Master Boat Builders has landed its first U.S. Navy defense shipbuilding contract as a primary shipyard. They will build three new Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels at their facility in Coden, Alabama.
There is an option for a fourth vessel as part of the agreement, which is expected to continue until 2029. The contract value has not been disclosed.
This contract marks an important advancement for the Gulf Coast shipbuilder, especially as the Navy aims to increase production by utilizing more U.S. shipyards.
“This award is a significant milestone for Master Boat and showcases the hard work and commitment of our skilled team, which has built our reputation over the past 45 years,” stated Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders.
“We appreciate the Navy’s trust in our team and are excited to enhance our role in supporting America’s maritime mission,” Rice continued. “As we deliver these vessels, we will keep investing in our people and operations along the Gulf Coast to ensure we provide the quality and performance our servicemembers rely on.”
From Navy Subcontractor to Prime Shipbuilder
Although Master Boat has worked with the Navy before, this award marks its first defense shipbuilding contract as the primary contractor.
Previously, the company collaborated with Austal USA under a distributed shipbuilding arrangement for the Navy’s Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship (T-ATS) program.
Under this partnership, announced last year, Master Boat is building two T-ATS hull modules at its facility in Coden before transporting them to Austal USA’s Mobile yard for final assembly. The fabrication process began earlier this year.
This arrangement is partly aimed at showing how smaller regional shipyards can take on parts of large government projects, which helps to free up capacity at larger yards and increases the number of facilities that can meet Navy construction standards.
The new LCU award furthers this concept by placing Master Boat directly in charge of delivering vessels to the Navy.
Master Boat and Austal USA formed their strategic partnership in September 2025, stating that spreading construction among Gulf Coast facilities could alleviate bottlenecks, shorten production times, and create additional capacity during surges.
Replacing an Aging Landing Craft Fleet
Landing Craft Utility vessels are crucial for the Navy and Marine Corps as they transport heavy equipment, vehicles, supplies, and personnel between amphibious ships and the shore.
Unlike faster air-cushion landing craft, LCUs are traditional vessels designed to carry large loads over extended distances.
The Navy's new LCU 1700 class is set to replace the older LCU 1610 fleet. These vessels, measuring around 139 feet, can carry up to 170 short tons of cargo—approximately 152 long tons—such as tanks and other heavy military gear.
The craft are equipped with a bow ramp and a stern gate that facilitate the movement of vehicles and cargo during loading and unloading. According to Navy specifications, they should have a range of about 1,200 nautical miles at 8 knots, allowing them to operate independently or from amphibious ships.
The Navy describes LCUs as heavy-lift connectors that can support amphibious operations, humanitarian aid, disaster response, port-clearing, and other missions.
Their role is becoming increasingly vital as the Navy and Marine Corps consider how to move forces, fuel, weapons, and equipment across spread-out operational areas in challenging maritime environments.
For Master Boat, this contract also adds another defense program to a Gulf Coast shipbuilding sector that is already managing a growing share of work for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
All three vessels, along with the optional fourth, will be constructed at Master Boat Builders’ shipyard in Coden.