USA: Major Defense Shipyards Join Shipbuilders Council of America

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) says that Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding Divisions and General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works (General Dynamics NASSCO is currently a member of the SCA) have joined its national trade association. The move will enhance SCA’s ability to communicate the critical role that the shipbuilding and repair sectors plays in bolstering economic, national and homeland security.

“Today’s announcement is an important development for the effective representation of the shipyard industry in our nation’s capital. The integration of these major defense construction shipyards into the SCA will improve the industry’s ability to speak with one voice to Congress and the Administration about the critical need for a strong shipyard industrial base. We are excited about the strategic opportunities to advance the shared goals and interests of our diverse membership,” SCA President Matthew Paxton said.

The announcement was made this morning at the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus quarterly breakfast, hosted by the Navy League of the United States and SCA, as well as honorary Co-Chairs Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT). Over 100 representatives from shipyards, the shipbuilding supplier base, the Coast Guard, and Navy, as well as Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Congressmen Steve Palazzo (R-MS), Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA), Congressman Jeff Landry (R-LA) and staff were in attendance.

“Collectively, the shipbuilders of SCA build ships that are statements of national purpose and protect America’s interests around the world in an ever-changing global environment,” said Mike Petters, president and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries. “The vitality of this industry, including our national supply chain, is directly linked to our country’s continued strength as a maritime nation.”

The SCA’s issue agenda this year includes advocating for Navy budgets that will meet the 313 Navy fleet floor; demanding that the Coast Guard build out its fleet of vessels through more predictable serial construction; maintaining healthy maintenance and repair funding to keep the Navy and Coast Guard highly operational; promoting and protecting the Jones Act as a critical aspect of the economic and national security component of the shipyard industry for commercial new construction and repair; and maintaining a shipyard industry that will build and repair vessels for new markets such as offshore renewable energy and the American Marine Highway Initiative.

“The entire shipbuilding and repair industry now speaks with one voice in Washington, D.C. This is a very positive step toward effectively advancing the association’s strategic goals and promoting the industry as a whole on both Capitol Hill and with the regulatory agencies,” said Chris Bollinger, Executive Vice President of Bollinger Shipyards and SCA Chairman.

SCA member shipyards employ over 72,000 people across the United States. When combined with the shipyard supplier base, the industry as a whole employs approximately 400,000 Americans in all 50 states. This broad footprint allows SCA to work closely with Congress to advance the priorities of the industry.

“Today’s announcement marks a new opportunity to work together to leverage the power of the industry as a whole. We are excited to be together again as part of the national trade association representing the shipbuilding and repair industry,” said Fred Harris, President of General Dynamics NASSCO and former ASA Chairman.

SCA was established in 1920 as the trade association dedicated to representing the interests of the U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair industry. SCA members build, repair and service America’s fleet of government and commercial vessels. The Council represents 48 companies that own and operate well over 120 shipyards in 22 states, with facilities on all three U.S. coasts, the Great Lakes and the inland waterways system. SCA also represents 38 affiliate members that provide goods and services to the shipyard industry.

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Source: shipbuilders, June 27, 2011;