MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Secretary of the Navy was at Marinette Marine Monday, as the shipbuilder is vying for another major contract.
Activity is ramping up, as the company works on a $100 million expansion that will help it build larger ships. Gov. Tony Evers set aside $31 million for Marinette Marine in his budget proposal.
Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, and Peter Navarro, Assistant to President Donald Trump, were at Marinette Marine. It was part of a statewide manufacturing-defense tour for the two.
It was a timely visit as the company is in the running for a Navy contract that is projected to have a $5 billion impact on the area economy.
Marinette Marine is one of five companies vying for the U.S. Navy’s new 20-ship frigate class called the FFG (X).
Richard Hunt, Chief Strategy Officer for Marinette Marine, tells FOX 11 each ship is expected to come with a price tag between $800 million and $950 million.
“Should we win this contract, it’s a 10 or 15-year steady-state, continual, shipbuilding project for the United States. It’s a long-term, very positive, plus for the region.”
The FFG (X) is almost twice as big as the Littoral Combat Ship, which Marinette Marine has been building for the last several years.
“So, when you think an LCS is about 4,000 tons, the frigate as we have it designed right now is about 7,400 tons,” said Hunt.
Spencer did not provide an endorsement but told Marinette Marine employees the company is well positioned. He says the feedback has been great on the LCS ships they’ve built.
“If you go down to a wharf and look at the smiling sailors, they’re usually associated with the LCS. It really is and I’m not just saying that because I’m standing here in front of you.”
Even though the FFG (X) contract likely won’t be awarded until July 2020, Hunt says Marinette Marine is moving forward with a 130-foot tall warehouse where the ships would be built.
“We need to be able to demonstrate that we can get this thing in place in a timely manner so when the government evaluates it and they take a look at the risk, they want to see things ready to go so you can quickly deliver the capability to the Navy.”
“I’m hopeful that Marinette will get a good share of that business,” said Navarro.
Marinette Marine is also expected to be officially awarded a contract soon to build four Multi-Mission Surface Combatants for Saudi Arabia.
Marinette Marine has said it would add 400 new jobs if it lands the MMSC deal and the one for the FFG (X) ships.
Marinette Marine’s LCS work is expected to last into 2021.
