# Liberty hull modules under assembly at Conrad; Blue Water targets its first ship by late 2026

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/liberty-hull-modules-under-assembly-at-conrad-blue-water-targets-its-0caeef94
Date: Aug 2026
About: [Blue Water Autonomy](https://technooptimist.io/companies/blue-water-autonomy.md) · [Liberty-class autonomous ship](https://technooptimist.io/manufacturing/liberty-class.md)
Original source: https://www.maritimemagazines.com/marine-news/202608/blue-water-autonomy/

Construction of the first Liberty-class ship began at Conrad in March 2026, and several hull modules were being assembled at the time of the interview. Co-founder Austin Gray said the ship is built to run 60 to 90 days with no crew intervention.

## Key facts

- Engines in 20-ft containers form a redundant microgrid.
- The aft deck holds four 40-ft containers of payload.
- Missed the first seven Navy medium uncrewed ship selections; won a place on a $40M-ceiling seafloor-mapping IDIQ.
- About 60 full-time staff.

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