Bollinger Algiers as it is known to locals is one of Louisiana’s biggest private companies and it will be closing its doors after thirty-three years. The company wants to move from that location to a larger location in the Gulf Coast area, due to the company’s plans to combine its repair and maintenance operations.
“We recently reallocated the work being performed at Algiers to our other facilities along the Gulf Coast. Importantly, all jobs were relocated within our other 13 facilities as we continue to expand our workforce,” commented Bollginer’s spokesperson TJ Tatum.
Bollinger is not only the largest privately owned shipyard in Louisiana, but also the largest in the United States. This is due to the acquisition of Halter Marine in Mississippi which added 3,000 employees to the company. Halter Marine builds many of the US Coast Guard and Navy vessels.
Mrs. Jody, the largest of the vessels, has already sailed to Halter Marine and Miss Darby has sailed to her new home in Port Fourchon. Miss Darby will be reconditioned and up to par will be moved to Harvey’s larger shipyard. Workers are in the process of moving equipment and moving machine tools onto barges and trucks to go to a new home.
The current site is on the river side of the levee close to Algiers Ferry Terminal. Currently, it is owned by the Port of New Orleans and the port is negotiating with Bollinger about the eight years left on their lease.
“We are working with them on the terms of their lease to achieve a mutually beneficial transition. We have several interested parties in the riverfront property to ensure continuity of maritime commerce at the facility, says Kimberly Curth of The Port of New Orleans.
“It was good when the Bollinger crowd would all come in and leave their signed lifesavers hanging on the wall. We’re going to miss them,” says Curth.