies tend to offer a wide range of building and repair services for both commercial and military vessels, and enjoy economies of scale in purchasing, design, and manufacturing.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Revenue is generated by the design and construction of new commercial and military vessels, and the renovation and repair of existing ships. Commercial products include tankers, passenger vessels and cruise ships, barges and bulk carrier barges, and cargo and container vessels. Military products include aircraft carriers, attack submarines, transport and ammunition ships, cruisers, destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and mine hunters. For most large shipbuilders, commercial shipbuilding accounts for 40 percent or ...