Hornblower Marine

What Hornblower Marine does

Hornblower Marine is a Bridgeport, Connecticut-based marine services company that designs, builds, converts, repowers, and manages vessels for commercial operators, government agencies, and offshore wind developers along the US East Coast. The company operates out of the Steelpointe Shipyard, a 17-acre facility with direct deep-water access to Long Island Sound, featuring a 90'x290'x80' climate-controlled production shed, three Marine Travel Lifts (up to 700 tons capacity and 52' beam), a 220-foot service dock, and 45,000 sq ft of indoor manufacturing space. Core capabilities span welding and fabrication, electrical and piping systems, joinery, outfitting, painting, engine sales and service, and hybrid/electric and hydrogen powertrain integration.

The product and project portfolio includes the management and design contribution to Sea Change, the world's first gaseous hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry (70-ft catamaran, three 120 kW fuel cells, 240 kg hydrogen storage, 100 kWh battery storage, and 2x 300 kW electric motors); the WINDEA CTV fleet of five hybrid-ready, Jones Act-compliant crew transfer vessels constructed concurrently at three shipyards for the US offshore wind industry; Hornblower Simplicity, an in-house tri-toon catamaran design with modular friction-stir-welded panels and diesel outboards; and the $240 million NYC Ferry 38-vessel aluminum-hull fleet delivered across six shipyards in under 42 months. Repowering, restoration, and conversion projects span tugboats (David Winslow with Tier III Baudouin engines), dinner vessels (Spirit of Boston, California Hornblower), and offshore wind service vessels (Gateway Endeavor, Capt. Les Eldridge).

The business combines project-based construction and conversion contracts (NYC Ferry, WINDEA CTV, Simplicity, individual retrofits) with authorized distribution and after-market service for Baudouin marine engines, Rehlko Marine commercial generators (5-500 kW), DEIF power management controls, and COX Marine diesel outboards through a dealer network spanning Maine to Virginia. Customers cluster across government/public transportation (NYC Ferry, San Juan ferry service), offshore wind (WINDEA CTV LLC, MidOcean Wind), hospitality (Spirit of Boston, California Hornblower), and commercial operators requiring Tier III repowering or specialized conversions; pricing is quote-based and project-specific. Hornblower Marine is a subsidiary of Hornblower Group (part of the City Experiences Network) and also operates a propulsion-focused facility in Stratford, CT.

Name

Hornblower Marine

Legal name

Hornblower Marine

Website

https://hornblowermarine.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hornblower Marine is a Bridgeport, Connecticut-based marine services company providing vessel construction, repair, repowering, and project management for government agencies, offshore wind developers, and commercial operators across the US East Coast, including authorized distribution of Baudouin and Rehlko marine propulsion products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Shipyard Services

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366), Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Ship Repair & Drydocking (TLAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Offshore Wind & Renewable Support Vessel Construction (SOV, CTV, WTIV) (IMAJACAG), Piping, HVAC & Auxiliary Systems Repair (TLAKAKAH), Naval & Government Vessel Maintenance & Modernization (TLAKAKAB)

Keywords

• Vessel construction services
• Marine propulsion systems
• Shipyard repair services
• Marine engine sales
• Offshore wind vessels

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgeport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vessel Construction and Renovation Services: Full-service vessel repair facility offering construction, renovation, overhaul, conversion, and retrofitting services for various vessel types including ferries, dinner boats, offshore supply vessels, and research vessels. Revenue generated through project-based contracts.
2. Marine Engine and Propulsion Sales: Authorized distributor of Baudouin marine engines and Rehlko Marine generators along the East Coast. Revenue from engine sales, installation, maintenance, and spare parts. Includes engine repowering and overhauling services.
3. Project Management and Consulting: Comprehensive project management services for vessel construction, including design oversight, regulatory compliance, procurement, commissioning, and post-construction support. Services include planning, scheduling, cost estimation, quality assurance, and sea trials.
4. Vessel Management and Operations: Ongoing vessel management services for owned and operated vessels including maintenance, repairs, and fleet management for entities like WINDEA CTV LLC joint venture.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Hornblower Marine operates a full-service shipyard in Bridgeport, CT providing vessel construction, renovation, overhaul, conversion, and retrofitting services for commercial ferries, offshore wind crew transfer vessels, dinner boats, tugboats, and research vessels. The company also serves as an authorized East Coast distributor for Baudouin marine propulsion engines and Rehlko Marine commercial generators, providing sales, installation, repowering, and maintenance through certified technicians. It further delivers comprehensive project management including design oversight, regulatory compliance, procurement, and commissioning for multi-shipyard vessel construction programs.

Product overview

Hornblower Marine is a premier provider of vessel construction, repair, management, and propulsion solutions based in Bridgeport, CT. The company operates a full-service shipyard offering integrated services including construction services, marine engine sales (Baudouin, Rehlko, DEIF, COX Marine products), and comprehensive project management. Key products include the WINDEA CTV fleet of offshore wind crew transfer vessels, Hornblower Simplicity in-house designed ferries, and the Sea Change hydrogen-powered ferry. Services span vessel construction, conversion, renovation, repowering, and ongoing maintenance for commercial, government, and private vessel operators across the East Coast maritime market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 38-vessel NYC Ferry fleet delivered at rate of approximately 1 vessel every 45 days, on time and on schedule in under 42 months
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MidOcean Wind LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in WINDEA CTV LLC for design, construction, and operation of crew transfer vessels specifically built for the US offshore wind industry. Hornblower Marine manages design and construction while Seaward Services provides crew operations.
• Switch Maritime, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Sea Change zero emissions hydrogen passenger ferry project - world's first hydrogen powered passenger vessel. Hornblower provided construction management, system design, system integration, and regulatory approval expertise.
• Incat CrowthercoreTechnology or IntegrationNaval architecture partner for Sea Change hydrogen ferry project, contributing to design and engineering of the 70-foot catamaran ferry.
• Zero Emission IndustriescoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Sea Change hydrogen fuel cell integration, contributing to the hydrogen fuel cell and electric propulsion system design.
• All America MarinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner for Sea Change vessel construction, building the 70-foot hydrogen fuel cell passenger catamaran ferry.
• DeJong & LebetcoreTechnology or IntegrationNaval architecture collaboration for Hornblower Simplicity - first in-house vessel design featuring modular components and innovative ferry construction methodology.
• Baudouin Engine ExpertscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Baudouin marine propulsion engines along the East Coast from Maine to Virginia. Provides engine sales, installation, maintenance, and technical support through certified technician network.
• Rehlko MarinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized sales and service provider for Rehlko Marine commercial diesel generators (5-500kW). Factory-trained technicians provide installation and maintenance support.
• COX MarineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents COX Marine diesel outboard technology focused on performance and sustainability, reducing emissions while delivering exceptional fuel efficiency.
• Seaward Services, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDivision of Hornblower Group providing crew to operate WINDEA CTV fleet and primary service provider for maintenance and repairs of the vessels.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Vigor Industrial: Pacific Northwest largest full-service shipyard providing vessel construction, repair, and conversion across commercial and government markets, broadly comparable to Hornblower as an established US shipyard operator.
• Edison Chouest Offshore: Large Louisiana-based offshore vessel operator and builder with a broader OSV and CTV portfolio across deepwater markets, comparable to Hornblower as a large incumbent in the offshore/CTV space.

Direct peers

• Senesco Marine: Rhode Island shipyard providing vessel construction, repair, and conversion services for commercial and government clients, directly comparable to Hornblower's Bridgeport shipyard operations.
• Master Boat Builders: Alabama shipyard performing vessel construction, repair, and conversion for commercial and government operators, directly comparable to Hornblower's mid-sized US shipyard service offering.
• Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding: Massachusetts shipyard building aluminum passenger ferries, pilot boats, and CTVs for East Coast operators, directly comparable to Hornblower's ferry and crew transfer vessel portfolio.
• Blount Boats: Rhode Island aluminum-hull shipyard that builds ferries, offshore supply vessels, and crew transfer vessels serving municipal and offshore customers, directly comparable to Hornblower Marine's ferry and CTV construction programs.
• Eastern Shipbuilding Group: Florida shipyard constructing ferries, offshore vessels, and government ships from steel and aluminum hulls, directly comparable to Hornblower in commercial and government vessel construction.
• All American Marine: Washington State builder of hybrid-electric ferries and offshore wind crew transfer vessels for US operators, directly comparable to Hornblower in advanced-propulsion and CTV construction.
• Metal Shark Boats: Louisiana aluminum shipbuilder producing passenger ferries, military, and response vessels, directly comparable to Hornblower's aluminum ferry and commercial vessel programs.
• Conrad Shipyard: Louisiana-based shipyard that constructs passenger ferries, government vessels, and offshore service ships, directly competing with Hornblower in the aluminum ferry and small commercial vessel market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hornblower-marine-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hornblower Marine