The Trump administration announced a $2 billion investment to build two new military ships at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The project supports President Donald Trump’s plan to strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and restore American maritime dominance.
Officials revealed the investment during the christening of the Lone Star State, the Department of Transportation’s fourth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV).
According to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought announced the investment under President Trump’s Executive Order to Restore America’s Maritime Dominance.
What Happened?
Secretary Sean Duffy and OMB Director Russell Vought announced the new funding during a ceremony in Philadelphia.
The administration will use the funding to build two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs) at Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
These ships will replace two military vessels that have served for about 50 years in the Department of War’s Missile Defense Agency fleet.
The new vessels will track missile interception tests over the Pacific Ocean. They will also collect mission-critical data and support range safety operations.
President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut Act provides funding for the project. Administration officials say the investment will strengthen America’s maritime industrial base.
Lone Star State Christening Highlights Maritime Expansion
The funding announcement coincided with the christening of the Lone Star State.
The Maritime Administration built the vessel as the fourth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel.
Texas A&M Maritime Academy will use the ship to train future merchant mariners.
The vessel also supports emergency response missions. It can train about 600 cadets and accommodate up to 1,000 first responders during disasters.
MARAD plans to deliver the fifth vessel, Golden State, to California’s Cal Poly Maritime Academy in 2027.
Key Details of the Shipbuilding Project
The Maritime Administration will oversee construction through its vessel construction management model.
TOTE Services will manage the project. The company has already delivered four NSMVs on schedule and within budget.
Hanwha Philly Shipyard will build both Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels. Officials expect to deliver the first ship by June 2030.
The administration says the project will modernize military capabilities while expanding American shipbuilding capacity.
The investment also supports infrastructure and manufacturing goals, including Trump’s Pennsylvania economy initiatives that encourage industrial growth and job creation.
Maritime Policy Under the Trump Administration
Transportation officials also highlighted several maritime initiatives.
These include:
- A $35 million investment in small American shipyards, a 300% funding increase for 2026.
- Faster environmental reviews for deepwater ports.
- Nearly $1 billion to modernize U.S. ports.
- Continued expansion of domestic shipbuilding under the administration’s maritime strategy.
Officials say these efforts will strengthen military readiness while supporting commercial shipping, energy infrastructure, and workforce development.
The announcement also aligns with broader administration priorities, including Trump’s election security measures that focus on protecting critical national infrastructure.
Political and Economic Impact
The $2 billion investment could create thousands of jobs across Philadelphia’s shipbuilding industry.
Supporters say the project will strengthen America’s defense manufacturing base and reduce reliance on aging military vessels.
The administration also views the investment as part of a larger strategy to expand domestic manufacturing and improve U.S. competitiveness in global shipbuilding.
What Happens Next?
MARAD will begin planning construction for the two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels.
Officials expect to deliver the first vessel by June 2030.
Meanwhile, work will continue on the fifth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel for California’s maritime academy.
The Trump administration says shipbuilding, port modernization, and defense infrastructure will remain key priorities as it advances its long-term maritime strategy.
The administration announced a $2 billion investment to build two new Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels at Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
The vessels will support missile defense testing, collect tracking data, and assist with range safety operations for the U.S. military.