In April, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $19.6 million in discretionary grants to U.S. small shipyards through the Small Shipyard Grant Program.
MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program provides funding to assist eligible shipyards modernize operations, improve efficiency, and increase productivity by investing in emerging technologies and a highly skilled workforce.
Projects under the program include capital and related improvement projects that foster efficiency, competitive operations, and quality ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration. In addition, the program can fund training projects that foster employee skills and enhance productivity.
The economic footprint of American shipyards is nearly 400,000 jobs, $25.1 billion of labor income, and $37.3 billion in GDP.
Small Shipyard Grant recipients in the Mid Atlantic region include:
MARYLAND
Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. of Salisbury, MD, which designs and builds commercial ships up to 450 feet in length, will receive $830,622 to purchase a 130‐ton Rough Terrain Crane.
NEW YORK
Smith Boys Marine Sales Inc. of North Tonowanda, NY, a family-owned boat service and repair company, will receive $317,641 for a transporter and CNC plasma cutter.
OHIO
The Great Lakes Towing Company of Cleveland, OH, a company with 120 years of service on the Great Lakes, will receive $1,400,000 for an 820‐ton Travelift.
PENNSYLVANIA
Philly Shipyard, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA, a U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the U.S. Jones Act market, will receive $640,158 for a Messer system.
VIRGINIA
Colonna's Shipyard, Inc. Norfolk VA, which performs ship repair, machining and steel fabrication services to both the commercial and government markets, will receive $799,996 to purchase welding machines.
