USA Maritime Administration Offers USD 20Mln to Small Shipyards

USA Maritime Administration Offers USD 20Mln to Small Shipyards

The U.S. Department of Transportation's  Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of $19.6 million in federal funding to support capital improvements and employee training at small U.S. shipyards.

The grants are provided through the Small Shipyard Grant Program, and are available to U.S. shipyards with less than 1,200 production employees.

The grants support a variety of projects. This includes capital and related improvements as well as equipment upgrades that foster ship construction, repair and reconfiguration. The grants can also be used to cultivate maritime training programs intended to enhance employee skills and productivity.

"Potential applicants are advised that it is expected, based on experience, that the aggregate amount of requested funding among all applicants will far exceed the funds available and that only a small percentage of applications will be funded. It is anticipated that roughly 10–20 applications will be selected for funding with an average grant amount of about $1 million," said a notice issued by MARAD.

Applications for the grants are due by May 22, and Marad intends to award grants no later than July 23.

U.S. shipyards continue to create new jobs and strengthen the economy. In 2013, U.S. shipbuilders directly employed 110,000 U.S. workers and produced $37.3 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), according to the DOT.

UC Marin China can supply the following equipment for small shipyards:

Marine Life Saving Equipment: Self-Righting Inflatable Life Raft, Open-Reversible Inflatable Life Raft, Davit-launched Self-righting Inflatable Liferaft, Totally Enclosed Lifeboat and Rescue Boat,FRP Open Type Lifeboat, Marine Life Jacket RSCY-A4, Marine Children Life Jacket, PVC Foam Working Life Jacket, SOLAS Approved Immersion Suit, Survival Suit, Marine Evacuation System, SOLAS Approved Life Buoy, General Type Lifebuoy Light.

Pollution-Prevention Equipment: OCM-15 type 15ppm Bilge Alarm, BilgMon 488 type 15ppm Bilge Alarm, 15ppm Bilge Alarm for Oil Water Separator, Reverse Osmosis Fresh Water Generator, Plate Type Fresh Water Generator, Fuel Oil Sampling Device, Drip Type Bunker Sampler Flange, DNVPS Line Sampler, Oil Only Sorbent Pads, Oil Only Absorbent Pillows, Oil-Only White Sorbent Rolls, Oil Only Polypropylene Absorbent Socks, Chemical Spill Absorbent Pads, Hazmat Chemical Sorbent Rolls, Hazmat Sorbent Polypropylene Socks, Yellow Hazmat Sorbent Pillows, Gray Universal Absorbent Pads, Universal Sorbent Rolls, Gray Polypropylene Sorbent Socks, Gray Universal Absorbent Pillows.

Marine Kitchen Equipment: Marine Large Electromagnetic Cooker, Marine Stainless Steel Electric Rice Steamer, Marine Stainless Steel Electric Griddle, Marine Cooking Range with Oven, Marine Electric Tilting Bratt Pan, Marine Microwave Oven, Marine Dumpling Machine, Marine Steamed Bread Machine, Marine Electric Meat Grinder, Marine Electric Water Boiler, Shipboard Flake-ice Machines, Seawater Flake Ice Machine, Marine Rubbish Press Baling Machine, Marine Life Rubbish Baler Machine.