GLDD Launches First U.S. Jones Act Compliant SRI
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company (GLDD) recently celebrated the launch of the Acadia, the first U.S. flagged subsea rock installation device (SRI) that is Jones Act compliant. The Acadia was launched into the Delaware River from Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia on July 16.
The vessel, which measures 461 feet by 112 feet, is able to transport and install up to 20,000 metric tons of rock for seabed installation. According to GLDD, this rock provides necessary scour protection for subsea infrastructure including subsea cables for power transmission, telecommunications cables, oil and gas pipelines, subsea structures and offshore wind turbine foundations. The Acadia’s first contract takes it south of Long Island, N.Y., where it will lay subsea rock for the Empire Wind project, an offshore wind farm Equinor is developing off the coast of New York.
The new vessel, an American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) approved Ulstein S211 design with a passenger capacity of 45, was developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V. and constructed by Philly Shipyard. It took over one million hours of labor to complete, with work conducted in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Louisiana. The vessel is equipped with EPA Tier 4 engines and is capable of running on biofuel to reduce emissions. Steel for the vessel’s construction was sourced from Ohio.
“We are excited to see the launch of the Acadia, getting us closer to her expected delivery early next year which will also mark the completion of our major new build program,” said Lasse Petterson, president and CEO of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock. “The Acadia is the centerpiece of our offshore energy growth strategy and will begin operations immediately upon leaving the shipyard.”
The Acadia will support domestic U.S. markets as well as work with international offshore energy markets.
“The launch of the Acadia marks a major milestone for our offshore energy business,” said Eleni Beyko, senior vice president of offshore energy for GLDD. “Upon delivery, the Acadia will start her journey towards New York for the installation of rock for the Empire Wind I offshore wind farm and continue working on the U.S. East Coast on contracted work through the end of 2026. Over the last two years, we have actively engaged with clients for new engagements on offshore energy projects for Acadia for 2027 and beyond.”
GLDD owns one of the largest dredging fleets in the country with approximately 200 vessels. Established in 1890, the company operates mainly in the United States but is expanding its international presence in both dredging and offshore energy production.
