The United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) has awarded 8.75 million USD in federal funding to 17 small shipyards across 12 states, under a government initiative to support the domestic maritime sector.
Announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the funding forms part of the Small Shipyard Grant Program, a long-running scheme administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD). The grants aim to assist shipyards in upgrading equipment, enhancing workforce training, and increasing operational capacity.
According to the Department of Transportation, the programme supports the modernisation of shipyard infrastructure and encourages the development of skilled labour through training and apprenticeship schemes. Secretary Duffy stated that revitalising America’s shipyards was a priority for the current administration, with a view to strengthening the country’s position in the global maritime sector.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said:President Trump’s plan to reclaim maritime dominance starts with rebuilding America’s shipyards. This program will help America to build big, beautiful ships again to counter Chinese competition and maintain freedom on the seas.
Since its launch in 2008, the programme has distributed over 320 million USD in federal funding across more than 380 projects. This year’s funding round continues that effort, with individual grants ranging from under 100,000 USD to more than 800,000 USD, depending on the scope and focus of each project.
List of 2025 Small Shipyard Grant Recipients:
- Alabama: Master Boat Builders, Bayou La Bâtre – 427,596 USD for training equipment and technology
- Alaska: Resolve Marine, Dutch Harbor – 447,341 USD for a Caterpillar 980 Wheel Loader
- California: Marine Group Boat Works, Chula Vista – 248,403 USD for a metal cutting table
- California: Bay Ship & Yacht Co., Alameda – 388,777 USD for cutting equipment
- Florida: Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City – 93,538 USD for a plate shear
- Florida: St. Johns Ship Building, Palatka – 617,040 USD for a 110-ton rough terrain crane
- Kentucky: JamesBuilt, Calvert City – 599,130 USD for a 65-ton rough terrain crane
- Louisiana: Breaux’s Bay Craft, New Iberia – 817,150 USD for a 200-ton Marine Travelift
- Louisiana: PAR61 Marine Repair, Port Allen – 723,242 USD for infrastructure upgrades and lifting equipment
- Maryland: Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury – 817,150 USD for a 160-ton mobile crane
- Pennsylvania: Heartland Fabrication, Brownsville – 588,092 USD for a plasma cutting machine
- Rhode Island: J. Goodison Company, North Kingston – 274,596 USD for welding equipment
- Texas: Conrad Orange Shipyard, Orange – 418,201 USD for a plasma cutting system
- Washington: Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Freeland – 357,317 USD for fabrication tools and welders
- Washington: Snow & Company, Seattle – 817,150 USD for metalworking equipment
- Washington: Lake Union Drydock Company, Seattle – 298,132 USD for a mobile crane and LED lighting
- Wisconsin: Fraser Shipyards, Superior – 817,146 USD for a 130-ton rough terrain crane.
The Small Shipyard Grant Program remains a key part of the U.S. maritime industrial policy, with the latest funding cycle intended to boost resilience, expand technical capacity, and enable small and medium-sized facilities to contribute to national shipbuilding and repair priorities.
