Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $8.75 million in grant awards to 15 small shipyards in 12 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds aim to help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.
“Small shipyards are integral to the strength of America’s supply chains and the maritime industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With the grants announced today, The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering funding that will create jobs in cities and towns across the country, strengthen our commercial fleet, and add power to our national economy.”
The shipbuilding industry enhances the United States’ national and economic security by generating direct output and employment. Companies in this sector also purchase inputs from other domestic industries, contributing to economic activity in those sectors. Across the United States, shipbuilding directly provides over 100,000 jobs and over $40 billion in GDP. Since 2008, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded $311.7 million in 365 grants to nearly 200 shipyards across 33 states and territories.
“Continued investment in our small shipyards enables them to acquire the cutting-edge technologies needed to remain competitive elements of America’s maritime industry,” remarked Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “These grants stimulate economic development by boosting opportunities for good jobs in the communities where shipyards are located.”
Below is a complete list of shipyard grant recipients for Fiscal Year 2024:
**Alabama**
- Birdon America Inc., Alabama Shipyard LLC., Bayou La Batre: $997,065 for an automated welding system.
**Florida**
- Gulf Marine Repair, Tampa: $997,678 for Dry-Dock Strengthening Project of A.W. HENDRY drydock.
**Hawaii**
- MARISCO Ltd., Honolulu: $584,563 for an electric air compressor and plasma cutter.
**Kentucky**
- James Marine Inc., Paducah: $460,500 for a 40-ton rough terrain crane.
**Louisiana**
- C&C Marine and Repair LLC., Belle Chasse: $514,263 for a Messer CNC Plasma Cutting Table.
- Cooper Consolidated LLC., Convent-Mile 164 Shipyard: $368,440 for various equipment including a Bobcat track loader and welding machines.
**Maryland**
- The General Ship Repair Corporation, Baltimore: $364,311 for blast and paint shelter equipment.
**Mississippi**
- Gulfship Apprenticeship LLC., Gulfport: $4,547 for a CNC machine.
**Oregon**
- WCT Marine & Construction Inc., Astoria: $874,297 for a hydraulic self-propelled vessel transporter.
**Pennsylvania**
- Philly Shipyard Inc., Philadelphia: $800,000 for their apprentice program.
- Rhoads Industries Inc., Philadelphia: $552,846 for expanding their welding training program with modern mechanized systems.
**Rhode Island**
- Safe Harbor Marine Newport Shipyard LLC.: Newport; repairs vessels from governmental to commercial clients; receives $647,567 for a hydraulic self-propelled vessel transporter.
**Texas**
- Lighthouse Marine LLC., Port Bolivar: set to receive $646,157 for various equipment upgrades including JLG Hybrid Telescopic Boom Lift and painting equipment upgrades.
**Washington**
- Inventech Marine Solutions LLC., Bremerton: receives $378,079 for an electric clean paint booth with additional cranes.
- Motive Power Marine Tacoma receives support worth $559687for site electrical upgrades electric air compressorand telehandler
