Escanaba shipyard earns federal grant
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ESCANABA -- North Shore Marine Terminal & Logistics Inc. is among 45 shipyards nationwide to receive grant funds as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration 2026 Small Shipyard Grant Program.
This round of grants, announced Aug. 13, included $35.18 million in awards -- the highest amount since 2009 -- to shipyards in 24 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program was authorized earlier this year under the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
North Shore Marine Terminal & Logistics, Inc., 328 N. 10th St. in Escanaba, received a total of $898,022 to modernize its floating drydock's ballast-control system, valves, actuators and electronic tank-level monitoring system.
The business is considered a full-service marine construction and repair facility, offering a wide range of services that include cargo handling, vessel berthing, storage facilities, marine construction, repair and dredging. Formerly known as Basic Marine, the shipyard has been in use since 1979 and consists of more than 1,200 feet of pier space and 500 feet of dock space.
According to MARAD, the funds distributed this round aim to help awardees modernize, increase productivity and expand local employment opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.
Projects awarded range from Marine Travelifts to mobile cranes, computer-numerical control machines and worker training equipment and programs.
According to Erika Young, director of the Small Shipyard Grant Coalition, grants in previous rounds were typically limited to a maximum of two awards per state. This round, shipyards in Washington state received six awards; in Oregon, four awards; and Michigan and Texas received three awards each.
The other two shipyards to receive grants in Michigan include Champions Auto Ferry Inc. in Algonac for $53,500 and Dean Marine and Excavating Inc., in Dearborn for $1 million.
Young also noted 20 grants were awarded to current or former members of the Small Shipyard Grant Coalition.
"As Congress continues to consider funding levels for the next round of small shipyard grants, we anticipate that small shipyards will once again have the opportunity to apply for grants next year," Young said.
Additional information on Small Shipyard Grants can be found on MARAD's website or by contacting David M. Heller, deputy associate administrator for shipbuilding and industry expansion, at 202-366-5737 or by emailing Smallshipyardgrants@dot.gov.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.