The U.S. Maritime market

In the U.S. there are 89 “Major” Shipyards” as defined by the U.S. Maritime Administration as capable of building, repairing or providing topside repairs for ships 112 m (400 ft.) long and more.
In 2008 U.S. shipyard delivered
• 13 Large Deep Draft Vessels
• 58 Offshore Service Vessels
• 142 Tugs and Towboats
• 51 Passenger Vessels (50 ft. +)
• 9 Commercial Fishing Vessels
• 240 “other” self-propelledVessels
• 23 Megayachts
• 10 Oceangoing Barges
• 224 Tank Barges under 5,000 gt
In Total U.S. shipyards employ 85,300 people (vs. 166,900 in 1975). In addition, 53,900 are employed in a significant U.S. boatbuilding industry
The US flag fleet has decreased from in 1975: 857 oceangoing ships of 17.7 million dwt to in 2007: 189 ships of 8.6 million dwt
The Jones Act Fleet consists of 38,000 vessels representing an aggregate investment of $48 billion.
The Big Six
There are six very large shipyards that build ships for the Navy, Coast Guard, as well as large commercial ships, primarily for the Jones Act Trade. These are
• Northrop Grumman
- Newport News Shipbuilding
- Avondale
- Ingalls Shipbuilding
• General Dynamics
- Bath Iron Works
- Electric Boat
- NASSCO
There is a vibrant medium-sized yard niche which by volume builds the largest number of vessels, such as
• Tugboats, Barges & ATB’s
• Small Ships
• Offshore Service Vessels
• Ferries
• Smaller Navy, Coast Guard & NOAA vessels
❊
Når det gjelder Newport News tar vi med fra verftets siste sjøsetting:
Northrop Grumman Corporation reached a milestone Jan. 18 2009 by launching the Virginia-class submarine «New Mexico» (SSN 779) at the company’s Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va.
– Launching a ship is always a proud moment for the shipbuilders and crew, said Becky Stewart, vice president of submarine programs for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News. – Our Virginia-class team has done an excellent job of achieving this milestone and furthering our efforts to deliver «New Mexico» eight months ahead of schedule.
On January 15, shipbuilders used a transfer car system to move the 7,800-ton «New Mexico» out of a construction facility to a floating dry dock. Three days later, they submerged the floating dry dock and successfully launched «New Mexico» into the James River. Once in the water, tugboats moved «New Mexico» to the shipyard’s submarine pier where final outfitting and testing will take place.
Cmdr. Mark Prokopius, Prospective Commanding Officer of the Pre-Commissioning Unit New Mexico, was onboard as the submarine touched water for the first time. – It’s great to get our ship into the water, said Prokopius. – My crew and I are excited about achieving this significant milestone, and although we know there is a lot of work to do, launch brought with it a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of being operational and renewed energy. We look forward to working with the shipbuilders to complete construction and testing and taking her to sea later this year.
«New Mexico» is the sixth ship of the Virginia class. With improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements, it will provide undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. The ship’s construction began March 2004 and the ship’s sponsor, Cindy Giambastiani, christened the ship during a ceremony held Dec. 13, 2008. «New Mexico» is scheduled for delivery in August 2009.
❊
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.