(PHILADELPHIA) — Hanwha Philly Shipyard on Friday launched Lone Star State, the fourth of five national security multi-mission vessels (NSMVs) ordered by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd). The 524-foot training ship will be operated by Texas A&M Maritime Academy and is slated for delivery in late 2025.
The first NSMV, Empire State, was delivered to SUNY Maritime College in New York in 2023. The second, Patriot State, was delivered in September to Massachusetts Maritime Academy. NSMV III, State of Maine, is due for delivery early this year to Maine Maritime Academy, with the fifth vessel in the class, Golden Bear, scheduled to be completed in 2026 for California Maritime Academy.
About the NSMV program
The NSMV program is designed to provide a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training platform for mariners. This next-generation fleet will address a critical shortage of qualified officers necessary to crew government and commercially owned sealift ships. In addition to providing world-class training for America’s future mariners, the NSMVs will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.

The NSMV will feature numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and have space for up to 600 cadets to train in a first-rate maritime academic environment at sea. State maritime academies graduate more than half of all new officers each year – the merchant mariners who help keep cargoes and the economy moving. Many also support U.S. national security by crewing government sealift vessels.
In addition to being a state-of-the-art training and educational platform, each ship will feature modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad, and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Adding to the NSMV’s capability, it will provide needed roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief missions.
Vessel specifications
• Length: 524.4 feet
• Breadth: 88.5 feet
• Draft, scantling: 24.6 feet
• Total berthing: 760 people
• Speed: 18 knots
• Deadweight: 8,487 MT