The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) gave the go-ahead to build two additional National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV).
These vessels will replace aging training vessels at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Me., and Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas. Earlier in 2020, MARAD authorized the construction of the first two NSMVs for SUNY Maritime College in Bronx, N.Y., and Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne, Mass.
“The NSMV is part of a strategy to bolster maritime education, revitalize U.S. shipbuilding, and provide a much-needed shot in the arm to the U.S. maritime industry,” Doug Burnett, the chief counsel of MARAD, acting in lieu of the administrator, said. “America must be a maritime nation if it is to continue to lead the world in this century.”
With this authorization, the recapitalization of the nation’s aging maritime training fleet is nearly complete. The NSMV will have space for up to 600 cadets in a maritime academic environment at sea that features numerous instructional spaces and a full training bridge.
The NSMV also includes modern medical facilities, a helicopter pad, the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need, and roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief missions.
MARAD hired TOTE Services to be the Vessel Construction Manager for the NSMV program. In April 2020, TOTE Services awarded Philly Shipyard a contract to construct up to five NSMVs with fixed prices and schedules.