(WASHINGTON) — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday announced that the Maritime Administration (MarAd) has awarded $8.75 million in grants to revitalize U.S. shipyards and advance America’s maritime dominance. The funding is part of the Small Shipyard Grant program, which supports advanced training, workforce development, and new technologies that strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and repair capabilities.
“Unleashing the full power of America’s shipyards will boost our economic strength and national security,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Sang Yi. “The Small Shipyard Grant program is revitalizing America’s maritime industry by investing in businesses that spur innovation, improve productivity, and fuel job creation in communities around the country.”
Since its inception in 2008, the Small Shipyard Grant program has awarded 382 grants totaling $320.5 million to qualified small shipyard facilities. Seventeen recipients in 12 states were awarded funds as part of this announcement.
America’s small shipyards are a strategic asset and are critical to national security and economic vitality. Employing more than 100,000 Americans, these shipyards are fundamental engines of local job growth and have unique capabilities, from custom vessel development to specialized repair services. Through President Trump’s executive order on restoring America’s maritime dominance, shipyards are positioned to enhance defense, grow manufacturing, and expand innovation and the maritime workforce.
Below is a complete list of shipyard grant recipients in fiscal year 2025:
Alabama
Master Boat Builders of Bayou La Batre will receive $427,596 to support the procurement and integration of training equipment and technologies.
Alaska
Resolve Marine Inc. of Dutch Harbor will receive $447,341 to support the purchase of a Caterpillar 980 wheel loader.
California
Marine Group Boat Works of Chula Vista will receive $248,402 to support the purchase of a Flow Mach 500 waterjet metal cutting table.
Bay Ship & Yacht Co. of Alameda will receive $388,777 to support the purchase of a CNC plasma arc and gas cutting equipment.
Florida
Eastern Shipbuilding Group of Panama City will receive $93,537 to support the purchase of a 10-foot plate shear.
St. Johns Ship Building of Palatka will receive $617,040 to support the purchase of a Grove GRT8100 110-ton rough terrain crane.
Kentucky
JamesBuilt of Calvert City will receive $599,130 to support the purchase of a 65-ton rough terrain crane.
Louisiana
Breaux’s Bay Craft of New Iberia will receive $817,150 to support the purchase of a 200-ton Marine Travelift.
PAR61 Marine Repair of Port Allen will receive $723,242 to support Travelift infrastructure improvements, three new power distribution panels, a telehandler, and a crane apron.
Maryland
Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury will receive $817,150 to support the purchase of a 160-ton rough terrain mobile crane.
Pennsylvania
Heartland Fabrication of Brownsville will receive $588,092 to support the purchase of a Koike Aronson PlatePro XHD Model 3700 plasma cutting machine.
Rhode Island
J. Goodison Co. of North Kingston will receive $274,596 to support the purchase of welding equipment and a press brake.
Texas
Conrad Orange Shipyard of Orange will receive $418,200 to support the purchase of a CNC plasma cutting system.
Washington
Ice Floe LLC, dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, will receive $357,317 to support the purchase of a CNC router table, CNC laser table, dust collector, dehumidifier, and 15 multi-process welders with wire feeds.
Snow & Company of Seattle will receive $817,150 to support the purchase of a CNC press brake with segmented dies and deburring machine.
Lake Union Drydock Co. of Seattle will receive $298,131 to support the purchase of a 9-ton mobile crane, four pack of weld machines, plate cutter, and dry-dock LED lighting.
Wisconsin
Fraser Shipyards of Superior will receive $817,146 to support the purchase of Link Belt 130-ton telescopic boom rough terrain crane.
– U.S. Maritime Administration
