The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration awarded $9.8 million to 18 U.S. small shipyards through its Small Shipyard Grant Program, Marad announced today. The grants support industrial modernizations that will increase productivity and allow the U.S. small shipyards to compete more effectively in the global marketplace.
“Small shipyards play a significant role in our country’s maritime sector, which contributes to our economy, security, and infrastructure,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a statement. “In addition, these grants will support local communities by creating jobs for working families.”
Small shipyard facilities vary in size, from family-owned businesses employing a few dozen workers, to multifaceted establishments with hundreds of employees. The grants, which were primarily available to U.S. shipyards with less than 600 production employees, are generally less than $1 million each but can make a huge difference in a shipyard’s bottom line.
“U.S. shipyards produce some of the world’s best-built vessels,” said Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby. “These grants will fund the kinds of upgrades and modernization that ensure America’s shipbuilding industry remains strong and competitive internationally.”
Marad awarded grants to 18 small shipyards this year. Ken Hocke photo
Since 2008, Marad’s Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded $174 million to 169 small shipyards, helping them to modernize operations, improve efficiency and boost productivity with employee training and new technologies. Including direct, indirect, and induced impacts, total economic activity associated with U.S. shipyards is nearly 400,000 jobs, $25.1 billion of labor income, and $37.3 billion in GDP.
A complete list of shipyard grant recipients:
- Vigor Alaska LLC., Ketchikan, Alaska, was awarded $533,014 to help purchase of a robotic pressure washer, milling machine, shear, VFD air compressor, air pallet load module, lathe, scaffolding and stair towers, electric capstans, and pneumatic fenders.
- Bay Maritime Corp., Alameda, Calif., was awarded $509,718 to help purchase a CNC bed mill and a CNC bridge mill.
- Thames Shipyard & Repair Co. Inc., New London, Conn., was awarded $191,762 to help purchase and install confined space surface preparation equipment.
- Jeffboat LLC, Jeffersonville, Ind., was awarded $479,150 for the purchase of an 80-ton Grove mobile crane.
- National Maintenance and Repair of Kentucky Inc., Paducah, Ky. was awarded $377,433 to support the purchase of a Vantage oil country lathe.
- Gulf Island Shipyards Inc., Houma La., was awarded $757,168 to support the purchase of a laser CNC cutting machine and a CNC pipe bending machine.
- A&Z Marine Inc., Port Allen, La., was awarded $900,000 to support the purchase a 440-ton Marine Travelift.
- Boston Ship Repair LLC, Boston, was awarded $576,000 to support necessary electrical upgrades.
- The General Ship Repair Corp., Baltimore, was awarded $388,903 to support the purchase of a drydock wash water removal and processing system.
- Portland Shipyard, Portland, Maine, was awarded $990,500 to support the purchase of a 330-ton Marine Travelift.
- The Great Lakes Towing Co. was awarded $570,065 for capital investment in equipment, tooling and software to improve shipyard efficiency and competitiveness.
- Philly Shipyard Inc., Philadelphia, was awarded $346,544 for modernization and upgrades to a welding system.
- Blount Boats Inc., Warren, R.I., was awarded $508,927 for metal working equipment, painting enhancements and to purchase a 25-ton marine transporter.
- J. Goodison Co. Inc., North Kingston, R.I., was awarded $635,453 to support the purchase of a wash water collection and treatment system.
- Detyens Shipyard Inc., North Charleston, S.C., was awarded $466,985 for a climate-controlled down draft paint booth and steel fabrication equipment.
- Bludworth Marine LLC, Houston, was awarded $900,000 to build a 3,000-ton floating drydock.
- Colonna’s Shipyard Inc., Norfolk, Va., was awarded $387,500 to support the purchase of a Link-Belt 110-ton rough terrain crane.
- Dakota Creek Industries Inc., Anacortes, Wash., was awarded $280,878 to support the purchase of a steel frame bending and straightening machine as well as a CNC router table.
