Nearly $20m in funding to strengthen U.S. shipyard competitiveness
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced US$19.6 million in grant awards to 24 small shipyards in 19 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds are designed to help recipients modernise, increase productivity, and expand local employment opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy, and small shipyards play a critical role in America’s maritime industry, helping us get the goods we depend on every day,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These grants will help modernize small shipyards in communities across the country, creating and protecting local jobs, strengthening America’s maritime industry, and securing our economic future.”
Since 2008, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded $282.2 million to nearly 300 shipyards in 32 states and territories throughout the U.S. The grants are said to strengthen communities along or near the ports and waterways, with many of the small shipyards being family-run businesses where a small investment can make a big difference.
“These grants will allow small businesses to do what they do best, which is to build essential infrastructure while creating long-term and well-paying jobs for Americans,” says maritime administrator Ann Phillips. “Better equipment means increased productivity and more ships and watercraft moving through our small shipyards. Growing this industry further supports and strengthens our domestic maritime industry.”
The list of shipyards receiving grants from Fiscal Year 2022 is as follows:
Alabama
Blakely Boatworks of Mobile will receive US$722,460 to support the purchase of major components of metal working equipment consisting of welding machines and a variety of material handling equipment.
Alaska
Catalyst Marine Engineering of Seward will receive US$418,903 to support the purchase of two welding units and one propulsion unit.
California
Bay Marine Boatworks of Richmond will receive US$875,968 to support the purchase of a 100-ton marine travelift and a 60-ton self-propelled vessel transporter.
Florida
International Ship Repair & Marine Service of Tampa will receive US$880,758. These funds will support the purchase of a plasma cutting table, a 36,000-pound forklift, welding equipment and a 20-ton overhead crane.
Patti Marine Enterprises of Pensacola will receive US$1,200,000 to construct a new 800-ton drydock.
Louisiana
Turn Services of New Orleans will receive US$988,742 in funding to add a 60-ton pedestal crane to their shipyard facility.
Massachusetts
Duclos Corporation (trading as Gladding Hearn), Somerset, will receive US$949,899 to support the purchase of a set of hanging shop doors, transporter, and a one-ton overhead crane.
Maryland
Chesapeake Shipbuilding of Salisbury will receive US$1,114,539 to support the purchase of a Plasma Table, 30-ton mobile travelift crane, 250-ton automated tooling computer numerical control (CNC), and a 14-foot CNC press brake.
Michigan
Moran Iron Works of Onaway will receive US$500,561 to support the purchase of a CNC fabricating system.
Mississippi
ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore of Pascagoula will receive US$1,154,670 to support the purchase of an electric “green” blast and paint booth project.
Missouri
Arcosa Marine Products, Caruthersville, is set to receive US$869,951 for panel line improvements and welding equipment.
New Jersey
Dorchester Shipyard of Dorchester will receive US$796,143 to facilitate upgrades to their marine railway used to haul/launch vessels repaired/constructed in its shipyard.
New York
May Ship Repair Contracting Corporation of Staten Island will receive US$436,800 to support the purchase of a CNC) cutting table, three rotating jig positions, and a blasting booth.
Robert E. Derecktor of Mamaroneck will receive US$294,483 to support the purchase of a new CNC flatbed lathe.
Ohio
McGinnis of South Point will receive US$770,250 to support the purchase of a 110-ton crane.
The Great Lakes Towing Company of Cleveland will receive US$781,627 to support the purchase package of tooling and equipment to improve the shipyard operations.
Oregon
Blackfish Solutions (trading as ReconCraft) of Estacada will receive US$638,667 to support the purchase and installation of new overhead 25-ton cranes and rigging to fully maximise this space’s functionality and utility. Additionally, funding will support the acquisition of additional welding equipment.
Shaver Transportation Company of Portland was awarded $649,638 for its new Shipyard Electrification Project to include electrical upgrades, 18-ton pedestal mounted electric crane, and installation of solar energy system.
Rhode Island
Blount Boats of Warren will receive US$937,933 to purchase a telehandler, two 3-ton overhead cranes, a single forklift and four scissor lifts to significantly improve their material handling efficiency.
South Carolina
Detyens Shipyards of North Charleston was awarded US$566,617 to support the purchase of new electric fire pumps to replace its current diesel pumps.
Virginia
Fairlead Boatworks, Newport News, will receive US$900,000 to support the purchase of a new 160-ton rough terrain crane.
Washington
Ice Floe (trading as Nichols Brothers Boat Builders) of Freeland has been awarded US$1,234,408 to support the purchase and installation of a one-sided welder to include a material handling conveyor system, transitional magnetic bed.
SAFE Boats International located in Bremerton will receive US$716,983 to support the modernisation of its facility acquiring an 80-ton self-propelled vessel transporter, new aluminium welding equipment, and mobile lifting equipment to include an extended reach forklift, scissor lift and large forklift.
Wisconsin
Fincantieri Marine Group (Bay Shipbuilding of Sturgeon Bay) will receive US$1,200,000 to support the modernisation of its graving dock pumps.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transport Administration.
