US Navy accepts delivery of sixth berthing barge

February 19, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The US Navy has accepted the delivery of the sixth auxiliary personnel lighter–small (APL 72) class berthing and messing barge from Bollinger Shipyards.

As informed, the delivery happened following the recent completion of acceptance trials. APL 72 will provide critical berthing and support infrastructure.

The successful trials validate the platform’s performance and readiness to support operational demands from day one.

At about 82 meters long, APLs serve as afloat berthing and support hubs equipped with workspaces, medical facilities, fitness areas, and dining services capable of feeding more than 1,100 sailors daily, with living accommodations for over 600 personnel.

In 2023, the US Navy contracted Bollinger to build the sixth barge. The construction took place at the Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.

The first five APLs were constructed by VT Halter Marine, which was acquired by Bollinger Shipyards in late 2022. Halter secured the original contract in 2018 for two units, with options for four additional vessels.

In 2024, Bollinger scored the deal for the sevent unit in this class.

Bollinger Shipyards inks deal to build US Navy’s new berthing barge

Vessels

Berthing barges are used by the navy to house crewmembers when ships are in port for availabilities and inter-deployment training cycles.

Bollinger tailors the barge’s mobility requirement into the design, to ensure they can be towed to new bases or shipyards to support changing fleet requirements. Such mobility offers additional capabilities to serve humanitarian missions and other temporary assignments.