
The capacity for HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (pictured here) will be expanded with the acquisition of a new facility in Charleston, South Carolina. (Janes/Michael Fabey)
HII took another step towards its goal of augmenting its shipbuilding capacity by officially closing on its acquisition of W International's metal fabrication facility and assets, and has begun work at its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Charleston Operations site in South Carolina, HII officials confirmed on 27 January.
The facility specialises in manufacturing shipbuilding structures, modules, and assemblies, according to HII.
HII detailed its intent to acquire the facility and associated assets in December 2024 to support the construction of nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for US Navy (USN) programmes.
Since the announcement, more than 99% of the legacy workforce has accepted offers to continue to work on site, HII said in a statement on 27 January acknowledging the closing of the deal.
To better meet shipbuilding demand, HII is willing to move towards labour while it also looks to attract a more experienced workforce to its existing yards, Chris Kastner, HII president and CEO, said on 9 January at a media roundtable in advance of the Surface Navy Association National Symposium 2025 held from 14 to 16 January.
“We're going to where the labour is,” Kastner said. “We're expanding the radius or diameter on which we build ships,” he added.
He said, “Texas, Louisiana, Norfolk – we're going to where the labour is. It is more expensive and we still have strict manufacturing standards to adhere to.”
HII noted the Charleston site provides other shipbuilding benefits.
The site has “advanced production facilities with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, tooling, and infrastructure used to fabricate complex metal modules and structures”, HII said.
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