On Friday, May 8, on a crisp morning under cloudless blue skies, State of Maine cast lines from the Maine State Pier in Portland for the vessel’s inaugural summer sea term. It was a historic day for the Academy and the culmination of the effort of thousands of people over more than 10 years.

State of Maine is a world-class, purpose-built training vessel, the construction of which was funded by the federal government. The vessel will serve as the Academy’s training ship as well as respond to humanitarian crises associated with environmental disasters. The ship will revolutionize the Academy’s hands-on, at-sea training capabilities both in terms of quality and quantity.

Left: 1/C Odegaard Fields ’26 introduces the Honorable Elaine Chao. Right: Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao delivers remarks.

With two full-sized navigation bridges and two separate engine rooms, all fully functional, State of Maine is the first purpose-built training vessel operated by the Academy. The vessel has four Wabtec V250MDC Tier 4 engines driving Hyundai 3P-6.6KV-660 Hz alternators that supply 26,000 horsepower [verify] in a diesel electric configuration that is widespread throughout the industry today.

State of Maine will increase the Academy’s training capacity from 240 to 600 students, a significant expansion with great potential for international cooperation, as I argue in the article “The Growing Opportunity for International Collaboration,” in this issue of Mariner.

State of Maine was built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, on the site of the historic Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the origins of which extend to 1776. During World War II, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard employed more than 40,000 workers to build and repair ships.

Right: Trustee Miles Theeman greets the Honorable Elaine Chao. Left: The Honorable Elaine Chao and the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

Today, Hanwha Philly Shipyard has under 2,000 workers with a goal to increase its staff to 10,000. Hanwha Group, a South Korean conglomerate, acquired Philly Shipyard in December 2024 for $100M. Hanwha Group has stated plans to invest $5B in the shipyard, as announced by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the State of Maine naming ceremony on August 26, 2025.

After the naming ceremony, the ship incurred mechanical malfunctions associated with the stern tube bearings and propulsions shaft during propulsion testing. These issues were subsequently repaired during a drydocking in January and February 2026 and the vessel successfully completed sea trials later that month.

Left: President Craig Johnson, the Honorable Elaine Chao, and Senator Susan Collins arrive at the signing ceremony.
Right: State of Maine Master, Captain Gordon “Mac” MacArthur and his wife, Maine Maritime Academy Commercial Shipping Coordinator Kathryn MacArthur.

After taking delivery of the vessel in February, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) transferred operational control of State of Maine to Maine Maritime Academy during a formal signing ceremony on March 30, 2026 at Portland Ocean Gateway.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Maine Maritime Academy to deliver the State of Maine. Together, MARAD and MMA are transforming maritime education and ensuring our nation remains ready and resilient.”
MARAD Administrator Stephen Carmel

Speakers at the event included Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the 18th Secretary of Transportation and 24th Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Senator Susan Collins, Hanwha Philly Shipyard CEO David Kim, Deputy Maritime Administrator Sang H. Yi, and President Craig Johnson, while current Regimental Commander Claire McDonald ’27 and former Regimental Commander Odegaard Fields ’26 delivered introductions.

Maine Maritime Academy President Craig Johnson and Deputy Maritime Administrator Sang H. Yi shake hands after signing the documents.

“Maine Maritime Academy is internationally recognized as a leader in maritime education, and this vessel represents a major step forward in our mission to train the world’s finest mariners,” said President Craig Johnson.

“As our first purpose-built training ship, State of Maine will provide world-class learning experiences for our students and is a powerful reflection of what is possible through strong partnerships and shared vision.”

Left to right: 4/C Troy Piltch, 3/C Austin Dorner, 2/C Aiden Clark, 1/C Hailey Fardon, 4/C Patrick Clements-Dolan, 2/C Bethany Ives, 2/C Alexander Powers, 2/C Claire MacDonald, 4/C Matthew Tita, 1/C Margaret Archibald,
1/C Odegaard Fields, the Honorable Elaine Chao, Senator Susan Collins, Maine Maritime Academy President Craig Johnson, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Maritime Administration Deputy Administrator Sang H. Yi, Senator Angus King, 1/C William Sherrill, 1/C Padric McGrath, 1/C Jacob Lalumandier, 4/C Ethan Matthews,
4/C Matilda Gerring, 4/C Skye Johnson, 1/C Alexander Banning, 3/C Caleb Boyle, and President William Brennan.

MARAD Administrator Stephen Carmel stated that “We are incredibly proud to partner with Maine Maritime Academy to deliver the State of Maine. Together, MARAD and MMA are transforming maritime education and ensuring our nation remains ready
and resilient.”

Former Maine Maritime Academy President William Brennan was an early champion of the NSMV program, serving as Chairman of the Consortium of State Maritime Academies. During her remarks at the transfer ceremony, Senator Collins recounted that it was a visit aboard State of Maine (USNS Tanner) with President Brennan where she was shown cracks in the engine room walls that struck her as “kind of dangerous” and convinced her that a new ship was needed.

Trustee Miles Theeman, Maine Maritime Academy Board Chair Wayne Norton ’86, Trustee John Webb ’83, and President Craig Johnson.

Senator Collins has been a crucial advocate for the NSMV program. Secretary Chao credited Senator Collins in her “very powerful” role as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee for Transportation for her “vital leadership” making the NSMV program possible.

More recently, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins secured $2.8M in Congressionally Directed Spending in the FY2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The funds will be used to outfit the ship’s simulation laboratory.

The NSMV program will eventually provide purpose-built training ships of the same design to five of the six State Maritime Academies. Maine Maritime Academy is the third institution to receive its vessel after SUNY Maritime College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The fourth and fifth will go to Texas A&M Maritime Academy and Cal Poly Maritime Academy, respectively.

That State of Maine would be ready to sail on schedule for the summer 2026 cruise was uncertain right up to the time of delivery. Navigating the logistical challenges associated with the last couple of years of construction grew increasingly complicated. However, President Johnson’s nimble and steadfast leadership proved to be adaptive and effective. While President Johnson led from Leavitt Hall, Captain Gordon “Mac” MacArthur ’00, Aaron “Tuggie” Coy ’98, and their crew led the effort on the ground in Philadelphia. Their work and that of their staff was essential to be able to have a successful summer sea term aboard State of Maine this year.

On July 12, when the ship returns from cruise, State of Maine is expected to tie lines to the new pier in Castine for the first time. Building in toward the shore in three phases of construction, the first phase of the $105M pier is expected to be completed shortly before the vessel arrives. The second and third phases of construction will be completed in the spring of 2027. The new pier will more than double linear dock space from 500 to 1,100 feet.█

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