Keel laid for the first of the new U.S. maritime training ships

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December 10, 2021

SUNY training vessel returned to starboard NSMV
The National Security Multi-Mission Ship will replace aging ships in State Maritime Academies. SUNY Maritime rendering

A keel-laying ceremony in Philadelphia on Friday marked the start of construction of a new class of up to five new training ships specially built for U.S. maritime academies, replacing aging ships with national security multi-mission ships or NSMV.

Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. builds the first ship, destined for the State University of New York Maritime College, under the direction of Tote services for delivery in 2023. Along with the training of future US sailors, the 524’5 “x88’7” x55 ‘ships will support humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions in US waters and overseas in case of emergency.

“Today’s first NSMV keel lay is a critical step in an innovative effort that produces state-of-the-art vessels in a U.S. shipyard that will both train the next generation of U.S. sailors and provide a new response capability to disasters for the nation, ”Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley said in a joint statement with TOTE Services. “We congratulate all of you who are working hard to keep this effort on time and on budget, and we look forward to the final delivery of the first vessel. “

“As part of the tradition of shipbuilding, the keel laying ceremony invites luck in the construction and life of a ship as the first pre-fabricated block is lowered into the construction dock,” said Steinar Nerbovik, President and CEO of Philly Shipyard. “Today represents a momentous achievement in US maritime education and a significant investment in the local economy and job creation.”

The NSMV will have training spaces, a full training deck and accommodation for up to 600 cadets to train in a maritime university environment at sea.

SUNY and other state maritime academies graduate more than half of all new merchant officers each year. The Department of Transport Marine Administration selected TOTE Services to be the Shipbuilding Manager for the NSMV program in May 2019 to ensure the use of best practices in the construction of commercial vessels.

In April 2020, TOTE Services awarded Philly Shipyard a contract to build up to five NSMVs. These vessels will be owned and operated by Marad.

“TOTE Services’ contract with Marad demonstrates a new procurement process for federal shipbuilding, where the government benefits from best business practices to design and build union-built vessels in a US shipyard with steel and engines made in the United States, ”said Jeff Dixon, president of TOTE Services. “Our goal is clear: We are committed to making this program a success and delivering these ships for MARAD, so that our future cadets have the modern training platforms they deserve. “

Congress has allocated funds to replace aging training ships at SUNY Maritime College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy and Texas A&M Maritime Academy, respectively. TOTE Services retains an option to build a fifth NSMV for the California State University Maritime Academy, if additional funding is granted by Congress.

“This historic maritime event is the fulfillment of a multi-year vision made possible by the partnership between the presidents of the State Maritime Academy, the Department of Transport, the Maritime Administration and members of Congress,” said Admiral Michael Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime. “I am grateful to each of them for their efforts and support for this vital program which will shape the future of the marine industry and enhance the training of future seafarers. Our cadets are eager to learn and train on this advanced technology. ship.”

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