US MARAD announces $8.75m in grants to revitalize U.S. shipyards

^{Image credit: U.S. Department of Transportation}

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded $8.75m in grants to revitalize U.S. shipyards and advance America’s maritime dominance, according to the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

The funding is part of the Small Shipyard Grant program, which supports advanced training, workforce development, and new technologies that strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and repair capabilities.

“President Trump’s plan to reclaim maritime dominance starts with rebuilding America’s shipyards,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This program will help America to build big, beautiful ships again to counter Chinese competition and maintain freedom on the seas.”

Since its inception in 2008, the Small Shipyard Grant program has awarded 382 grants totaling $320.5m to qualified small shipyard facilities.

The Small Shipyard Grant Program selected 17 recipients across 12 states to modernize infrastructure, enhance training and expand apprenticeship programs.

The complete list of shipyard grant recipients in fiscal year 2025, as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation, is as follows:

Alabama

Master Boat Builders of Bayou La Bâtre, AL, will receive $427,596.38 to support the procurement