Avondale Shipyard

History & Asbestos Use

Avondale Shipyard was established in 1938 and grew into one of the largest shipbuilding facilities in the United States, stretching along the Mississippi River near New Orleans. The yard built Navy amphibious assault ships, destroyer escorts, and commercial tankers and cargo vessels. At its peak, Avondale employed over 25,000 workers. Asbestos was used in every class of vessel built at the yard. The facility was acquired by Huntington Ingalls Industries and closed in 2014.

Exposure Details

Workers at Avondale Shipyard installed asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing in ships during construction. The yard's Louisiana location meant workers endured extreme heat and humidity in ship interiors, making it difficult to use respiratory protection. Insulators and pipe fitters handled raw asbestos materials daily, and the large scale of production meant that hundreds of workers were simultaneously exposed in adjacent work areas.

Workers at Risk

The following job categories at Avondale Shipyard had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:

• Shipyard workers
• Insulators
• Pipe fitters
• Welders
• Boilermakers

Health Effects

Avondale Shipyard is one of the most heavily litigated asbestos exposure sites in the United States. Thousands of former workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The high rates of asbestos disease among Avondale workers have been documented in numerous court proceedings and epidemiological studies.

Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.

Related Asbestos Trust Funds

Workers exposed to asbestos at Avondale Shipyard may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:

• Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust
• Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust

Related Exposure Sites

Treatment Centers in Louisiana

If you were exposed to asbestos at Avondale Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Louisiana may be able to help.

Ochsner Cancer Institute

New Orleans, LA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources:

• OSHA compliance records — accessed 2026-03-09
• Louisiana DEQ records — accessed 2026-03-09
• Court records from asbestos litigation — accessed 2026-03-09