MARINETTE, Wis. - Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro got a first-hand look at the production facilities at Fincantieri Marinette Marine on April 14, where it is building at least two ships of the new Constellation Class Frigate and contracted for four more Littoral Combat Ships. “Fincantieri is doing everything they can to make sure they stay on schedule and on cost” as it looks ahead to the two frigates, Del Toro said. One of the most needed items for all Navy shipbuilding programs – including HII-Pascagoula and Austal USA on the Gulf Coast - is people, he remarked. Not just shipyard workers, but supply-chain companies are struggling to find the right labor, he said. Some of those companies have been “very creative” in finding labor workers to try and help with all construction projects. Marinette Marine is expecting to add several hundred people as the frigate program ramps up and that could mean work for up to two decades, Marinette Marine’s CEO proclaimed. SECNAV said workforce issues haven’t caused issues in terms of the Navy’s readiness. “It actually has had an impact on repair work that’s been taking place at both public and private shipyards,” he said. Congress is helping the Navy overcome some of those issues, said Del Toro. (Source: SpectrumNews1 04/14/22) Shipyards hang out the 'help wanted' sign (spectrumnews1.com)
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