Colonna's Shipyard

Colonna's Shipyard, Inc. is located in the historic Berkley section of Norfolk, Virginia and is the oldest continuous family owned and operated private shipyard in the United States. Founded in 1875 by Charles J. Colonna, a 26 year old ship carpenter with limited resources, the early business was limited to pier-side repairs. Within 2 years, Charles had added his first marine railway powered by two horses that had a lift capacity of about 40 tons, and he was off and running. Although over 140 years old, Colonna's Shipyard continues to maintain its commitment to modernization, making the capital investments necessary for improvements in efficiency and productivity.

The shop provides specialized training for Welders, Burners and Fitters through various apprenticeship programs, including Tidewater Maritime Training Institute Welding School, Burning School, Pipefitting School, QA Training, and welding process certifications.

The Welding Shop supports the Structural/Sheet Metal and Pipe Shops in the installation, removal, upgrade and fabrication of vessels' structures and distributive systems. Specialized training and experience of shop personnel include Certification and Qualification to weld in accordance with DoD, NAVSEA, ABS, USCG, and AWS certification requirements. Our qualified welding processes include: FCAW, GMAW, GMAWS, GTAW, SAW, SMAW and SW. A staff of NDT inspectors reporting separately to the QA staff who perform both shop and shipboard quality inspections augments the shop.

This shop is used to support wood-working and insulation/lagging projects. The shop assists in providing protection for equipment that may be stored outside and exposed to the elements of weather. Types of work that this shop can accomplish include: Manufacture Boxes, Crates and Skids (Pallets) for transportation and protection of material and equipment. Manufacture and repair cabinets, stands, shelves, countertops, etc. for interior work.

Colonna's Shipyard is looking for highly skilled and enthusiastic craftsmen to join our team. Since 1875, we have recognized the need for a diversified workforce with the right combination of skills, experience and education. We focus on recruiting and developing the best candidates from entry level to experienced professionals for a wide range of career opportunities in the maritime industry. As one of America's oldest shipyards, Colonna's has built a reputation of excellence in ship repair, fabrication and machining and remains committed to providing a safe and productive work environment.

To become the preferred provider of high quality, time critical maintenance, repair, and fabrication services to the marine and industrial markets in the region. We will strive to create the best long term value for all stakeholders who include our clients, employees, vendors, subcontractors, and stakeholders. Take pride in our work and our company. Our best is valued and we are committed to being productive, responsible and finishing what we start. We will deliver excellence, strive for improvement and respond openly to change.

Times were hard and money scarce, but it was an exciting time for this 26 year old ship's carpenter starting his own business. The Great Struggle had ended and a reunited nation had begun an era of growth never before experienced. The Port was busy and full of vessels in need of repairs; thus Charles J. found himself in the midst of a thriving seaport with every opportunity to succeed through hard work. The first years of operation were very hard for Charles J.; there was an abundance of work but profits were quite small and credit, as we know it today, did not exist.

Colonna's Shipyard, Inc. is a diversified industrial company, with multiple divisions and affiliates delivering the highest quality ship repair, machining and steel fabrication services to both the commercial and government markets. We're a 100+ acre, full-service ship service and boat repair facility with three floating dry docks, one Marine Railway, a 1,000mt Marine Travelift, and several piers and ship berthing spaces.