A new ocean transport barge that will support the delivery of Columbia– and Virginia-class submarine modules between Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat arrived at NNS for the first time in August.

Holland, a 400-by-100-foot barge, came to NNS from Groton, Connecticut, to begin testing and pier interface commissioning.

A new berthing area was built at the northwest corner of Dry Dock 12 to support the transportation of Columbia-class modules. Due to Holland’s large size, the existing berthing area near the Modular Outfitting Facility (MOF) was modified to support the transportation of Virginia-class modules.

The barge’s name pays tribute to John Holland, an Irish-born immigrant who designed the first submarine purchased by the U.S. Navy.