Florida Shipyard Secures Historic U.S. Navy Contract, Marking a Shift from Offshore Wind Initiatives

According too a recent report from St. Johns Ship Building, a shipyard located in Florida and owned by Americraft Marine, the company has landed its inaugural contract wiht the U.S. Navy to build a Dive Support Vessel (DSV).This achievement not only showcases the shipyard’s growing capabilities but also aligns with national efforts aimed at bolstering domestic maritime industry strength.

The DSV will play an essential role in supporting specialized diving operations,underwater tasks,and training missions for the Navy. Joe Rella, President of St. Johns ship Building, expressed pride in this milestone: “Winning our first Navy contract is a huge win for us and highlights the hard work and talent of our team.” He emphasized that this accomplishment reflects their commitment to meeting stringent Navy standards while contributing to initiatives like the SHIPS for America Act that aim to rejuvenate U.S.shipbuilding.This contract signifies a strategic shift for St. johns Ship Building following its acquisition by Americraft Marine’s parent company Libra Group in June 2022. Historically known for building and repairing various vessels within the Jones Act market—such as ferries and tugs—the shipyard initially set its sights on tapping into the burgeoning offshore wind sector under new ownership.

In 2022,support from the Maritime Management designated offshore wind vessels as “Vessels of National Interest,” which was expected to expedite their construction through prioritized funding avenues. Tho, everything changed dramatically when President Trump announced a freeze on offshore wind projects along the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf in January 2025—a stark contrast to previous goals aimed at achieving significant offshore wind capacity by 2030.

The bipartisan SHIPS for America Act introduced by Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN),alongside Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Trent Kelly (R-MS),seeks to revitalize American shipbuilding capabilities considerably. The legislation aims to increase the number of U.S.-flagged commercial vessels from 80 up to 250 over ten years—an effort designed partly as a countermeasure against China’s dominance in global shipbuilding markets.

Additionally, it proposes establishing a Maritime Security Trust Fund while offering tax credits for investments made into shipyards; creating positions such as White House Maritime Security Advisor; plus implementing workforce development programs—all intended not just to enhance domestic maritime production but also bolster national security overall.

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