Kelly Tours Hanwha Philly Shipyard to Hear from Workers, Highlights Need to Pass Ships for America Act to Lower Costs & Strengthen National Security
Kelly introduced the bill with bipartisan, bicameral support and has the support of over 70 industry leaders
Today, U.S. Navy veteran and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy alumnus Arizona Senator Mark Kelly toured Hanwha Philly Shipyard, a commercial shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kelly heard from workers and highlighted the urgent need to restore U.S. shipbuilding capacity to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen national security. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), who represents the district where the shipyard is located, joined Kelly in the visit.
Hanwha Philly Shipyard is a leading U.S. shipyard for commercial and government projects, a model for the type of investment the SHIPS for America Actwill supercharge to bring the best shipbuilding processes and technology back to the United States. Kelly introduced this legislation to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.
During the tour, Kelly put on his hard hat and walked through fabrication shops inside the shipyard where he talked to workers and saw assembling processes up close. After this, Kelly toured the State of Maine, the third of five new MARAD-owned National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) and saw TOTE Services, Inc.’s streamlined Vessel Construction Management (VCM) model in action. The State of Maine is anticipated to be delivered later this year to Maine Maritime Academy to serve as a state-of-the-art cadet training vessel and to fulfill numerous federal emergency response roles.
Sen. Kelly hears from Hanwha Philly Shipyard leadership during the tour.
Later, Kelly met with apprentices and instructors in the shipyard’s training center. He had the opportunity to observe the skills they’re learning and hear about why they applied to the program and how it’s creating opportunities for them. Hanwha Philly Shipyard’s three-year apprenticeship program provides interested candidates a way to break into the shipbuilding industry without having to pay for technical training out of pocket. Apprentices receive union pay and benefits as they learn one of five disciplines: shipbuilding, welding, outfitting, machine operation, and maintenance.
Sen. Kelly meets with Hanwha Philly Shipyard employees.
During the tour, Kelly also met with Hanwha Philly Shipyard’s President and CEO David Kim and staff to learn about the transition since Hanwha acquired Philly Shipyard last year, and the company’s plans to grow.
