Adele

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.

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 spirit of Aloha, the "Adele" will sail the tides and seas with strength and purpose, protecting the crew and inspiring all who serve aboard her.

This new addition to the U.S. dredging fleet also aligns with the Trump Administration's focus on American shipbuilding and the need for the United States to control its own maritime destiny.

"We are proud to partner with The Dutra Group on this exciting new project that will substantially enhance its operations," said Joey D'Isernia, CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. "As the most experienced builder of dredges in the U.S., we are confident that we will deliver an exceptional vessel that will meet Dutra's customer's unique needs."

"This state-of-the art, technically efficient new build vessel is designed meet our nation's maritime infrastructure needs, now and in the future, as the low-cost provider dredging services, including channel deepening, maintenance dredging, beach nourishment and coastal restoration projects," said Harry K. Stewart, President and CEO at The Dutra Group. "America's military and consumers depend on our ability to keep our U.S. waterways open and safe."

The collaboration between The Dutra Group, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, and Royal IHC represents a blend of expertise and innovation. Eastern is experienced in building high-specification dredges in the U.S., which complements Royal IHC's advanced design capabilities, state-of-the-art dredging equipment, automation, and environmental awareness.