MARAD awards $8.75 million in Small Shipyard Grants

Written by Nick Blenkey

Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $20.8 million in grant awards to 27 small shipyards in 20 states through the Small Shipyard Grant program. This year, though, the amounts awarded and the number of recipients were much reduced. Today MARAD announced just $8.75 million in grant awards to 15 small shipyards in 12 states through the program. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.

“Small shipyards are integral to the strength of America’s supply chains and the maritime industry” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With the grants announced today, The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering funding that will create jobs in cities and towns across the country, strengthen our commercial fleet, and add power to our national economy.”

The shipbuilding industry enhances the United States’ national and economic security. In addition to the direct output and employment the industry generates, companies in the shipbuilding and repairing industry purchase inputs from other domestic industries, contributing to economic activity in those sectors. Across the United States, shipbuilding directly provides over 100,000 jobs and over $40 billion in GDP. Since 2008, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded $311.7 million in 365 grants to nearly 200 shipyards in 33 states and territories throughout the U.S.

“Continued investment in our small shipyards enables them to acquire the cutting-edge technologies needed to remain competitive elements of America’s maritime industry.” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “These grants stimulate economic development by boosting opportunities for good jobs in the communities where shipyards are located.”

Here’s who got what this year

2024 MARAD Small Shipyard Grant Awardees
State	Shipyard	Shipyard Location	Award Amount	Description of Project
Alabama	Birdon America, Inc, Alabama Shipyard	Bayou La Batre, Ala.	$997,065	Automated Welding System
Florida	Guld Marine Repair	Tampa, Fla.	$997,678	Dry Dock strengthening Project for A.W. HENDRY drydock 311′ x 99′ x 41′ 8″
Hawaii	MARISCO, Ltd	Honolulu, Hawaii	$584,563	Electric Air Compressor and plasma cutter
Kentucky	James Marine, Inc. dba Paducah River Service	Paducah, Ky.	$460,500	40-ton Rough Terrain Crane
Louisanna	C&C Marine and Repair, LLC	Belle Chasse, La.	$514,263	Messer CNC Plasma Cutting Table
	Cooper Consolidated LLC, Convent Mile 164 Shipyard	Convent, La.	$368,440	Bobcat track holder, 4 welding machines, 9,000 lb capacity telehandler and a backhoe tractor
Maryland	The General Ship Repair Corporation	Baltimore, Md.	$364,311	Blast and Paint Shelter, ultra high pressure water blasting unit, a mist / dry unit and air dryer
Mississippi	Gulfship Apprenticeship, LLC	Gulfport, Miss.	$4,547	to purchase a CNC machine to teach students and assist shipyard
Oregon	WCT Marine & Construction, Inc	Astoria, Ore.	$874,297	450-ton Vessel Transporter
Pennsylvania	Philly Shipyard, Inc	Philadelphia, Pa.	$800,000	Shipyard Apprentice Program
	Rhodes Industries, Inc	Philadelphia, Pa.	$552,846	Expand standard welding training program adding modern mechanized welding systems
Rhode Island	SHM Newport Shipyard LLC	Newport, R.I.	$647,567	180-MT Vessel Transporter
Texas	Lighthouse Marine, LLC	Port Bolivar, Texas	$646,157	JLG Hybrid Telescopic Boom Lift, Grove 65-ton Rough Terrain Crane, Welding Machine, Plasma Cutter and Airless Paint Pump
Washington	Inventec Marine Solutions, LLC	Bremerton, Wash.	$378,079	Electric Clean Paint Booth with Blast and Spray Booths abnd two (2) 10-ton and two (2) 5-ton Overhead Bridge Cranes
	Motive Power Marine	Tacoma, Wash.	$559,687	Site Electrical upgrades, Electric Air Compressor, 12,000-lb capacity Telehandler