Fourth Multi-Purpose National Security Vessel Launched

Fourth Multi-Purpose National Security Vessel Launched

Hanwha Shipbuilding has launched the fourth of five new vessels under the Korea Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) National Security Vessel (NSMV) program. Measuring 525 feet 1 inch in length, 88 feet 7 inches in width and 21 feet 4 inches in length, these new vessels are specifically designed to serve as training vessels for the country’s National Maritime Academy.

The vessel, NSMV IV, which will be named “Lone Star State,” was launched on Saturday at Philadelphia Shipyard. Over the next few months, interior fit-out work on NSMV IV will be completed before sea trials and delivery to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas, later this year.

The first two NSMV-class ships, USS Empire State and USS Patriot State, are scheduled to be delivered to the State University of New York Maritime Academy in 2023 and Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2024, respectively.

Currently, interior fit-out work is underway on NSMV III, USS Maine, which is expected to be delivered to the Maine Maritime Academy this year. NSMV V Golden State is currently under construction on land and is scheduled for delivery to the California Maritime Academy in 2026.

Each ship in the series is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system with a total installed power of 16,800 kW, plus a 900 kW emergency generator. Maximum speed is 18 knots.

Each Navy ship is designed with multiple teaching spaces, a full training bridge and accommodations for up to 600 cadets to train in an at-sea Naval Academy environment.

In addition, each ship is equipped with hospital facilities, a helipad, and can accommodate up to 1,000 personnel when humanitarian assistance is needed. The NSMV can also provide container handling and storage capabilities for use during disaster relief missions.

The NSMV shipbuilding project is the first in the United States to use the Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model. This approach delegates the responsibility for selecting and overseeing the shipyard to a government contractor and adopts best business practices for project management.

In 2019, Marad awarded TOTE Services a contract to serve as VCM for the NSMV program. In 2020, Philadelphia Shipyard was contracted to build the first two vessels. The next two are scheduled to enter service in 2021, with the fifth and final aircraft scheduled to enter service in 2022.