$503M for Shipyard Infrastructure Dry Dock

KITTERY -

A fiscal year 2023 (FY23) government funding package was recently signed into law, which included $503 million to continue the modernization of Dry Dock #1 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery. The legislation also includes provisions requiring the Navy to induct a class of at least 100 apprentices at PNSY, and it provides $2.5 million to help plan and design a new day care center at the shipyard.

“Ensuing that the hardworking and highly skilled employees at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard have the resources they need to do their jobs as efficiently as possible is essential to maintaining our Navy fleet and enhancing our national security. I have long advocated for the Navy to address the modernization needs at PNSY, and this legislation will help build on funding I have previously secured for critical upgrades,” said Senator Susan Collins, who co-sponsored the legislation. “Additionally, I am pleased that the bill includes two provisions I championed to address workforce shortages at the shipyard. The continuation of PNSY’s successful apprenticeship program will prepare a new generation of shipbuilders, while planning for a new child care center would alleviate stress on working parents. Together, these investments will help PNSY remain the gold standard among the nation’s public shipyards.”

The funding package also provided $2.45 billion for Navy ship depot operations support and $10.3 billion for ship depot maintenance, which supports day-to-day operations at the shipyards. That included an additional $190 million above what was requested in the Department of Defense’s (DOD) budget for new tools, test equipment, and machinery for public shipyards. Additionally, the package includ-