b'NEWSWIREPVA Urges Senate Committee to Support Programs Bolstering Domestic ShipbuildingI nOctober,thePassengerVesselof U.S. passenger and other types offerrygrantprograms(thePassenger Associationsubmittedastate- vessels for the coastwise trades. Vessel Ferry Grant Program, the Ferry mentinstrongsupportofPVAServiceforRuralCommunitiesPro-membersandAmericassmallship- The Small Shipyard Grant Program,gram, and the Electric or No-Emitting yardswhentheSenateCommitteeadministered by the Maritime Admin- FerryPilotProgram)haveenabled onCommerce,Science,andTrans- istration, has been helpful in sustainingcommunitiesacrossthenationto portationsSubcommitteeonCoastthis network. By providing modest butbuildnewvesselsandterminalsthat Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries held astrategicinvestmentsinequipment,are modern, efficient, and fully com-hearing on shipbuilding. On Oct. 28,training,andinfrastructure,thepro- pliant with the Buy America Act.the subcommittee conducted a hear- gram has allowed small U.S. shipyards ingentitledSeaChange:Revivingtomodernizefacilities,improveeffi- The Federal Highway Administra-Commercial Shipbuilding to exam- ciency, and retain skilled workers. tionsFerryBoatProgram,which ine how to modernize and accelerateprovides formula funding to states for U.S.commercialshipbuildingwhileFerry Constructionferry construction and improvement, strengthening Americas broader mar- as a Force Multiplier remainsanotherkeyelementinsus-itimeindustrialbase.AlinktothatIn addition to shipyard grants, severaltaining small and mid-sized shipyards. hearing can be viewed here.federal programs directly support theManystatesrelyonthisconsistent constructionofU.S.-builtpassengersource of support to maintain vessel Read PVAs statement here. ferriesan essential link in Americasreplacementschedulesandensure maritime transportation network. Thesafe, reliable service for rural and is-Below are excerpts from PVAs state- Federal Transit Administrations threeland communities.ment to the committee:The Role of Small and Mid-Sized ShipyardsU.S.flaggedpassengervesselsare designed and built almost entirely inWe take the heat, smallandmedium-sizedU.S.ship- so you dont have to.yards,manyofthemfamily-ownedCool. Because you need it. We deliver cool based on businessesthatarevitaltoregionalyour reality. So no matter where you operate, hot days economiesandworkforcedevelop- and heavy loads will never slow you down. ment. Within the PVA membership, thereare39shipyardsin17states. These yards construct all types of pas-senger vessels that fly the U.S. flag and are eligible for coastwise service.GRIDCOOLERWEKA OmegaKeel Cooler Boxcooler Laser PlatePVAsupportstheJonesActand the Passenger Vessel Services Act. TheselawsensurethatAmericanfernstrum.com| 1.906.863.5553| sales@fernstrum.com shipyards can produce a steady streamISO 9001:2015 2023 R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All rights reserved. FERNSTRUM and GRIDCOOLER are registered trademarks of R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All other trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners.55 NOVEMBER 2025'