HII to reactivate Pascagoula River east bank facilities

Huntington Ingalls Industries' shipbuilding division plans to reactivate its facilities on the east bank of the Pascagoula River, the company announced today.

The site of the original Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., founded in 1938, was decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to an HII statement. The reactivation will restore the facility's ability to support Ingalls' current ship construction and modernization programs as well as help the company better prepare for future work, including next-generation amphibious assault ships and surface combatants.

"We are excited to be bringing the east bank back to life," Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said in a statement. "As we prepare to celebrate our 80th anniversary, what better way to do that than to announce that the original Ingalls facility will become a productive, vibrant part of the Pascagoula landscape once again."

Work will begin immediately on the project, which the company expects to require approximately two years to complete.

The primary component of the project includes the addition of large, covered areas for construction of ship assemblies and components as well as the restoration of an outfitting pier.

"We are using proven concepts from our west bank modernization as a guide for our east bank reactivation," said George Jones, Ingalls' vice president for operations. "Our employees are the best sources for innovative ideas. With their help, we have improved safety, efficiency and working conditions. We have some of the best shipbuilders in the country, and they deserve the best shipyard in which to work. From more covered work areas and better environmental controls, to state-of-the-art tools and technology, Ingalls is leading the way in modern military ship design and construction."