The 20-year contract is for the development of 25 next-generation offshore patrol cutters for the Coast Guard.
“This is a huge deal, not just for Eastern Shipbuilding, but for
Eastern is one of eight shipyards that submitted proposals for the project and will be competing with finalists in
As a finalist, Eastern was awarded roughly $22 million to design a prototype for the vessel, which must be submitted to the Coast Guard in the next year and a half.
“Each shipyard proposed a different vessel and this award of $22 million will be put toward us completing a detailed design and submitting a final price,” D’Isernia said. “The final award to the ultimate winner will be based on a combination of design of the vessel and cost.”
D’Isernia said the finalists were chosen based on a conceptual design and proposal submitted to the Coast Guard, which represented more than three years of work.
If awarded the project, D’Isernia said it would add between 750 and 800 employees to Eastern’s team of 1,500, and also indirectly create many jobs for the area.
“With the multiplying effect in the area, that’s easily 2,000 to 2,500 jobs,” said D’Isernia, who noted the contract is the largest the company has ever bid on.
If Eastern were awarded the contract, D’Isernia said it could also lead to facility expansion at one or both of the Panama City shipyards, depending on the company’s other workload.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said in a press release Wednesday that he was confident in Eastern’s capabilities in developing the vessels.
“I think Eastern makes a lot of sense given its facilities, capabilities of its workforce and solid track record in this industry,” said Nelson, a senior member of the Senate's Armed Services Committee and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Coast Guard.
U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland,
“Should Eastern Shipbuilding win this contract, it will provide a tremendous boost to
When asked if he had any concerns about finding enough skilled workers if Eastern wins the project, D’Isernia said he was confident in the company’s capabilities.
“We’ve managed, through hiring and training, to gainfully employ 1,500 skilled people and we think we could cover this project as we’ve done in the past,” D’Isernia said. “We’re going to work like heck for a year and a half, and hope to win (the project).”
An earlier version of this story appears below:
PANAMA CITY — Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc. has been named one of three finalists competing for a $10.5 billion Coast Guard contract, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland's office announced Thursday.
The contract is for the Coast Guard's next generation of offshore patrol cutters. Eastern Shipbuilding, which has facilities in Panama City and Allanton, was awarded more than $21 million to design its prototype for the new vessel, according to a news release from Southerland's office.
"As one of America’s leading innovators in maritime construction, Eastern Shipbuilding Group is well positioned to deliver the cutting edge, technologically-advanced vessels the Coast Guard is seeking,” Southerland, R-Panama City, said in the release. “Should Eastern Shipbuilding win this contract, it will provide a tremendous boost to Northwest Florida’s economy and bring hundreds of well-paying, highly-skilled construction jobs to our community.”
Eastern is competing with shipyards in Lockport, La., and Bath, Maine, for the final Coast Guard contract.
More information was expected to be released later Thursday.
Check back for updates