NASSCO Completes Drydock Extension

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) has completed the 200-ft. extension to its floating drydock. The work took five months to complete and included cutting the drydock in half to add the 200-ft. section to its center. The $20 million project expanded the drydock to a length of 785 ft., which will allow it to accommodate larger ships. The extension was a requirement for starting work on a $490 million contract for the U.S. Navy for the phased maintenance of six LHA- and LHD-class ships. The contract is for a seven-year program, with an option for an additional two years. Six ships are scheduled to be homeported in San Diego during the contract period: USS Tarawa, USS Belleau Wood, USS Peleliu, USS Essex, USS Boxer, and USS Bonhomme Richard.