TOTE Services hosted more than 30 shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, marine suppliers and defense contractors Aug. 7 as it began assembling a nationwide supply chain for the U.S. Navy’s medium landing ship (LSM) program.
The Washington industry day brought together companies from more than a dozen states to discuss the program’s schedule, technical specifications, vessel design standards, bidding requirements and subcontracting opportunities.
TOTE Services received a $2.2 billion vessel construction management contract in July covering the construction of up to eight LSMs. The vessels are part of the Navy and Marine Corps’ planned 35-ship fleet.
Under the vessel construction management model, TOTE will provide a single management structure connecting Navy requirements with work performed by multiple shipyards and suppliers. The company said the approach is intended to maintain a standardized vessel configuration while improving cost and schedule oversight.
“Delivering the Medium Landing Ship program for the Navy and Marine Corps relies on a resilient, high-performing industrial base,” Jeff Dixon, president of TOTE Services, said. “Under the Vessel Construction Management model, our suppliers are not just vendors — they are critical execution partners.”
The LSM program is expected to use multiship procurement and construction across multiple yards. TOTE said lifecycle logistics will be incorporated before the vessels are delivered.
“The LSM contract serves as an opportunity to grow America’s domestic shipbuilding supply chain,” said Chris Clark, vice president of new construction at TOTE Services. “We’re not just building ships, we’re building a pipeline of demand that American manufacturers can plan around for years to come.”
Shipbuilders participating in the event included Bollinger Shipyards, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Hanwha Philly Shipyard International and Kiewit Offshore. Naval architecture and defense companies included Leidos Gibbs & Cox, PAE Maritime, Hanwha Defense USA, L3Harris and the American Bureau of Shipping.
Equipment and systems suppliers included Alfa Laval, Appleton Marine, Caterpillar Defense, Fairbanks Morse Defense, Karl Senner, MacGregor, Palfinger, Schottel, Thompson Marine CAT and Thrustmaster, among others.
