New ocean barge to support construction of US Navy submarines

Bollinger Shipyards in Louisiana recently christened a new ocean transport barge ordered by Connecticut-based shipyard General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB).

Holland will support GDEB by transporting components necessary for the construction and maintenance of the US Navy’s Columbia-class and Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines.

The concept and contract design for the 400- by 100-foot (121- by 30-metre) non-self-propelled vessel was provided by Rhode Island-based naval architects Bristol Harbor Group. Bollinger performed detail design engineering and construction within Louisiana.

The name Holland was chosen in part to honour the 1900-built USS Holland, the first submarine to be commissioned into service with the US Navy.