Eastern Shipbuilding to Build Hopper Dredge for Dutra

The Dutra Group is proud to announce the issuance of a Notice to Proceed for the new-build construction of a 10,464 cubic yard Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge, the “Adele” at Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. The “Adele” will be constructed at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s Allanton and Port St. Joe Florida facilities. Delivery is scheduled for late 2028. The “Adele” will join The Dutra Group’s 9,870 cubic yard Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge “Stuyvesant” serving our nation’s essential waterways.

Based in San Rafael, California, The Dutra Group is a leading heavy civil marine contractor focused on strengthening our nation’s maritime infrastructure through sustainable dredging and marine construction.  “This major investment continues The Dutra Group’s recapitalization efforts and focuses our resources on Dutra’s commitment to supporting America’s Jones Act fleet, our U.S. shipyards, and our nation’s maritime and economic security needs,” said Bill T. Dutra, founder and Chairman. “The “Adele” will be American-owned, American-built, American flagged, and most importantly, American crewed.” 

The new vessel’s name honors Bill Dutra’s mother, Adele Coelho. She was born on December 4, 1924 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Raised on the island of Molokai, she subsequently worked as a receptionist to the US Army Corp of Engineers at Pearl Harbor where she met Bill’s father Edward, who was then a captain in the U.S. civilian dredging fleet under the Jones Act. At that time, the U.S. was at war, and it required the civilian fleet of dredges and transport equipment to ultimately retake the Pacific theater and restore our freedom. Adele’s contribution to the civilian military fleet at Pearl Harbor was her patriotic way of defending her country’s heritage. She understood the importance of family, or Ohana, and embodied the Aloha spirit of love, kindness, and respect. The “Adele” will represent her heritage and commitment to her homeland. Guided by that