MADISON, Wisconsin: The U.S. Navy’s warship production has hit a 25-year low, plagued by labor shortages, design changes, and cost overruns, contributing to significant backlogs in shipbuilding and maintenance…..For More READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
This crisis comes when the Navy grapples with expanding global threats and falls behind China in the number of operational ships.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A severe labour shortage is at the heart of the issue, as shipyards struggle to hire and retain skilled workers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, which is contracted to build six guided-missile frigates, can only produce one frigate per year due to a lack of workforce.
“We’ve been dealing with inconsistent shipbuilding plans for years,” said Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, a national trade association. “When we finally start ramping up, the Navy is shocked that we lost members of our workforce.”
Many shipyards have resorted to creating training academies and partnering with technical colleges to equip workers with the necessary skills. However, filling the labor gap remains a challenge. Lucas Andreini, a welder at Marinette Marine who transitioned from making garbage truck parts, explained the hesitation of potential recruits: “Some of my buddies are held back by the stigma that shipbuilding is a ‘crappy work environment, and it’s unsafe.’ But that’s not the reality. It makes me happy to be able to do my part, and possibly make sure sailors and some of my friends in the service come home safely.”
The shortage is exacerbated by the retirement of experienced workers, leaving shipyards scrambling to replace decades of lost expertise. In response, the Navy has begun offering perks, including bonuses and improved working conditions, to attract and retain workers. “The workforce shortage is definitely a problem and it’s a problem across the board for all shipyards,” said Eric Dent, a spokesperson for Marinette Marine, noting that retention bonuses of up to $10,000 are now being offered.
The Navy’s own practices have compounded the issue. Frequent changes in ship design and requirements have led to cost overruns and delays. For example, the new frigates being built at Marinette Marine were supposed to incorporate only 15 percent new design elements, but the Navy ended up redesigning 85 percent of the ship, leading to increased costs and a three-year delay in delivery.
“The final design still isn’t completed,” noted Bryan Clark, an analyst at the Washington-based Hudson Institute. “The Navy’s role in defending our nation and promoting peace has never been more expansive or mattered more,” added Lt. Kyle Hanton, a spokesperson for Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s office.
In addition to these internal challenges, the Navy faces external pressures from shifting global threats. The need to adapt to emerging challenges, such as rising tensions with China and Russia, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and piracy, further complicates shipbuilding plans. “It’s taken us a long time to get into this problem, and it’s going to take a long time to get out,” said Eric Labs, a naval analyst at the Congressional Budget Office.
The consolidation of shipyards and inconsistent funding have also disrupted long-term planning and investment, making it difficult for the Navy to maintain a steady shipbuilding cadence. Despite these challenges, the Navy insists that it is working closely with industry partners to find solutions. “We continue to work with our industry partners to identify creative solutions to solving our common challenges,” said Hanton…..For More READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
