b'MEMBER NEWSBAE Systems Begins $200 MillionUpgrade to Ship Repair ComplexE arlier this month, BAE Systems, a PVA member, began construction of a new shipliftandland-levelrepaircomplex at their ship repair facility in Jacksonville, Fla. Plans for the $200 million complex were an-nounced by the company in December of 2022. The project is expected to be complete in 2025 and will expand the shipyards docking capac-ity by 300%.The construction and operation oftherepairfacilityisexpectedtogenerate approximately 1,000 new jobs.The new shiplift system can easily accommo-date a Flight III U.S. Navy guided missile de-stroyer or a commercial vessel displacing about 25,000 tons.Once out of the water, drydocked ships will be moved from the shiplift platform to one of several repair berths inside the shipyard by a series of self-propelled modular transporters andaPearlson-designedcradlesystem.The land-levelrepairareaintheshipyardwill provide electrical, sewage, and water services to docked ships, as well as stormwater contain-ment. These services will permit repair work to occur onboard several ships simultaneously without encumbering the shipliftplatform or other work in the shipyard.In addition to supporting the Navys surface fleet at Naval Station Mayport, BAE Systems expects to expand its offerings within the com-mercial ship repair market.The shiplift project is a significant investment by BAE Systems in the Jacksonville port, and we look forward to building this new complex to expand our shipyards capacity to meet com-mercialandgovernmentshiprepairneeds, said BAE Systems platforms and services Presi-dent Jeremy Tondreault. RELIABLE POWER FOR A BAEoperatesthreefull-serviceshipyardsinDEMANDING SCHEDULECalifornia, Florida, and Virginia. Located twoYour business cant compromise when it comes to PHOTO COURTESY OF BAE SYSTEMSmiles from the Atlantic Ocean on the St. Johnsmaintaining a demanding schedule. Thats why River,theJacksonvillefacilityspecializesincustomers count on reliable John Deere PowerTech repair and refit work of cruise ships, offshoremarine engines. With high torque and low-rated rpm, John Deere engines deliver dependable power and vessels, research and government vessels, tugsquiet operation.and barges, and Coast Guard and Navy vessels.Full power range of marine engines 60 to 559 kw (80 to 750 hp)JohnDeere.com/Marine39 APRIL 2023'