Nearly $20 million in discretionary grants is headed to small shipyards for modernization efforts, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) said Monday.
Part of the DOT’s discretionary fund, the Small Shipyard Grant Program will provide grants to 24 U.S. shipyards for upgrades to make them more efficient when building commercial vessels.
“This $19.6 million federal government investment in the nation’s small shipyards will help maintain the U. S. shipyard infrastructure of our country,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
The funding will help the shipyards modernize their operations, improve efficiencies, and increase productivity, the agency said. Projects include capital and other improvements projects that focus on efficiency, competitive operations and ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration. Funds can also be used on training projects that improve employee skills.
“Small shipyard grants play a significant role in supporting local communities by creating jobs for working families,” said Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby. “These shipyards are a tangible investment in our nation’s maritime infrastructure and the future of our maritime workforce.”
Shipyards employee nearly 400,000 people and add $37.3 billion to the gross domestic product. Investing in small shipyards will allow them to compete effectively in the global marketplace, as well as create more jobs, MARAD said.
Among the project awards were two shipyards in Mobile, Ala., – Alabama Shipyard, LLC, and Blakely Boatworks, Inc. They will receive a combined $951,295 for upgrades to their facilities, including new cranes and other equipment. Other projects include $1.6 million for a 1,250-ton press brake for VT Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Miss.; and $745,872 for Marisco, Ltd. In Kapolei, Hawaii, for a blast and paint booth.