American Ship Building Company (ASBC) was formed in 1902 in Cleveland, Ohio, as a shipbuilding conglomerate to consolidate fragmented yards along the Great Lakes. Organized by a syndicate led by Alexander McDougall and backed by financiers like J.P. Morgan, it combined 16 yards (including Lorain, Cleveland, and Erie lines) with $25 million in capital. The goal was to dominate U.S. naval and commercial shipbuilding, leveraging the steel boom and Panama Canal era. By 1904, it built over 500 vessels, but antitrust scrutiny and industry downturns hit hard.
In the 1950s, ASBC modernized for oil tankers and supertankers amid global trade growth. George Steinbrenner III, scion of a maritime family, joined as assistant to the president in 1957, becoming president in 1963 and chairman in 1967. Under him, it expanded via acquisitions (e.g., Ingalls Shipbuilding in 1965 for $175 million) and diversified into yachts and real estate, peaking at $200 million revenue by 1972. Steinbrenner, a shipping magnate, used profits to buy the New York Yankees in 1973.
The 1970s-80s brought labor strife and recession; ASBC faced union battles, closing unprofitable yards. In 1977, it filed for bankruptcy, emerging restructured but weakened. Steinbrenner shifted focus to the Yankees. By 1980, the company owned key yards in Lorain, Ohio; Tampa, Florida; and others. Frustrated with unions, Steinbrenner closed Lorain in 1983, consolidating in Tampa (renamed Tampa Shipyards), where he had ties from his father's Kinsman Lines.
In 1982, Steinbrenner sold controlling interest but retained influence. The 1980s saw further decline; it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1987 and again in 1993 amid debts and market shifts to foreign builders. Post-1993, it reorganized under new ownership, shedding yards and focusing on repairs. By 1996, it was acquired by Friede Goldman Halter, then bankrupt in 2000. Assets fragmented: Tampa yard became Gulf Marine Repair; Lorain site razed for development.
Today, no single "ASBC" entity exists; remnants operate as independent shipyards (e.g., Bollinger Shipyards acquired parts). The legacy endures in U.S. maritime history, though Steinbrenner's era marked its commercial peak before globalization eroded domestic dominance.
Who are the major shipbuilders in the United States? Give me a list of the top 5 based upon ships built.
What are the top shipbuilders in the United States?
#askleo
Top U.S. shipbuilders in 2025, based on market presence, output, and naval/commercial focus:
General Dynamics NASSCO (San Diego, CA): Leads in commercial and military vessels, including tankers and amphibious ships for the Navy. Part of the "Big Six" shipyards; key player in LNG carriers.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News, VA; Pascagoula, MS): Largest by workforce (~42,000). Builds nuclear-powered carriers (e.g., USS Gerald R. Ford class) and submarines. Dominates naval contracts.
BAE Systems Ship Repair (Jacksonville, FL; San Diego, CA): Specializes in maintenance, repair, and overhaul of Navy ships. Handles destroyers and cruisers; growing in unmanned vessel tech.
Fincantieri Marinette Marine (Marinette, WI): Focuses on littoral combat ships and frigates for the Navy. Expanding with Constellation-class frigates; strong in Great Lakes region.
Austal USA (Mobile, AL): Experts in aluminum high-speed vessels, including Expeditionary Fast Transports and unmanned surface vessels. Boosting export capabilities.
The industry faces challenges like foreign competition and subsidies, but DoD contracts drive growth. About 120 yards total, with these topping production.
What are the Big 6 shipyards in the United States?
The "Big Six" shipyards in the United States refer to the six major facilities capable of building large naval vessels, all owned by two primary defense contractors and critical to the U.S. Navy's shipbuilding program. They are:
Newport News Shipbuilding (Newport News, VA) – Owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). Specializes in nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (e.g., Nimitz and Ford classes) and submarines.
Ingalls Shipbuilding (Pascagoula, MS) – Owned by HII. Focuses on amphibious assault ships, destroyers (Arleigh Burke class), and cruisers for the Navy.
Bath Iron Works (Bath, ME) – Owned by General Dynamics. Builds advanced destroyers and surface combatants; known for high-quality steel fabrication.
Electric Boat (Groton, CT; Quonset Point, RI) – Owned by General Dynamics. Leads in nuclear submarine construction, including Virginia and Columbia classes, often partnering with Newport News.
NASSCO (San Diego, CA) – Owned by General Dynamics. Primarily commercial (tankers, cargo ships) but supports Navy auxiliary vessels like fleet oilers.
Austal USA (Mobile, AL) – Independently owned (subsidiary of Australia's Austal). Specializes in high-speed aluminum ships, including littoral combat ships and expeditionary fast transports.
These yards handle about 90% of U.S. naval ship construction. For more details, see marineinsight.com on major U.S. shipyards.
What shipbuilding takes place in the state of Florida? Is the industry still in Tampa or Miami?
Florida's shipbuilding industry remains active, focusing on military, commercial, and repair work, supported by major ports and naval needs. Key players and locations:
Overall, Florida's sector employs ~20,000, driven by Navy contracts and cruise/shipping. Tampa active; Miami marginal for building.
What are the largest luxury yacht builders in the United States?