Marking the start of a new era in US maritime education, TOTE Services, LLC and Philly Shipyard, Inc. recently cut steel for the first National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) at Philly Shipyard. View the steel cutting ceremony here.

The purpose-built, state-of-the-art diesel electric NSMVs are being built to provide world-class training at America’s state maritime academies and will also will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

The US Congress has approved $390 million to fund construction of a fourth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), which will be assigned to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

The new NSMV is the fourth in a series of five, with the State University of New York Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and Maine Maritime Academy receiving the first three. Philly Shipyard holds the contract for the five-ship deal.