On April 15, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $14.7m in grant awards to help improve 17 small shipyards in 16 states. The funds will help these shipyards become more competitive by purchasing modern equipment and training workers.
“These grants will help modernize small shipyards and strengthen our economy by making sure we maintain the ability to build and repair ships in the United States,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
“Small shipyards are an important part of our nation’s shipbuilding industry,” said David Matsuda, Acting Maritime Administrator. “Shipyards on both coasts, the Great Lakes and our inland waterways will be able to increase productivity and be more competitive as a result of these grants.”
The grants, which are part of the Assistance to Small Shipyards program, will go to shipyards around the country that provide essential services to commercial and government ships. MARAD received over 160 grant applications requesting $180 million in assistance. The grants support a vital segment of the America’s maritime economy and promote long-term job creation and retention opportunities.
The following shipyards will receive grants for equipments:
• Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, LLC (Boothbay Harbor, ME) - $360,900 for new wider cradle for 750 ton marine railway
• C&G Boat Works, Inc. (Mobile, AL)- $1,199,122 for new 220 ton crawler crane
• Caddell Dry Dock & Repair Company, Inc. (Staten Island, NY)- $1,162,636 to refurbish drydock
• Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corporation (Salisbury, MD)- $519,098 for improvements to doors, heaters and air and gas distribution systems
• Detyens Shipyards, Inc. (Charleston, SC)- $922,393 for new tower crane, hydro-blast units and overhead shop cranes
• Diversified Marine Tech, Inc. (Tampa, FL)- $644,425 for 90-ton crane and modification of barge for crane use
• Earl Industries, LLC (Portsmouth, VA)- $923,496 for laser cutter and two 5-ton bridge cranes
• Fraser Shipyards, Inc. (Superior, WI)- $257,990 for cutting machine and welding equipment
• Gulf Craft, LLC (Patterson, LA)- $1,760,065 for 500-ton travelift crane
• JB Marine Services, Inc. (St. Louis, MO)- $195,000 for bridge crane, ironworker, steel shear, and forklift
• Marisco, Ltd. (Kapolei, HI)- $1,079,224 for cranes, forklifts, welding machines, compressors and dust collector
• Puglia Engineering, Inc. (Bellingham, WA)- $1,333,267 for floating drydock enhancements, 80-ton rough terrain crane and coating equipment
• Sause Bros., Inc. dba Southern Oregon Marine, Inc. (Coos Bay, OR)- $173,749 for water blast system, sandblasting machine and big top shelter
• Southwest Shipyard L.P. (Channelview, TX)- $1,602,870 for panel line
• The Thames Shipyard & Repair Company, Inc. (New London, CT)- $1,446,000 to widen and lengthen drydock
• United States Marine, Inc. (Gulfport, MS)- $476,670 for epoxy oven, composite freezer and CNC material cutter
The following will receive grants for training programs:
• Pacific Fishermen Shipyard and Electric LLC (Seattle, WA)- $643,095 for worker training program, sand blast paint and booths, sand blast grit recovery systems, man lifts and 15-ton crane
