The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced the allocation of $8.75 million as part of the Small Shipyard Grant Program. This initiative aims to support American shipbuilding, introduce modern technologies, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness amid growing pressure from China.
Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated that the program will help grow the skilled workforce, modernize shipyard infrastructure, and preserve maritime dominance. “Revitalizing American shipyards is directly linked to our economy and national security,” he emphasized.
Since its inception in 2008, MARAD has awarded 382 grants totaling $320.5 million to eligible small shipyards. In FY2025, the funds will be distributed among companies in 14 states:
📍 2025 Grant Recipients by State:
🔹 Alabama:
• Master Boat Builders — $427,596 for training equipment and technology integration
🔹 Alaska:
• Resolve Marine, Inc. — $447,341 for the purchase of a Caterpillar 980 wheel loader
🔹 California:
• Marine Group Boat Works, LLC — $248,403 for a Flow Mach 500 waterjet metal cutting table
• Bay Ship & Yacht Co. — $388,777 for CNC plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment
🔹 Florida:
• Eastern Shipbuilding Group — $93,538 for a 10-foot sheet metal shear
• St. Johns Ship Building — $617,040 for a 110-ton Grove GRT8100 rough terrain crane
🔹 Kentucky:
• JamesBuilt, LLC — $599,130 for a 65-ton rough terrain crane
🔹 Louisiana:
• Breaux’s Bay Craft, Inc. — $817,150 for a 200-ton marine Travelift
• PAR61 Marine Repair — $723,242 for Travelift infrastructure upgrades, three new switchboards, a telescopic handler, and a crane apron
🔹 Maryland:
• Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. — $817,150 for a 160-ton mobile crane
🔹 Pennsylvania:
• Heartland Fabrication, LLC — $588,092 for a Koike Aronson PlatePro XHD plasma cutting machine
🔹 Rhode Island:
• J. Goodison Company — $274,596 for welding equipment and a press brake
🔹 Texas:
• Conrad Orange Shipyard — $418,201 for a CNC plasma cutting system
🔹 Washington:
• Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (Ice Floe, LLC) — $357,317 for CNC milling, laser cutting machines, a dust collector, air dryer, and 15 multi-process wire-feed welding machines
• Snow & Company, Inc. — $817,150 for a segmented CNC press brake and a grinding machine
• Lake Union Drydock Company — $298,132 for a 9-ton mobile crane, four welders, a sheet metal shear, and LED lighting for the drydock
🔹 Wisconsin:
• Fraser Shipyards, LLC — $817,146 for a 130-ton Link Belt rough terrain crane
