Page 23: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2016)

Maritime & Ship Security

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United States West Coast

A Maritime Hub Grows he U.S. shipbuilding industry has succeeded where many others have have little to no background in maritime various organizations within the com- is as broad and diverse as the failed: adeptly building commercial and industry trades such as welding and out- pany including but not limited to engi- country itself, spanning from military vessels in the same shipyard. ? tting. neering, production and management.

Tthe smallest workboats to large General Dynamics NASSCO has long NASSCO maintains a Professional De- The program provides employees with a oceangoing ships, as well as the most been a leader in the ship design, con- velopment Program open to both inter- holistic view of the different disciplines technically sophicsticated naval ships in struction, and repair industry. In 2015, nal and external applicants. The program of the company’s shipbuilding, design the world. the company made world history and involves a two-year rotation throughout and repair operations, while establishing

Last month the General Dynamics shattered industry standards with the de-

NASSCO hosted Maritime Administra- livery of the world’s ? rst two dry cargo tor Paul “Chip” Jaenichen for a tour of containerships to be fueled by lique? ed the San Diego-based shipyard, where natural gas (LNG). To date, these con-

SEACOR Constitution – a 610-ft. tank tainerships are the most environmental- ship was recently launched. This trip was ly-friendly, most cost-effective contain- signi? cant as it highlighted California as erships of their kind—anywhere in the the 5th highest state in total private sec- world.

tor direct employment for shipbuilding Also in 2015, the company delivered and repair industry in the U.S. Jaenichen two revolutionary classes of vessels: the shared data from a report by the U.S. ECO Class product tanker and the Na-

Maritime Administration (MARAD) vy’s ? rst Expeditionary Sea Base. Just that shows the U.S. shipbuilding and recently, the U.S. Navy awarded NASS- repair industry in California supports CO the contract to build the ? eet’s next nearly 35,000 jobs, and contributes $2.3 generation of oilers. billion in labor income and $3.6 billion NASSCO also provides complex re- in U.S. GDP. pair and maintenance services – particu- “The Administrator’s remarks while larly in support of the U.S. Naval Fleet. visiting NASSCO demonstrate not only Strategically located in four U.S. ports the local importance of the shipbuilding and with a global presence, the company and repair industry for California, but is well- positioned to service its current also the critical support on a national lev- and future customers. el the shipyard industrial base provides Finally, NASSCO invests in its people. to economic and national security,” said The company offers on-the-job training

SCA’s President, Matthew Paxton. and after hours development opportuni-

As reported in the Maritime Adminis- ties for all employees. In addition, as a tration report, The Economic Importance result of the company’s embedded Total of the U.S. Shipbuilding and Repairing Safety Culture, NASSCO maintains the

Industry, the private shipbuilding and lowest incident rate records among ship- repair industry in 2013 supported over yards of its size in the U.S.

399,000 jobs, contributing $25.1 billion As with most any shipyard, General in labor income and $37.3 billion in U.S. Dynamics NASSCO counts its people

GDP. as its number one strenghth, and to that end the company offers training and

NASSCO development opportunities for prospec-

General Dynamics NASSCO, is head- tive and current employees from various quartered at 2798 East Harbor Drive, backgrounds and skill sets.

San Diego, Calif., employing 4,362 as Individuals hired as students undergo of June 2016, with 33 open positions. an eight-week, paid trades training pro-

NASSCO historically has held a unique gram to prepare them for the NASSCO position in U.S. shipbuilding circles as it workforce. Incoming students often

Vigor workers stand proudly behind their work.

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