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National Security Multi-Mission Vessel STATE OF MAINE

The NSMV State of Maine is complete and preparing to make its journey to Maine Maritime Academy—marking a historic milestone for the institution and the future of maritime training. As anticipation builds for its arrival, a series of upcoming events will celebrate this next chapter and offer opportunities to engage with this state-of-the-art training vessel.

The $330 million NSMV State of Maine is the third of five commissioned by the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) being built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard with construction management by TOTE Services.

State of Maine, a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training vessel, will revolutionize the educational experience cadets receive as a part of the Academy’s unlimited license program. The vessel is equipped with a dedicated training bridge and navigation lab, two full-sized engine rooms, eight classrooms, laboratory space, an auditorium, and a helipad. Cadet capacity on State of Maine is increasing from 245 to 600.

On August 26, 2025, the vessel was christened during a ceremony with speakers including President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, U.S. Senator Todd Young of Indiana, U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, and Acting Maritime Administrator Sang H. Li. Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao served as the ship’s sponsor.

All five NSMVs, part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet, will be equipped to respond to and support major federal relief efforts in response to natural disasters. The NSMVs will be able to provide hospital facilities, helicopter landing capabilities, a roll-on/roll-off ramp, container storage space, and berthing for up to 1,000 people.

The NSMV is an important asset for the Academy, Castine, and the country. The NSMV is owned by MARAD and jointly operated by MARAD and Maine Maritime Academy. It is an advanced training vessel that will ensure MMA students receive the highest quality, hands-on educational opportunities available anywhere in the world. In addition to being an educational platform, the NSMV is a federal asset capable of responding to humanitarian disasters with the ability to provide emergency services.

The NSMV will be equipped with:

  • Berthing for up to 1,000 people
  • Hospital facilities
  • Water desalination capabilities
  • A helicopter pad
  • Training spaces, including eight classrooms, a full training bridge, workshops, lab spaces and an auditorium
  • Thrusters and a flap-type rudder to allow the ship to moor without tugs
  • Roll-on/roll-off and container storage, with a cargo crane and side ramp for self-loading

MasterGordon “Mac” MacArthur
Chief EngineerAaron Coy
Chief MateMatthew Hofer
1st Assistant EngineerNathan Boyan
2nd MateH.W. "Bill" Erlanson
2nd Assistant EngineerTyler Bowen
2nd Assistant EngineerVacant
3rd MateMeagan Doucette
3rd MateJose Valdez
3rd Assistant EngineerAntonio Bartalini
Bos'nMatthew Logan
Logistics CoordinatorWanda Wood
PlumberMatthew Basile
ElectricianVacant

OwnerU.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
OperatorMaine Maritime Academy
Call SignWDU2012
IMO Number9929546
Length Overall (LOA)160.05m
Length Between Perpendiculars (LBP)154.00m
Beam27.00m
Depth (Main Deck at Side)16.8m
Summer Load-line Draft7.35m
Load Line Displacement19,585mt
TonnagesGross - 25,985 Net-7,795
Design Speed (15% Reserve)18 Knots

Machinery ComponentManufacturer (Power)Quantity Installed
Main Diesel GeneratorsGE Wabtec4
Main AlternatorsHyundai (4.05 mW 6,600 V)4
Propulsion MotorsGE Energy (4.35 mW)2
Bow ThrusterKawasaki – Rexpeller1
Stern ThrusterHyundai1
Main PropellorDia: 5.85m
Pitch: 5.43m
Weight: 18.3 mt		1
Total Installed Power16,800 kW – 22,520 hp

Cadets600
Crew, Faculty, Staff160 (100 in single berths)
Maximum personnel760
Fresh (Potable) Water1323.7 m³
Fuel (Marine Gas Oil)2166.8 m³
Seawater Ballast3551.2 m³

Ship tours are being planned for prospective students, their families, and alumni during Summer Sea Term port calls.

Summer Sea Term port call dates:

  • May 22 | Galveston, Texas
  • June 5 | Charleston, South Carolina
  • June 24 | Port Everglades, Florida

Registration links and additional information coming soon.

Press Inquiries should be directed to Michael Dickerson at michael.dickerson@mma.edu.

To berth the vessel, the Academy is building a new pier as a part of a larger $100+ million waterfront improvement project underway with its contractors Reed & Reed, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., and Colliers Engineering. The new pier, constructed of 354 twenty-four inch diameter steel pilings, will replace the old timber pile pier built in the 1960s, reinforced in the 1990s. The new pier will more than double the available dock space from 500 linear feet to over 1,100 linear feet.

Completion of the first phase of the project, at which point State of Maine will be able to be tied to the pier, is expected by in the summer of 2026. The next phase of construction, working inward toward the shore, is expected to conclude in 2027.

Please email michael.dickerson@mma.edu for additional information.