The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers joined contractors Eastern Shipbuilding Group and Royal IHC on April 4, 2025, in Panama City, FL for a steel cutting ceremony, kicking off construction of a Medium Class Hopper Dredge to replace the Dredge McFARLAND of the Army Corps’ Philadelphia District. The new dredge will then be floated in early 2027 to Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s shipyard in Port St. Joe, Fla., for final outfitting, testing, and sea trials.