The Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $257 million contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc., Panama City, Fla., for the design and construction of a medium-class hopper dredge to replace the dredge McFarland based in the Corps’ Philadelphia District.
The 57-year-old 318.9'x73.9'x32.9' McFarland is one of four oceangoing hopper dredges owned and operated by the Corps of Engineers.
The new hopper dredge will play a critical role in enabling the Corps to continue to deliver its navigation mission and provide for safe, reliable, effective, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems for vital national security, commerce, and recreation needs, the Corps said.
It's estimated that the new dredge will be placed into service in 2027. The Corps has not released the specs for the new dredge.
