Lawmakers Advocate for South Louisiana Shipyards in Defense Contract Consideration
U.S. lawmakers from St. Mary Parish are urging the Trump administration to prioritize South Louisiana's small shipyards for defense contracts. In a letter to Secretary Pete Hegspeth, U.S.
Rep. Clay Higgins and Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy highlighted the competitive nature of local shipyards in commercial markets, emphasizing their rapid execution and innovation capabilities. Local shipyards, including Conrad Shipyard, Saronic, Magnet Defense, and Bollinger, are already engaged in defense projects, building vessels for the Navy and Coast Guard.
As of the end of 2024, shipbuilding employment in St. Mary was nearly 800. The lawmakers requested that the Department of War consider these shipyards in future contracts to enhance America's shipbuilding capacity and defense industrial base.
