Erie Shipbuilding LLC
Erie Shipbuilding LLC. is a major U.S. shipyard located on the Great Lakes, in the Lake Erie port of Erie, Pennsylvania. The shipyard was founded by Dirk VanEnkevort in October 2005, when he took over the lease of the former Litton Industries property from the Erie Western-Pennsylvania Port Authority for a price of $500,000 per year.
The shipyard is a major employer in Erie County, currently employing nearly 200 people and adding more every day as new contracts for construction and repairs are awarded to the company. The company is one of the few economic bright spots in the Erie region, which has seen major employers like GAF and Steris leave over the past few years, only to be replaced by low-paying service sector jobs.
During the first winter in business, the shipyard, which employed AbOUT 60 people full-time, completed the following projects:
Conversion of the Steamer BUCKEYE into the barge LEWIS J. KUBER
Repowering of the tug JOSEPH H. THOMPSON JR.
Miscellaneous work on the Steamer CASON J. CALLAWAY
The five-year inspection, painting, and miscellaneous work on the barge JOSEPH H. THOMPSON
In the yard's second winter in business, it completed miscellaneous repairs on the Steamer PHILIP R. CLARKE, as well as beginning construction on a 245-foot long dump scow for Donjon Marine, christened the WITTE 4003. In addition, they are currently constructing six 165' deck barges for Port Albany Ventures and Donjon Marine, the PAV 101, PAV 102, PAV 103, SUE B., WITTE 1401, and WITTE 1402.
In addition, the company has constructed several components for GE locomotives, as GE Transportation is located in Erie, Pennsylvania as well.