U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) recently celebrated the christening of the State of Maine, the third of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV), at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The vessel will serve the Maine Maritime Academy and will be used for training cadets.
“Maine Maritime Academy is internationally recognized as a leader in maritime education and this vessel represents a major step forward in our mission to train the world’s finest mariners,” Craig Johnson, Maine Maritime Academy president, said. “As our first purpose-built training ship, the State of Maine will provide world-class learning experiences for cadets pursuing unlimited tonnage licenses. It’s a game-changer for our mission and a powerful reflection of what’s possible through strong partnerships and shared vision.”
The NSMV program is updating the United States’ maritime training infrastructure and supports nearly 1,500 skilled jobs in Philadelphia.
MARAD is replacing aging National Defense Reserve Fleet training vessels with purpose-built ships designed to meet modern academy needs. The ship also will be used to provide disaster and national emergencies response.
NSMV vessels are 525 feet long and can travel at a speed of 18 knots. They can accommodate 600 cadets. The vessels include eight classrooms, medical facilities, a training bridge, labs, an auditorium, a helicopter pad, and roll-on/roll-off and container capacity.