Colonna's Shipyard to add 4th dry dock in $79M investment

Colonna’s Shipyard, based in the Berkley section of Norfolk, plans to add a fourth dry dock in early 2028.

The 150-year-old family-owned company is investing more than $79 million for a dry dock with a lift capacity of about 25,000 tons. Dry docks, which can be flooded or drained, allow vessels to be removed from the water for access to areas typically submerged.

The project is part of Colonna’s effort to expand and modernize its facilities to meet the growing demand for critical ship repair, maintenance and conversion, machining and large steel fabrication services. The shipyard along the Elizabeth River includes three floating dry docks, a 1,000-ton marine travel lift and marine railway.

“The expansion of our dry dock capacity will further strengthen our ability to serve both our co