# Swiftships

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American shipbuilding and marine engineering company

**Swiftships** is a [shipbuilding](/source/Shipbuilding) and [marine engineering](/source/Marine_engineering) company headquartered in the [Port of South Louisiana](/source/Port_of_South_Louisiana), United States.[1] The company operates globally[2] and specialized in the construction of small to medium sized [vessels](/source/Watercraft) made of steel, aluminum or [fiberglass](/source/Fiberglass).[1][3] Swiftships is involved in ship design, construction, repair and maintenance activities.

## History

Founded by Fred Sewart in 1942, Swiftships began as Sewart Machine Works and then as Sewart Seacraft[4] in 1946. The company became a supplier of "[Swift Boats](/source/Patrol_Craft_Fast)" to the [US Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) during the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War) (Swiftships delivered 193 [Fast Patrol Crafts](/source/Patrol_Craft_Fast) to the US Navy throughout the conflict).[2] The mission objective of the Swift Boat was to provide the Navy with a fast boat that could patrol the river shores for enemy soldiers.[5]

In 1969 the company was renamed as Swiftships.[6][1]

Since 2004 and for the next years, Swiftships built ships for the oil and gas industry of the [Gulf of Mexico](/source/Gulf_of_Mexico)[7][8] and restored vessels for the Dominican Republic.[9]

The company created its first fully [unmanned surface vehicle](/source/Unmanned_surface_vehicle) in 2015, called Anaconda (AN-1), and later the Anaconda (AN-2), for which Swiftships teamed with the [University of Louisiana at Lafayette](/source/University_of_Louisiana_at_Lafayette)[10] and augmented technology developers.[11][12]

Since 1942 Swiftships has designed and built over 600 [naval vessels](/source/Naval_ship) and commercial platforms.[3]

In March 2026, Swiftships filed for [Chapter 11 bankruptcy](/source/Chapter_11_bankruptcy) protection, listing assets and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million.[13]

### Co-production

In 2008 the company signed a contract with the [Egyptian Navy](/source/Egyptian_Navy), initiating a co-production program, building vessels in-country.[14] The partnership includes a yard in Alexandria, where the company produces [patrol crafts](/source/Patrol_boat).[15]

In 2009, Swiftships was awarded a contract by the [U.S. Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) to provide Follow on Technical Support on behalf of the [Iraqi Navy](/source/Iraqi_Navy) that included the establishment of a Ship Repair Facility in [Umm Qasr, Iraq](/source/Umm_Qasr).[16][17][18][19]

### Yards

In 2020, Swiftships operates three yards in the US and one co-production yard (JV) with the [Egyptian Navy](/source/Egyptian_Navy) in [Alexandria](/source/Alexandria), Egypt:

- [Morgan City, Louisiana](/source/Morgan_City%2C_Louisiana)[3]

- [New Iberia, Jeanerette](/source/New_Iberia%2C_Louisiana),[20][21] Louisiana

- [Freeport, Texas](/source/Freeport%2C_Texas)[8]

- Egyptian Shipyard Repair Building Co. - partnership with the Egyptian Navy to co-produce Swift vessels in Egypt under an approved MLA by the United States government.[22]

## Products

Ship types include:

- [Fast Patrol Vessels](/source/Patrol_boat)**:** company supplied vessels to Iraq ([Swiftships Model 35PB1208 E-1455](/source/Swiftships_Model_35PB1208_E-1455)), Bahrain,[23] US governments and other.[24]

- [Landing Craft:](/source/Landing_craft) company has long-term agreement with a US government to build up to 32 new series LCU 1700 Class.[25][26][27][28]

- [Corvettes](/source/Corvette): Swiftships started a program with the [Pakistan Navy](/source/Pakistan_Navy) to build multi-purpose naval platforms, 75 meter corvette, for security and high threat missions.[29][30]

- [Fast Supply Vessels](/source/Platform_supply_vessel): to Rodi Marine and other commercial groups.[3]

- [Unmanned Surface Vessels- Anaconda](/source/Unmanned_surface_vehicle) (AN-2)[11][12]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_1-2) ["BOSS Magazine | Swiftships: The Sea's Best Aluminum Water Vessel"](https://thebossmagazine.com/swiftships-water-vessel-2/). *BOSS Magazine*. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_2-1) ["Swiftly Going Places Where Others Fear"](https://swiftships.com/swiftly-going-places-where-others-fear/). *Swiftships*. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_3-3) ["Swiftships"](http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/small/swiftships.htm). *shipbuildinghistory.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Yachts .com Swiftship Yachts"](http://www.yachts.com/builders%5Cmotor-yachts/Swiftship-Yachts.html). *www.yachts.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Network, Warfare History (10 June 2019). ["Swift Boats: How America Used These Tiny Warships to Wage War In Vietnam"](https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/swift-boats-how-america-used-these-tiny-warships-wage-war-vietnam-61972). *The National Interest*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Swiftships back in commercial market"](https://www.workboat.com/blogs/the-hocke-net/swiftships-back-in-commercial-market/). *WorkBoat*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Back to Business"](https://www.workboat.com/archived-workboat-magazine/back-to-business/). *WorkBoat*. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_8-1) ["Swiftships Completing 20-Acre Repair Yard In Freeport, Texas"](https://magazines.marinelink.com/Magazines/MaritimeReporter/198108/content/swiftships-completing-freeport-205163). *magazines.marinelink.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Entregan dos guardacostas a la flota naval dominicana - Diario Dominicano"](http://www.diariodominicano.com/dominicana-hoy/2007/01/10/8687/entregan-dos-guardacostas-a-la-flota-naval-dominicana). *www.diariodominicano.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Swiftships, UL Lafayette develop unmanned boat for military"](https://louisiana.edu/news-events/news/20131021/swiftships-ul-lafayette-develop-unmanned-boat-military). *University of Louisiana at Lafayette*. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_11-1) ["AN-2 Anaconda"](http://www.navaldrones.com/AN-2_ANACONDA.html). *www.navaldrones.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_12-1) ["Robotic Marine Vehicles: Meet the Anaconda-2"](https://magazines.marinelink.com/Magazines/MarineTechnology/201404/content/robotic-vehicles-anaconda2-467540). *magazines.marinelink.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Filing Alert: Swiftships Chapter 11"](https://bondoro.com/swiftships-filing-alert/). *Bondoro*. 18 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Egyptian Navy to get four more vessels from Swiftships"](https://www.defenceweb.co.za/sea/sea-sea/egyptian-navy-to-get-four-more-vessels-from-swiftships/). *defenceWeb*. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Swiftships Strengthening Its Global Presence"](https://www.monch.com/mpg/news/maritime/2206-swiftships-strengthening-its-global-presence.html). *www.monch.com*. Retrieved 5 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Swiftships gets $14.5 million more for Iraq Navy support"](https://www.marinelog.com/shipyards/shipyard-news/swiftships-gets-145-million-more-for-iraq-navy-support/). *Marine Log*. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Swiftships Orders Build Iraqi Navys Coastal Patrol Capabilities"](http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/swiftships-shipbuilders-gets-181m-for-iraqi-navy-patrol-boats-05812/). *Defense Industry Daily*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Swiftship cleared for $150m Iraqi Navy support contract"](https://navaltoday.com/2017/08/02/swiftship-cleared-for-150m-iraqi-navy-support-contract/). *Naval Today*. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["US Approves $150m for Iraqi Navy Vessels and Ship Repair"](https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2017/08/03/us-approves-150m-for-iraqi-navy-vessels-and-ship-repair/). *Iraq Business News*. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** IBERIAN, DWAYNE FATHERREE | THE DAILY. ["Breaux adapting to changing boat market"](https://www.iberianet.com/news/breaux-adapting-to-changing-boat-market/article_57c54f96-3401-11e9-909f-cf16b0a2e4c7.html). *The Daily Iberian*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Swiftships"](http://www.interlinkdc.com/3/post/2010/09/swiftships.html). *Interlink Capital Strategies*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Currently we building of 6 fast patrol aluminium"](https://esrbc.net/currently-we-building-of-6-fast-patrol-aluminium/). *Egyptian Ship Repair&Building Co*. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Bahrain buys two American boats built Swiftships"](https://weaponews.com/news/14847-bahrain-buys-two-american-boats-built-swiftships.html). *weaponews.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["BIDEC 2019: Swift Ships showcases fast patrol vessel and coastal patrol boat"](https://www.armyrecognition.com/bidec_2019_news_official_online_show_daily_bahrain_defense_exhibition/bidec_2019_swift_ships_showcases_fast_patrol_vessel_and_coastal_patrol_boat.html). *www.armyrecognition.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Contracts for February 4, 2019"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210803180943/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1747970/). *U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE*. Archived from [the original](https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1747970//) on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["NAVSEA Picks Swiftships LLC to Design, Build LCU Replacement in $18M Contract Award"](https://news.usni.org/2018/04/04/navsea-awards-18m-lcu-1700-contract-louisiana-based-swiftships-llc). *USNI News*. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Landing Craft Utility (LCU) - Defense Daily"](https://www.defensedaily.com/topic/landing-craft-utility-lcu/). *Defense Daily*. Retrieved 26 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Burgess, Richard R. (3 April 2020). ["Navy Orders Four New LCU 1700 Utility Landing Craft from Swiftships"](https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-orders-four-new-lcu-1700-utility-landing-craft-from-swiftships/). *Seapower*. Retrieved 26 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Pakistan orders two corvettes from US-based Swiftships"](https://quwa.org/2017/10/31/pakistan-orders-two-corvettes-us-based-swiftships/). *Quwa*. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Pakistan Navy buying vessels for special operations from US company"](https://www.dawn.com/news/1367859). *DAWN.COM*. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

v t e PTF boat Surviving boats PTF-3 PTF-17 PTF-19 PTF-23 PTF-26 Units Boat Support Unit ONE (BSU-1) US Navy Seals Mobile Riverine Force Naval Amphibious Base Coronado US Marines CIA Builders Båtbyggeri (14) John Trumpy & Sons (7) Sewart Seacraft (4) Bath Iron Works (1) Classes PTF prototype Nasty class Osprey class Notable missions Vietnam War: Gulf of Tonkin incident Operation 34A Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen CIA activities in Vietnam Similar Patrol Craft Fast Tjeld-class patrol boat Storm-class patrol boat HNoMS Nasty Jaguar-class fast attack craft Chilean torpedo boat Quidora Media Vikings in Vietnam 2024 book Out Over Blue Water 2022 book Men in Green Faces 1992 book Museum - Restoration DeLand Naval Air Station Museum (PTF-3) Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park (PTF-17) Worton Creek Marina (PTF-19) Maritime Pastoral Training Foundation (PTF-26) Related 20-millimeter (0.79 in) cannon 81 mm mortar M2 Browning Bofors 40 mm gun Napier Deltic Diesel l8C Detroit Diesel 16V71 Osprey class PTF-23 PTF-24 PTF-25 PTF-26 PTF prototype PTF-1 PTF-2 Article Category Preceded by PT boat - Followed by Patrol Craft Fast and US patrol vessels

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Swiftships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiftships) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiftships?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.