MARAD Awards $20.8 Million in Small Shipyard Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced $20.8 million in grant awards to 27 small shipyards across 20 states in the United States.

The Small Shipyard Grant Program aims to provide financial assistance to shipyards, enabling them to modernize, increase productivity and expand job opportunities, ultimately helping them compete globally.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the department was proud to support the shipyards to help reinforce their vital role in the U.S. maritime sector. “Small shipyards strengthen America’s commercial fleet, bolster our economic security, and generate good jobs,” he said.

Small shipyards maintain America’s commercial fleet, bolster supply chains, and strengthen our economy.

Here are some investments we're making that will generate good-paying local jobs and help our maritime industry thrive. https://t.co/NCmYOtu1Hn

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) May 3, 2023

The Small Shipyard Grant Program was established in 2008, and since then, has provided $303 million in grants to almost 350 shipyards in 32 states and territories throughout the U.S. The program aims to help shipyards acquire equipment necessary to thrive in the industry and contribute to the country’s maritime industry’s expansion.

The Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips believes that these grants help America’s shipyards stay competitive, and the economic benefits from the program also extend to the communities in which these shipyards are located, as well as to the industrial supply chain.

“As shipbuilding technologies continue to advance, Small Shipyard Grants help America’s shipyards acquire the equipment they need to compete, thrive and expand America’s maritime industry,” said Phillips.

The program’s grants aim to bolster the maritime industry in the U.S., ultimately creating a ripple effect of economic growth and development. By supporting these small shipyards, the government hopes to see more job opportunities and increased productivity, which can lead to a boost in the country’s economic security.

Shipyard Grant Recipients for Fiscal Year 2023:  

ALABAMA 

Alabama Shipyard, LLC., of Mobile, AL will receive $718,442 to support the purchase of air compressor systems and fire suppression pumps.? 

ALASKA 

Highmark Marine Fabrication, LLC of Kodiak, AK, will receive $969,191 to support the purchase of a 120-ton rough terrain crane. 

CALIFORNIA 

Bay Ship & Yacht Co. of Alameda, CA, will receive $830,380 to support the purchase of a 165-ton Grove GRT 9165 crane with a 205-foot boom. 

Driscoll, Inc. dba Driscoll Boat Works, LLC of San Diego, CA will receive $1,000,000 to purchase a 150-ton marine travelift.  

Marine Group Boat Works, LLC of Chula Vista, CA, will receive $1,142,447 to support the purchase of an 820-ton variable width marine travelift. 

CONNECTICUT 

Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. of Mystic, CT, will receive $214,452 to support the purchase of a wood-mizer wide slab industrial sawmill, and two HYBRID articulating boom lifts.  

The Thames Shipyard & Repair Company, Inc. of New London, CT, will receive $309,853 to purchase water-jet surface preparation equipment. 

FLORIDA 

Fincantieri Marine Repair, LLC., of Jacksonville, FL, will receive $874,079 to support the purchase of a water blast and wastewater collection and treatment system.  

Norseman Shipbuilding and Boatyard, LLC., of Miami, FL, will receive $939,274 to purchase a 150-ton marine travelift. 

ILLINOIS 

Mike’s, Inc., of South Roxana, IL on the upper Mississippi River, will receive $653,422 to support the purchase of a 30-ton rough terrain crane, telehandler, rack welder, and tig stick arc reach.  

INDIANA 

ACBL Transportation Services, Inc., of Jeffersonville, IN, will receive $1,000,000 to support the purchase of a 200×70 floating drydock for vessel repair, barge fleeting and cleaning operations.  

IOWA 

Sunflower Enterprises, Inc., of Dubuque, IA, will receive $599,840 to support the purchase of a 100-ton marine travelift. 

LOUISIANA 

Verret Shipyard, Inc.,?of Plaquemine, LA, will receive $1,000,000 to purchase a 120×64 floating drydock. 

MAINE 

The Portland Company, of Portland, ME, will receive $739,302 to support the purchase of a 60-ton vessel trailer, tractor/loader and support for an indoor ventilation project.?? 

MISSISSIPPI 

United States Marine, Inc., of Gulfport, MS will receive $238,741 to support the purchase of two Eastman CNC tables.  

NEW JERSEY 

Bayonne Drydock & Repair Corp., of Bayonne, NJ, will receive $730,477 to purchase ultra high pressure hydro blasting equipment and telehandlers.  

NEW YORK 

Hughes Bros.,?of Brooklyn, NY, will receive $1,000,000 in funding to purchase a 160×86 floating drydock. 

NORTH CAROLINA 

 North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division of Havelock, NC, will receive $86,649 to train and certify employees in three required disciplines to enhance productivity in vessel repairs. 

OHIO 

Superior Marine Ways, Inc., of South Point, OH, located on the Ohio River, will receive $838,221 to support the purchase of a CNC brake and plasma table. 

PENNSYLVANIA 

Heartland Fabrication, LLC., of?Brownsville, PA, will receive $660,783 to support the purchase and installation of new overhead 25-ton electric bridge cranes and rigging.  

RHODE ISLAND? 

J Goodison Company, of North Kingstown, RI, will?receive $704,206 to purchase a 176-ton hydraulic self-propelled vessel transporter.  

Senesco Marine, LLC., of North Kingstown, RI, will receive $738,289 to support the purchase and installation of a one-sided sub arc welding system that consists of three integrated digital systems to load, fit, and weld multi-plate panels; upgraded network servers and software; an All-Terrain Lift with variable reach; and a Tier 4 compressor. 

SOUTH CAROLINA? 

Main Industries, Inc., of North Charleston, SC, will receive $527,173 to support the purchase of two (2) HydraBlast Pumps and associated equipment.? 

TEXAS 

Southwest Shipyard, LP., of Channelview, TX, on the Mississippi River, will receive $1,200,000 for blasting and painting equipment upgrades.  

Sterling Shipyard LLC, of Port Neches, TX, on the Mississippi River will receive $1,000,000 in funding to purchase a 120×80 floating drydock to further expand their orderbook capacities.  

WASHINGTON? 

All American Marine, Inc., of Bellingham, WA, will receive $916,166 to purchase CNC dual head router and CNC press brake systems.  

Everett Ship Repair, LLC., of Everett, WA, will receive $1,168,613 to support the acquisition of a 140-ton telescopic crawler crane.?