Florida's shipbuilding industry remains active, focusing on military, commercial, and repair work, supported by major ports and naval needs. Key players and locations:
- Huntington Ingalls Industries (Mayport, Jacksonville): Builds and repairs Navy vessels, including amphibious ships. Part of the "Big Six" yards; employs ~2,000.
- Eastern Shipbuilding Group (Panama City): Specializes in commercial tugs, ferries, and Coast Guard cutters (e.g., Offshore Patrol Cutters program, delayed by 2022 hurricane but resuming).
- Gulf Marine Repair (Tampa): Major for dry-docking, repairs, and conversions of commercial ships at Port Tampa Bay. Tampa's industry is thriving, with $1.2B in annual maritime economic impact; still a hub for superyacht refits and cargo vessels.
- Other Tampa-area firms: JBF Marine (Tampa) for steel fabrication; Tampa Ship Repair for maintenance. Industry persists despite older yards like Tampa Shipbuilding (closed 1980s).
- Miami: Limited large-scale building; focuses on yacht refits and small craft at PortMiami. Companies like Roscioli Yachting (Miami) handle custom luxury vessels, but not industrial-scale. Miami's role is more in maritime trade (~$43B annually) than production.
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?
Top luxury yacht builders in the United States, based on size, production capacity, and reputation in 2025:
Viking Yachts (New Gretna, Bass Harbor, ME): Largest by output, building 150-250 ft superyachts. Annual production ~100 vessels; focuses on sportfishing and motor yachts up to $20M+.
Westport Yachts (Westport, WA): Premier for custom composite superyachts (100-164 ft). Owned by Westport Group; delivers 8-10 per year, with builds exceeding $50M. Known for efficient, seaworthy designs.
Burger Boat Company (Manitowoc, WI): Builds bespoke luxury yachts (80-150 ft) since 1863. Specializes in aluminum and steel hulls; 2-4 yachts annually, prices from $10M to $40M.
Christensen Shipyards (Vancouver, WA): High-end custom superyachts (100-160 ft) with advanced composites. Acquired by忌 Palmer Johnson in 2022; focuses on explorer-style vessels up to $60M.
Delta Marine (Seattle, WA): Experts in massive custom yachts (up to 300+ ft), including expedition models. Builds 1-3 per year; renowned for innovative designs like the 328-ft 'Albatross'.
These firms dominate U.S. luxury yacht market, with Viking leading in volume. For current projects, check yachting-pages.com or manufacturer sites.
Are there any luxury yacht builders located in the state of Florida?
Yes, Florida hosts a vibrant luxury yacht building scene, especially in areas like Fort Lauderdale (the "Yachting Capital of the World") and Miami, with several top-tier custom builders operating there.
Key ones include:
Florida's industry thrives due to tax incentives, skilled labor, and proximity to marinas, producing dozens of custom yachts annually.