Philly Shipyard wins major contract
Illustration of the training vessel (Source: Herbert Engineering and MARAD)
U.S. yard Philly Shipyard has won a major contract worth US$630 million to build two training ships of 160m length for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The contract includes three options for repeat vessels.
Planning work has begun. Construction will start in 2021 and the first two ships are due to be finished in the spring and winter of 2023. If the U.S. Government decides to order the three optioned ships, the total contract would be worth US$1.5 billion. The new ships will replace an aging training fleet at U.S. state maritime academies. Known as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, each one will feature modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Normally they will carry 600 cadets and 100 officers and training staff.
The contract was placed via TOTE Services, a ship management company handling the newbuilding project on behalf of the Department of Transportation. As the shipyard completed construction on a pair of large container ships last year, Philly Shipyard scrambled to line up new business. But the new order will help secure its future.
