(WASHINGTON) — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday announced that the Maritime Administration (MarAd) is delivering $35.1 million to invest in critical infrastructure and workforce development at 45 shipyards across 24 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Projects examples include:
• $1,007,678 to Gulf Marine Repair Corp. in Tampa, Fla., for training center equipment, wheel loaders and upgrades to three berths in its south slip.
• $1,000,000 to Robert E. Derecktor Inc. in Mamaroneck, N.Y., for an offshore marine crane.
• $991,565 to Carlisle & Bray Hebron Shipyard in Hebron, Ky., for a floating dry dock.
• $387,745 to Signet Maritime Corp. in Pascagoula, Miss., for equipment including a plasma cutting table, welding tractors, a crane, and a vertical tilt-frame bandsaw.
• $321,474.38 to Safe Boats International in Bremerton, Wash., for 17 welding machines to be used in its aluminum welding/fabrication training program.
“Small shipyards across America were once the backbone of our nation’s maritime industry. President Trump is reviving this critical sector so America can finally rekindle its proud history of building the vessels that keep America’s economy moving. The 300 percent increase in this program will fund cutting-edge equipment, major facility upgrades, and new training programs for the next generation of maritime workers,” Duffy said.
“America’s small shipyards drive our maritime economy and strengthen our national readiness,” said MarAd Administrator Stephen Carmel. “Across the nation, shipyard workers bring the skill, innovation, and technical expertise that build, repair, and launch the vessels America depends on. These investments support the Maritime Action Plan and will strengthen America’s maritime future for years to come.”
– U.S. Maritime Administration
