U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Philly Shipyard, Inc. Selected to Build the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV)

WASHINGTON – Today, the Maritime Administration announced that TOTE Services, LLC, has selected Philly Shipyard, Inc., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to construct the newest class of training ship, the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV). The shipyard will construct up to five new ships to provide world-class maritime training for America’s future mariners and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in times of need. (Full TOTE announcement below)

“This new world class vessel, constructed at an American shipyard, is part of our much-needed program to replace the aging training vessels currently operated by state maritime academies,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

In May 2019 TOTE Services, LLC, contracted with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) as the Vessel Construction Manager to deliver one to five NSMVs. This occurred after Congress required that the NSMVs would be procured using commercial design and build practices. Following construction and delivery of the ships to TOTE Services, LLC, the vessels will be transferred to MARAD to further their historic mission of training future licensed mariners at state maritime academies and responding to humanitarian and natural disasters for the United States.

“Investing in maritime education creates more American jobs,” said Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby.  “By the selection of Philly Shipyard, Inc., as the construction shipyard for the NSMV, this effort is not only bolstering the U.S. Merchant Marine, but the U.S. economy and vital transportation infrastructure as well.”

The NSMV will help to sustain world-class, U.S. maritime training operations at the state maritime academies by equipping young American mariners with the most modern and adaptable training platform.  The NSMV will feature numerous instructional spaces and a full training bridge, and have space for up to 600 cadets to train in a first-rate maritime academic environment at sea.

Along with serving as an educational and training platform, the NSMV will also be available to uniquely support federal government efforts in response to national and international disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. In this role as a National Defense Reserve Fleet vessel, the NSMV will incorporate medical capabilities, a command and control platform, and berthing for up to 1,000 first responders and recovery workers.  The vessel’s roll-on/roll-off ramp and crane to facilitate container storage capabilities will enable it to provide critical support equipment and supplies to those in need.

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Contact: Christopher B. Smith

Phone: 314-443-0832

TOTE Services Announces Contract to Construct New Class Ships

Philly Shipyard Selected to Build National Security Multi-Mission Vessels

Jacksonville, Fla., April 7, 2020 – TOTE Services, LLC, (“TOTE Services”) an affiliate of TOTE, LLC (“TOTE”) and an industry leader in ship management, marine operations and vessel services, has awarded Philly Shipyard, Inc., (“Philly Shipyard”) the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA, a contract to construct up to five new ships – the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) – to provide world-class maritime training for America’s future mariners and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) in times of need.

This award will execute the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) vision to recapitalize our nation’s maritime academies’ training fleet, which provide qualified officers to the domestic maritime industry. These training vessels will address a critical shortage of qualified officers needed to crew commercial and government-owned sealift ships during crises and will replace the current training ships at the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas and California. 

TOTE Services was selected by MARAD in May 2019 to be the Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) for the NSMV program to ensure the utilization of best practices in commercial ship construction. Congress has appropriated funding for three ships and the President’s budget request includes funding for the fourth training ship. 

TOTE Services has commissioned Philly Shipyard to construct the first two NSMV training ships with options for the remaining three.  The ships will be owned and operated by MARAD. The new vessels will maximize the capabilities to educate future mariners by providing first-of-its kind training facilities, including dual engine rooms and pilot houses and the latest in maritime technologies with space to train up to 600 cadets at sea. Each ship will feature modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need.  Adding to the NSMV’s capability, it will provide needed roll-on/roll-off ramp and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief or delivery of preferenced cargoes.

In addition to being a state-of-the-art training and educational platform, the NSMV is a highly-functional national asset designed to fulfill numerous roles. As the VCM, TOTE Services will manage the specifications established to ensure compatibility with the pier length, draft restrictions, and mooring limitations at each of the maritime training academies and ports able to conduct HA/DR operations.

TOTE Services has a long history of supporting maritime academy training programs and disaster relief missions in conjunction with MARAD. We are confident in our ability to work with Philly Shipyard to deliver on the NSMV and are excited to again work with MARAD on this important initiative.

Since 2015, TOTE Services has overseen the construction and management of the world’s first LNG-powered container ships, activated U.S. training ships to support disaster relief following Hurricane Maria, and managed various MARAD vessels, including six fast sealift ships.

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The TOTE group of companies are leading transportation and logistics companies in the US. The TOTE Maritime companies (affiliates TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, LLC) bring unmatched reliability and service to their respective markets. TOTE Services offers crewing and technical services to meet the needs of commercial, privately owned and U.S. Government vessels. The TOTE group is part of the Saltchuk family of companies.