Norfolk Naval Shipyard Completes $134 Million Submarine Refueling Complex

The completed complex is a $134 million investment under the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). It supports the shipyard's safe refueling and defueling of nuclear-powered submarines, including submarine inactivations, while expanding capacity and improving the configuration of maintenance spaces.

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic awarded Cianbro Corp. the design-bid-build contract for construction of the complex in October 2023.

"Today, we recognize our continued progress in meeting our mission to repair, modernize and inactivate our Navy's warships and training platforms," said Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard. "Dedicating this complex further fortifies our capabilities at Dry Dock 4 and positions us to service a variety of submarine classes for decades into the future."

The modernization addressed design limitations in the former complex that constrained efficiency, while adding upgraded radiological storage and workspace capacity to support reactor-servicing operations.

The complex will support defueling operations, including the inactivation of Ohio-class and Virginia-class submarines. It also provides training space for reactor-servicing personnel, helping prepare the workforce to safely perform these critical evolutions.

"This project demonstrates what is possible when the shipyard workforce, NAVFAC, program office and industry partners work together toward a common goal," Hakimzadeh said. "These investments strengthen our maintenance capability, increase capacity and ensure America's Shipyard remains ready to support the fleet."

The ceremony brought together representatives from NNSY, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, Program Executive Office Industrial Infrastructure, Cianbro Corp. and the shipyard workforce to recognize the milestone. Attendees also included Congressman Bobby Scott representing Virginia's 3rd Congressional District; Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas; members of the Portsmouth City Council; and staff members of Congresswoman Jen Kiggans representing Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.

The Dry Dock 4 Refueling Complex is the latest completed SIOP investment at NNSY. The modernization builds on the Dry Dock 4 infrastructure recapitalization completed in 2023 and advances the shipyard's ability to support the Navy's nuclear-powered fleet.

As one of the Navy's four public shipyards, NNSY provides critical capabilities supporting fleet readiness through the repair, modernization and inactivation of the Navy's warships and training platforms.