Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Philadelphia, celebrated a historic milestone with the christening of the 525’1”x88’7”x21’4” National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) — State of Maine.
The NSMV shipbuilding program is the U.S.'s first to use the vessel construction manager (VCM) model. This approach places responsibility for selecting and overseeing the shipyard with a government contractor, who applies commercial best practices to manage the project.
In 2019, Marad awarded TOTE Services a contract to serve as the VCM for the NSMV program. In 2020, Philly Shipyard was contracted to build the first two vessels. The next two vessels were ordered in 2021, with the fifth and final vessel following in 2022.
The christening ceremony brought together leaders from government and industry, including Vice Chairman Dong Kwan Kim of Hanwha, CEO David Kim of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, President Jeff Dixon of TOTE Services, Acting Administrator Sang Yi of the Maritime Administration, and President Craig Johnson of Maine Maritime Academy, where the new NSMV will homeport.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the enduring strength and vital importance of the U.S.–ROK alliance.
Each ship in the series is equipped with diesel electric propulsion with 16,800 kW of total installed power plus a 900-kW emergency generator. Full speed is 18 knots.
Each NSMV is designed to house numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and accommodations for up to 600 cadets to train in a maritime academic environment at sea.
In addition, each vessel features hospital facilities, a helicopter pad and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. The NSMVs can also provide roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief missions.
During the ceremony, Hanwha Group announced a $5 billion infrastructure plan for Hanwha Philly Shipyard as part of South Korea’s commitment to supporting growth of the U.S. shipbuilding industry through a $150 billion investment fund.
Through this expansion, Hanwha aims to increase the Shipyard’s annual production volume from less than two vessels to up to 20. Additionally, Hanwha Shipping ordered 10 medium range (MR) oil and chemical tankers, with the first tanker expected to be delivered by early 2029 and exercised its option to order a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, all of which will be built by Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
The investments are a testament to the significance of the moment, as the State of Maine, now christened, embarks on a new chapter of service, innovation, and partnership, representing the best of American shipbuilding and the enduring spirit of global collaboration, the shipyard said on its Facebook page.
Ship sponsor and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao was escorted by Maine Maritime cadets to the bow of the vessel, where she performed the traditional bottle-breaking ceremony.
