<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-08-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000098537</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TODD SHIPYARDS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TOD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000905516</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HODGSON PATRICK W E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Todd Shipyards Corp. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-08-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>750</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>22.12</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>78650</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Fair market value on date of election.  Shares will vest ratably over the next 36 months and are subject to forfeiture to the Company prior to vesting under certain circumstances.  Granted as restricted shares under Todd's 2003 Incentive Stock Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patrick W.E. Hodgson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-08-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2007-08-22
0
0000098537
TODD SHIPYARDS CORP
TOD
0000905516
HODGSON PATRICK W E
1
0
0
0
Todd Shipyards Corp. Common Stock
2007-08-22
4
A
0
750
22.12
A
78650
D
Fair market value on date of election.  Shares will vest ratably over the next 36 months and are subject to forfeiture to the Company prior to vesting under certain circumstances.  Granted as restricted shares under Todd's 2003 Incentive Stock Plan.
Patrick W.E. Hodgson
2007-08-23