Colonna’s Shipyard, based in the Berkley section of Norfolk, plans to add a fourth dry dock in early 2028.
The 150-year-old family-owned company is investing more than $79 million for a dry dock with a lift capacity of about 25,000 tons. Dry docks, which can be flooded or drained, allow vessels to be removed from the water for access to areas typically submerged.
The project is part of Colonna’s effort to expand and modernize its facilities to meet the growing demand for critical ship repair, maintenance and conversion, machining and large steel fabrication services. The shipyard along the Elizabeth River includes three floating dry docks, a 1,000-ton marine travel lift and marine railway.
“The expansion of our dry dock capacity will further strengthen our ability to serve both our commercial and government clients, ensuring that we can meet their ever-evolving needs with unmatched expertise and reliability,” Randall Crutchfield, Colonna’s chairman and CEO said in a release. “This investment is also a continued commitment to our employees and the economic vitality of Norfolk’s industrial working waterfront, which has been an integral part of our success for over a century.”
The new dry dock, expected to be 147 feet wide and 725 feet long, is replacing one of the existing docks on the campus, spokesperson Ashley Wisniewski said in an email.
Colonna’s also plans to eventually expand the shipyard’s footprint by another 10 acres west of Spotico Creek and east of Interstate 464. The company acquired the property in 2019. Surrounding residents voiced concerns, and the Planning Commission recommended approving the land’s rezoning from multifamily to industrial. City Council is expected to vote on the rezoning at a future meeting.
Colonna’s Shipyard to add 4th dry dock in $79M investment
