Congressman: Shipbuilding contract to bring 1,200 jobs to region
Courier-Post
April 10, 2020
CAMDEN – A $630 million shipyard contract will bring an estimated 1,200 jobs to the South Jersey-Philadelphia area, a local congressman predicted Thursday.
“This new shipbuilding contract is a major win,” U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-Camden, said of the deal to build “national security multi-mission vessels” at Philly Shipyard.
The ships are intended to provide maritime training and to support humanitarian aid and disaster relief, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
The federal agency said Wednesday a Florida firm, TOTE Services LLC, had chosen Philly Shipyard to build the first two vessels in a planned five-ship series.
The contract’s value could rise to about $1.5 billion if three more ships are built at Philly Shipyard, Norcross said.
“Engineering and planning work is already underway,” said a statement from Philly Shipyard, formerly known as Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.