The US MARAD awarded $4.9 million in grants to support capital improvements at nine small shipyards located throughout the United States. Provided through the Small Shipyard Grant Program, the funding supports industrial modernizations that increase productivity, allowing our Nation’s small shipyards to compete more effectively in the global marketplace.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said:
“Small shipyard grants do more than just improve shipyard infrastructure and equipment or add to the bottom line.They also create jobs and new opportunities, and they strengthen local economies.”
Small shipyards are important for our Nation’s shipbuilding and repair activity. There are a lot of facilities that vary in size, from family-owned businesses employing a few dozen workers, to multifaceted establishments with hundreds of employees. The grants, will fund a few of projects including infrastructure improvements and equipment upgrades to increase operational competitiveness and quality vessel construction.
“U.S. shipyards produce what are unquestionably some of the best-built vessels in the world.The grants awarded today will help ensure that ‘Built in America’ remains an international shipbuilding standard.”said Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen.
118 grant applications were received from MARAD requesting $80 million in assistance, far exceeding the $4.9 million made available for the grants. Since 2009, the Obama administration has provided more than $167 million to help U.S. shipyards and their workers reap the benefits of increased production capabilities delivered by emerging technologies and highly skilled workers.
Source: US MARAD
