2023 NSMV Empire State Christening Ceremony

2021 NSMV Keel Laying Milestone Event

The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration celebrated the Keel Laying of the State-Class Training Ship EMPIRE STATE, a National Security Multi-Mission Vessel on Friday, 10 December, 2021 at 10:00am EDT, Philly Shipyard, Inc. 

The keel laying is a contractual milestone to recognize when the first grand block of the vessel is loaded into the building dock. Keel laying traditions are said to bring good luck to the ship during construction and to the captain, crew and cadets that will sail on the vessel throughout her operating life. 

Road to the NSMV

MARAD provides ships from the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) as training vessels for the six state maritime academies. The agency is currently working to replace these older ships with new, purpose-built training vessels that will better meet the academies training needs while also providing the U.S. with ships that can support disaster response and other critical national needs.

"Promote United States' ability to construct world-class National Security Multi-Mission Vessels to be delivered on time, as designed, and at a fixed price for advancing the education of future merchant marine officers."

Why the NSMV?

The NSMV is designed to provide a state-of-the-art training platform that ensures the U.S. continues to set the world standard in maritime training. The ship is outfitted with numerous training spaces to include eight classrooms, a full training bridge, lab spaces and an auditorium. The NSMV has space to train up to 600 cadets at sea, maximizing the capability of the ship and its mission to provide our cadets with a world-class education.

"Educate and inspire future merchant marine offices on board the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels to ensure the United States meets our economic and national security needs through safe and efficient maritime operations."

Emergency Preparedness

In addition to being an educational platform, this vessel is a highly functional national asset. Designed to fulfill numerous roles, the NSMV can effectively support the federal response to national disasters such as Hurricanes Maria and Harvey. The vessel will have state-of-the-art hospital facilities, a helicopter landing pad and the ability to berth up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Alongside its humanitarian capacities, the NSMV has a roll-on/roll-  off ramp and container storage allowing it to provide aid to damaged ports.

Economic Benefits

• “Promote United States’ ability to construct world-class National Security Multi-Mission Vessels to be delivered on time, as designed, and at a fixed price for advancing the education of future merchant marine officers.”
• “Educate and inspire future merchant marine officers on board the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels to ensure the United States meets our economic and national security needs through safe and efficient maritime operations.”

Investment in the NSMV will foster the growth of the Nation’s maritime transportation workforce, men and women working in the shipbuilding and repair industry, while addressing a critical shortage of U.S. merchant mariners needed to crew commercial and government-owned sealift ships during a military crisis.