BAE Jacksonville breaks ground for $200 million Pearlson Shiplift complex

L to R: Vic Williams, longest serving BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair employee; Paul Smith, Vice President & General manager, BAE Systems Ship Repair; Tim Spratto, vice president & general manager, BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair; Kelly Pearlson Fraind, president & COO, Pearlson Shiplift Corporation; U.S. Representative Aaron Bean, Congressman, 4th District, Florida; Jeremy Tondreault, president, BAE Systems Platforms & Services Sector. [Photo: BAE Systems]

BAE Systems officially began construction of a new Pearlson Shiplift and land-level repair complex at its Jacksonville, Fla., shipyard with a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday. The company first revealed its plans to build the $200 million complex in December 2022.

The complex will feature a state-of-the-art shiplift system built by Pearlson Shiplift Corporation. The lift’s 492-foot by 110-foot articulated platform can easily accommodate a Flight III U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer or a commercial vessel displacing about 25,000 tons.

The shipyard modernization project involves Pearlson Shiplift Corporation, Foth Engineering, and Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., in major construction roles. Foth along with Pearlson Shiplift are responsible for the overall facility design, construction management and engineering, and key equipment supply. Kiewit will serve as general contractor for the project.

When complete in 2025, the new complex will expand the shipyard’s docking capacity by 300%. The construction and operation of the repair facility is expected to generate approximately 1,000 new jobs.

Once out of the water, drydocked ships will be moved from the shiplift platform to one of several repair berths inside the shipyard by a series of self-propelled modular transporters and a Pearlson-designed cradle system. The land-level repair area in the shipyard will provide electrical, sewage, and water services to docked ships, as well as storm water containment. These services will permit repair work to occur onboard several ships simultaneously without encumbering the shiplift platform or other work in the shipyard.

In addition to supporting the Navy’s surface fleet at Naval Station Mayport, BAE Systems expects to expand its offerings in the commercial ship repair market. The port of Jacksonville is the 14th largest container port in the U.S. Numerous workboats, such as tugs and barges, and larger commercial vessels operate in or pass through the port.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were U.S. Representative Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Pearlson’s president and COO Kelly Pearlson Fraind, and BAE Systems platforms & services president Jeremy Tondreault.

“BAE Systems Ship Repair is an economic engine of Florida’s seacoast region, and since 1964, has brought great pride to our state by strengthening our role in national defense,” said Rep. Bean. “The modern ship lift and land level repair facility will improve production efficiency, overall reliability and expand ship capacity to counter China’s growing naval ambitions. In Congress, I will support Jacksonville’s maritime industrial base to solidify our legacy as the most formidable naval force in the world for future generations.”

“Pearlson’s team worked with BAE Systems personnel on the ground in Jacksonville to deliver a comprehensive, detailed design that meets the shipyard’s needs and delivers unparalleled capability,” said Kelly Pearlson Fraind. “The new Pearlson Shiplift System and land level facility for BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair, when commissioned, will be the largest in both North and South America and the most modern shiplift facility in the world.”

“The shiplift project is a significant investment by BAE Systems in the Jacksonville port, and we look forward to building this new complex to expand our shipyard’s capacity to meet commercial and government ship repair needs,” said Tondreault. “We also appreciate the support and contributions of the state and local leaders, and all of our partners, who helped to make this a reality.”

BAE Systems Ship Repair operates three full-service shipyards in California, Florida, and Virginia. Located two miles from the Atlantic Ocean on the St. Johns River, BAE Systems’ Jacksonville shipyard specializes in repair and refit work of cruise ships, offshore vessels, private super yachts, research and government vessels, tugs and barges, and U.S. Coast Guard and Navy vessels.