San Diego Naval Ship Repair Yard Breaks Ground on New Pier
October 15, 2012
Byline: The Log Staff
SAN DIEGO — BAE Systems broke ground Sept. 5 on construction of a new pier at its ship repair facility on San Diego Bay. The project, estimated to cost approximately $15 million, is expected to be completed in 2014 and will increase the company’s shipyard capacity from five to seven ships. The project will allow the company to enhance and modernize its repair capabilities, serving the Navy, government agencies and commercial customers.
“This new pier will be a major step forward for our business, and for the local economy as a whole,” said Bob Kilpatrick, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair. “The construction will completely transform approximately 35 percent of our shipyard’s waterfront, so that we can accommodate and work on the newest Navy ships.”
The news comes following the Navy’s agreement, reached in June 2011, that calls for BAE Systems to repair and modernize its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers at a cost of up to $315 million.
According to BAE’s environmental impact report submitted to the Port of San Diego, the project will include the demolition of piers 4 and 5, replacing the two outdated piers with one new pier.
The pier will measure approximately 600 feet in length and will include two berths. It will enable pierside repairs and modifications of large commercial and military ships, including the Navy’s CG-47 and DDG-51 classes of ships.
The pier will also support the Navy’s new U.S. Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) that will come to San Diego Bay for routine repairs.
The construction has been approved by the Port of San Diego and will proceed under applicable permits, rules and regulations issued by local, state and federal agencies. BAE Systems Ship Repair, a business area of BAE Systems Support Solutions, is a leading non-nuclear ship repair, modernization and conversion company, focusing on dry dock and maintenance and modernization services for the Navy, other defense agencies and commercial customers.
The company also specializes in the new construction of commercial vessels. In addition to San Diego, BAE Systems Ship Repair has major operations in Norfolk, Va.; San Francisco; Honolulu; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Mobile, Ala.
