MARAD announces $9.98 million in grants to small shipyards

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $9.98 million in grants to 13 small shipyards under the U.S Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grants Program

“These grants will help improve our ability to build and repair ships in the United States, strengthening our economy and helping position these small businesses and shipyard workers to be better prepared to win the future,” said Secretary LaHood.

“This money will help train workers and buy new tools and equipment,” said U.S. Maritime Administrator David Matsuda. “Having these essential needs taken care of will help these small shipyards be more productive, efficient, and able to sustain good jobs for American workers well into the future.”

MARAD received over 118 grant applications requesting $105 million in assistance. The grants fund a variety of projects, including infrastructure improvements and modernizing equipment to increase the efficiency, competitive operations, and quality construction of vessels in U.S. shipyards.

A detail list of grant recipents follows:

• Alaska Ship and Drydock, Inc. – Ketchikan Shipyard (Ketchikan, AK) – $1,018,314.75 for a one side welder, a material handling system and a cnc cutting system
• BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Alabama, LLC (Mobile, AL) – $1,008,838.00 for a steel profile processing system
• Bay Ship & Yacht Co. (Alameda, CA) – $405,789.00 for an air compressor and electrical upgrades
• Brownsville Marine Products, LLC (Brownsville, PA) – $877,940.25 for an automated blast and coat system
• C&C Marine Maintenance – Congo Shipyard (Newell, WV) – $1,232,135.00 for a new dry dock
• Hendry Corporation (Tampa, FL) – $1,000,000.00 for a new dry dock
• Ice Floe, LLC dba Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (Freeland, WA) – $519,761.00 for 25 ton and 40 ton mobile cranes
• Jamesbuilt, LLC (Calvert City, KY) – $882,150.00 for a one side panel welding system
• Marinette Marine Corporation (Marinette, WI) – $604,394.00 for a dust collection system and air compressors
• MBLH Marine, LLC dba Vessel Repair (Port Arthur, TX) – $525,000.00 for a 20 ton tower crane
• Senesco Marine, LLC (North Kingstown, RI) – $279,677.00 for launch equipment and software
• Southwest Shipyard, LP (Channelview, TX) – $664,325.00 for a stiffener welding system
• Yank Marine, Inc. (Tuckahoe, NJ) – $961,676.00 for a 300 ton Marine Travelift

August 15, 2011