Great Lakes Dredge And Dock

To safely execute vital marine projects by being the premier U.S. provider of offshore wind energy solutions.

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 4, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for Great Lakes Dredge And Dock was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

Powered by Leading AI Models

Anthropic

Industry-leading reasoning capabilities with 200K context window for comprehensive analysis

Google Gemini

State-of-the-art multimodal intelligence with real-time market data processing and trend analysis

OpenAI GPT

Advanced reasoning with comprehensive industry knowledge and strategic problem-solving capabilities

The Great Lakes Dredge & Dock SWOT analysis reveals a pivotal moment for the company. Its dominant position in the U.S. dredging market, protected by the Jones Act, provides a stable foundation and strong backlog. However, this strength is contrasted by historically volatile margins and high debt from its strategic, and necessary, pivot into the generational offshore wind opportunity. The key priorities underscore the core challenge: executing this ambitious wind energy transition flawlessly while simultaneously strengthening the profitability of its core business. Success hinges on disciplined project execution to convert its massive opportunities into shareholder value, mitigating the significant financial and operational risks of this transformation. The next 24 months will be critical in proving the efficacy of this bold strategy, defining GLDD for the next decade as either a green energy enabler or a cautionary tale of ambitious expansion.

Boskalis Van Oord DEME Group Manson Construction Co. Weeks Marine

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To safely execute vital marine projects by being the premier U.S. provider of offshore wind energy solutions.

Toggle Theme

Strengths

BACKLOG: Record $1.07B backlog provides strong revenue visibility for 2025.
JONES ACT: U.S. flagged fleet provides a powerful moat against competition.
EXPERTISE: 130+ years executing complex marine projects builds deep trust.
USACE TIES: Long-standing relationship with top customer ensures steady work.
FLEET: Largest and most diverse dredging fleet in the United States.

Weaknesses

MARGINS: Historical gross profit margin volatility remains a key concern.
DEBT: High leverage from vessel construction ($455M) is a financial risk.
EXECUTION: Past project delays and cost overruns have impacted performance.
DEPENDENCE: Heavy reliance on cyclical government contracts (USACE).
LABOR: Shortage of specialized maritime labor constrains fleet operations.

Opportunities

WIND: Generational opportunity in nascent US offshore wind market (30GW).
INFRASTRUCTURE: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds port & waterway work.
CLIMATE: Growing demand for coastal protection due to rising sea levels.
LNG: Expansion of LNG export facilities requires significant new dredging.
DIVERSIFICATION: New revenue streams from offshore wind reduce cyclicality.

Threats

PERMITTING: Protracted wind farm permitting delays could stall projects.
COMPETITION: Experienced European firms entering the U.S. wind market.
INPUT COSTS: Volatile fuel and steel prices threaten project profitability.
REGULATION: Potential for Jones Act waivers could increase competition.
POLITICS: Shifting energy policies could impact offshore wind subsidies.

Key Priorities

WIND EXECUTION: Flawlessly execute entry into offshore wind to capture market.
MARGIN EXPANSION: Systematically improve profitability on core dredging work.
BACKLOG CONVERSION: Efficiently convert record backlog into profitable revenue.
DEBT MANAGEMENT: Prudently manage balance sheet during peak investment cycle.

Create professional SWOT analyses in minutes with our AI template. Get insights that drive real results.

Get Free SWOT Analysis Template

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock OKR

Updated: October 4, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This Great Lakes Dredge & Dock OKR plan is a masterclass in strategic focus. It directly translates the core challenges from the SWOT—wind execution, margin pressure, and debt—into clear, ambitious, and measurable outcomes. The objectives are inspiring and concise, providing a rallying cry for the entire organization. The key results are potent; they blend operational drivers (uptime, fuel efficiency) with crucial financial milestones (leverage ratio, cash flow) and strategic imperatives (securing wind contracts). This plan doesn't just list activities; it defines victory for the next year. If executed, this OKR framework will successfully navigate GLDD through its critical transformation, balancing the demands of its legacy business with the immense promise of its future in renewable energy.

Boskalis Van Oord DEME Group Manson Construction Co. Weeks Marine

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To safely execute vital marine projects by being the premier U.S. provider of offshore wind energy solutions.

WIN OFFSHORE

Become the undisputed leader in US offshore wind construction.

VESSEL: Achieve on-time, on-budget delivery and full commissioning of our offshore wind rock vessel, the *Galilei*.
CONTRACTS: Secure the first major subsea rock installation contract for the Empire Wind project by Q3.
READINESS: Attain 100% crew certification and operational readiness for all offshore wind assets.
PARTNERSHIPS: Establish a strategic joint venture for turbine foundation installation services by year-end.

BOOST MARGINS

Drive best-in-class profitability across our dredging fleet.

BIDDING: Increase gross margin on newly awarded dredging contracts by 200 basis points using a new pricing model.
EFFICIENCY: Reduce fleet-wide fuel consumption by 5% through deployment of AI-powered routing optimization.
UPTIME: Decrease unplanned vessel downtime by 20% by implementing a new predictive maintenance program.
UTILIZATION: Increase trailing twelve-month hopper dredge utilization rate from a baseline of 80% to 90%.

EXECUTE FLAWLESSLY

Convert our record backlog into revenue with precision.

ON-TIME: Achieve 95% on-time milestone completion for the top 10 largest revenue-generating projects.
DASHBOARD: Launch a real-time project progress, budget, and margin dashboard for all division leaders.
SAFETY: Reduce the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) by 15% year-over-year across all active jobsites.
CUSTOMER: Attain an average CPARS rating of 'Very Good' or higher on all completed USACE projects.

FORTIFY FINANCES

Strengthen our balance sheet to fund future growth.

LEVERAGE: Reduce the net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio from 4.0x to below 3.0x through earnings growth.
CASH FLOW: Generate positive free cash flow (after all capex) for four consecutive quarters.
CAPEX: Finalize the long-term financing package for the second offshore wind vessel, the *Acadia*, by Q4.
INVESTORS: Execute a new capital allocation plan that clearly outlines debt paydown and growth investment.

METRICS

Adjusted EBITDA Margin: 15%
Total Backlog Value: $1.2B
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio: <3.0x

VALUES

Safety First
Integrity and Ethics
Excellence in Execution
Sustainability

Build strategic OKRs that actually work. AI insights meet beautiful design for maximum impact.

Get Free OKR Template

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

GLDD Q1 2024 Earnings Report and Investor Presentation
GLDD 2023 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Company Website (gldd.com) for mission and executive info
Public financial data sources for market cap and stock info
Industry reports on US offshore wind and dredging markets

Boskalis Van Oord DEME Group Manson Construction Co. Weeks Marine

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To safely execute vital marine projects by being the premier U.S. provider of offshore wind energy solutions.

Toggle Theme

What Went Well

REVENUE: Strong revenue growth driven by a robust dredging market.
BACKLOG: Maintained a near-record project backlog, ensuring future revenue.
WIND: Progress on offshore wind vessel construction remains on schedule.
UTILIZATION: High vessel utilization rates in the domestic dredging fleet.
SAFETY: Continued strong safety performance across all project sites.

Not So Well

PROFITABILITY: Gross margins, while improving, remain below historical highs.
CASH FLOW: Negative operating cash flow due to working capital changes.
PROJECTS: Specific project delays impacted quarterly financial results.
COSTS: Inflationary pressures on fuel and labor continue to be a headwind.
DEBT: Leverage remains elevated due to ongoing capex for new vessels.

Learnings

PRICING: New bids must more accurately reflect current inflationary reality.
EXECUTION: Even small project delays can have a significant margin impact.
SUPPLY CHAIN: Proactive management of shipyard supply chains is non-negotiable.
WORKING CAPITAL: Bidding and contract terms must focus on cash flow cycles.
COMMUNICATION: Market is highly sensitive to project margin and timeline updates.

Action Items

BIDS: Implement a revised bidding model with higher inflation contingencies.
CONTROLS: Deploy enhanced real-time monitoring for top 5 key projects.
SUPPLIERS: Increase on-site presence at shipyards building new vessels.
FINANCE: Explore options to optimize working capital on large contracts.
INVESTORS: Clearly communicate project milestones and margin drivers.

Run better retrospectives in minutes. Get insights that improve your team.

Get Free Retro Template

Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

Explore specialized team insights and strategies

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

GLDD Q1 2024 Earnings Report and Investor Presentation
GLDD 2023 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Company Website (gldd.com) for mission and executive info
Public financial data sources for market cap and stock info
Industry reports on US offshore wind and dredging markets

Founded: 1890
Market Share: Leading U.S. dredging market share (~50%).
Customer Base: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, port authorities, energy firms.
Category:
Marine Construction
SIC Code: 1629
NAICS Code: 237990 Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Location: Houston, Texas
Zip Code: 77042
Congressional District: TX-7 HOUSTON
Employees: 800

Competitors

Boskalis Request Analysis

Van Oord Request Analysis

DEME Group Request Analysis

Manson Construction Co. Request Analysis

Weeks Marine Request Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

GLDD Q1 2024 Earnings Report and Investor Presentation
GLDD 2023 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Company Website (gldd.com) for mission and executive info
Public financial data sources for market cap and stock info
Industry reports on US offshore wind and dredging markets

Problem

Ports need deepening for larger vessels.
Coastlines require protection from erosion.
US lacks vessels for offshore wind farms.

Solution

Capital and maintenance dredging services.
Coastal restoration and beach nourishment.
Subsea rock installation for wind turbines.

Key Metrics

Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Total Backlog.
Vessel Utilization Rate, Safety (TRIR).

Unique

Largest U.S. flagged fleet (Jones Act).
130+ years of complex project experience.
First U.S. subsea rock installation vessel.

Advantage

Regulatory moat via the Jones Act.
Long-term relationships with USACE.
Scale and specialized asset base.

Channels

Direct bidding on federal/state contracts.
Negotiated contracts with private energy firms.
Joint ventures for large-scale projects.

Customer Segments

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Federal, state, and local governments.
Offshore wind developers, energy companies.

Costs

Vessel construction and maintenance (CapEx).
Fuel, labor, and dry-docking (OpEx).
Interest expense on corporate debt.

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 4, 2025

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock executes America's most vital marine infrastructure projects. By deploying the nation's largest specialized fleet, it de-risks complex construction, enables energy independence through offshore wind, and protects coastal communities. The company's work ensures resilient ports, sustainable energy, and a stronger economy, backed by over a century of proven expertise and a powerful regulatory advantage.

DE-RISKING: We mitigate risk on critical marine infrastructure projects.

ENABLING: Our fleet enables US energy independence and global trade.

PROTECTING: We build resilient coastlines to protect communities.

Before State

Clogged shipping channels restrict trade.
Coastlines eroding from storm surge.
Lack of US vessels for offshore wind.

After State

Deeper, wider ports for larger ships.
Restored beaches and protected coasts.
US-built offshore wind farms online.

Negative Impacts

Economic losses from inefficient ports.
Vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
Delayed clean energy infrastructure.

Positive Outcomes

Increased global trade and commerce.
Enhanced coastal resilience and safety.
US energy independence and sustainability.

Key Metrics

Customer Retention Rates - Est. 90%+ with key government clients.

Net Promoter Score (NPS) - Not public, likely high with USACE.

User Growth Rate - Measured by project backlog growth, +20% YoY.

Customer Feedback/Reviews - Not applicable (B2B/B2G contracts).

Repeat Purchase Rates) - Very high due to long-term contracts.

Requirements

Specialized, large-scale dredging fleet.
Advanced subsea rock installation vessels.
Expertise in complex marine engineering.

Why Great Lakes Dredge And Dock

Deploying largest US dredging fleet.
Building the first US offshore wind vessel.
Leveraging 130+ years of experience.

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Competitive Advantage

Jones Act creates a powerful legal moat.
Unmatched fleet scale and capabilities.
Deep US Army Corps of Engineers ties.

Proof Points

Awarded first major US offshore wind rock job.
$1.07 billion project backlog (Q1 2024).
130+ years of successful project delivery.

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

GLDD Q1 2024 Earnings Report and Investor Presentation
GLDD 2023 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Company Website (gldd.com) for mission and executive info
Public financial data sources for market cap and stock info
Industry reports on US offshore wind and dredging markets

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Dominate the US offshore wind marine construction market.

Solidify leadership in coastal protection projects.

Achieve top-quartile project margins & safety.

Prudently manage balance sheet and investments.

What You Do

Provide essential marine construction, dredging & coastal services.

Target Market

Governments and energy companies requiring complex marine work.

Differentiation

Largest U.S. flagged fleet, protected by the Jones Act.
Unmatched 130+ years of project experience in U.S. waters.

Revenue Streams

Fixed-price government contracts (dredging).
Service contracts for offshore wind installation.

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

GLDD Q1 2024 Earnings Report and Investor Presentation
GLDD 2023 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Company Website (gldd.com) for mission and executive info
Public financial data sources for market cap and stock info
Industry reports on US offshore wind and dredging markets

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Divisional structure: Dredging and Offshore Wind.
Supply Chain: Shipyards for vessel construction, fuel suppliers, parts vendors.
Tech Patents: Proprietary dredging techniques and operational efficiencies.
Website: https://www.gldd.com/

Top Clients

Board Members

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

Very Low. The Jones Act creates a formidable legal barrier, and the extremely high capital cost of a competitive fleet is prohibitive.

Supplier Power

Moderate. Specialized shipyards (Philly Shipyard) and engine manufacturers (Caterpillar) have some pricing power for critical components.

Buyer Power

High. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the single largest customer, giving it significant influence over contract terms and pricing.

Threat of Substitution

Very Low. There are no practical, scalable substitutes for mechanical dredging or subsea rock installation for marine infrastructure.

Competitive Rivalry

High. The U.S. market is an oligopoly with a few large, established players (Weeks, Manson) competing fiercely for major projects.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 4, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Great Lakes Dredge & Dock AI SWOT analysis highlights a significant, untapped opportunity. The company possesses a powerful, proprietary data advantage from over a century of operations, which is the essential fuel for any impactful AI. However, this potential is locked behind legacy systems and a skills gap in data science. The most immediate and valuable applications are not moonshots, but practical optimizations in bidding, fuel consumption, and predictive maintenance. By focusing on these core operational levers, GLDD can use AI as a tool to directly address its primary business challenges: margin improvement and execution efficiency. The strategic imperative is to begin building the foundational data infrastructure and targeted AI capabilities now, ensuring that technological advancement translates directly into improved profitability and a stronger competitive edge in both dredging and the new offshore wind arena.

Boskalis Van Oord DEME Group Manson Construction Co. Weeks Marine

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To safely execute vital marine projects by being the premier U.S. provider of offshore wind energy solutions.

Strengths

DATA: 130+ years of hydrographic survey and project data for AI models.
ASSETS: Physical fleet provides a testbed for operational AI optimization.
EXPERTISE: Deep domain knowledge to guide relevant AI use case development.
SCALE: Largest fleet generates massive datasets for continuous learning.
PROCESS: Established bidding processes can be augmented with AI modeling.

Weaknesses

LEGACY SYSTEMS: Outdated onboard IT infrastructure may hinder data collection.
TALENT: Lack of in-house AI/ML expertise to build and deploy models.
CULTURE: Traditional, operations-focused culture may resist AI adoption.
INTEGRATION: Difficulty integrating disparate data sources across the fleet.
INVESTMENT: Competing capital needs may limit budget for AI initiatives.

Opportunities

BIDDING: AI models to predict competitor bids and optimize margin/win rate.
OPERATIONS: AI-driven fuel optimization and dredge routing to cut costs.
MAINTENANCE: Predictive AI to forecast equipment failure, reducing downtime.
SURVEYING: AI analysis of survey data to speed up project planning.
SAFETY: AI-powered monitoring systems to identify and mitigate jobsite risks.

Threats

COMPETITION: Tech-forward rivals using AI to underbid on key projects.
DISRUPTION: New entrants using AI-native platforms to manage marine work.
SECURITY: Increased cybersecurity risks from connected, AI-enabled vessels.
RELIANCE: Over-reliance on flawed AI models leading to poor bid decisions.
OBSOLESCENCE: Failure to adopt AI could render current methods uncompetitive.

Key Priorities

OPTIMIZATION: Deploy AI for fleet fuel usage and operational efficiency.
BIDDING: Develop an AI-powered model to improve bid accuracy and win rates.
MAINTENANCE: Implement predictive maintenance AI to increase vessel uptime.
DATA: Build a unified data platform to support all future AI initiatives.

Create professional SWOT analyses in minutes with our AI template. Get insights that drive real results.

Get Free SWOT Analysis Template

Great Lakes Dredge And Dock Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

GLDD Q1 2024 Earnings Report and Investor Presentation
GLDD 2023 Annual Report (10-K Filing)
Company Website (gldd.com) for mission and executive info
Public financial data sources for market cap and stock info
Industry reports on US offshore wind and dredging markets

Profit: -$1.3 Million Net Income (TTM as of Q1 2024)

Market Cap: $490 Million (as of mid-2024)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: Available on the company's investor relations website.

Debt: $455 Million (Total Debt as of Q1 2024)

ROI Impact: High capex for new vessels temporarily pressures ROI metrics.

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Market Leader

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

GLDD scores well on ambition, tackling societal-scale energy transition. However, achievability is tempered by significant execution and financial risks, reflected in a high Downside SWOT score. The OKRs are strong and directly address weaknesses. The final Iconic Index reflects a solid Market Leader undergoing a high-stakes, high-reward transformation. The Growth Multiplier is modest, indicating the market needs to see consistent execution on the new strategy before pricing in exponential growth.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 83.3 Risk: 76.7

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

Flawless execution of first offshore wind projects.

Sustainably improve core dredging project margins.

Disciplined debt reduction and cash flow generation.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

Next Step

Want to see how the Alignment Method could surface unique insights for your business?

Request your custom report Contact our team

About Alignment LLC

Alignment LLC specializes in AI-powered business analysis. Through the Alignment Method, we combine advanced prompting, structured frameworks, and expert oversight to deliver actionable insights that help companies understand how AI sees their data and market position.