PHILADELPHIA (July 17, 2026) — TOTE Services, LLC, Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Texas A&M Maritime Academy and the U.S. Maritime Administration today christened the fourth of five National Security Multi-Mission vessels (NSMVs), Lone Star State.
Wife of U.S. Transportation Secretary and FOX News Host, Rachel Campos-Duffy, served as the ship’s sponsor, which is a special designation that bestows the official name of the vessel and smashes a ceremonial bottle of champagne as the “Godmother” of the vessel.
The Lone Star State will serve as the primary training vessel for the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, preparing hundreds of cadets each year for careers in the U.S. Merchant Marine while ensuring they are ready to support federal humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions when called upon. The christening marks the vessel’s completion ahead of its delivery to the Academy this fall and represents an important step in addressing the nation’s shortage of qualified mariners needed to crew both government- and commercial-owned sealift vessels.
The NSMV program’s Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model reduces government acquisition cost by at least 50% compared to traditional strategies. By defining requirements up front, approving change orders quickly, and reducing oversight burdens, the VCM approach speeds delivery of mission-ready ships while empowering the shipyard to do what it does best – build ships. These efficiencies will also enable Hanwha Philly Shipyard to open a second drydock, doubling its capacity to serve government and commercial customers.
Federal and state dignitaries praised the NSMV program and the christening of the Lone Star State:
“This is a remarkable project with Hanwha and TOTE. That these ships are being delivered on time and on budget is a feat that should not go unnoticed,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “ And I want to thank you both for making sure that happened.”
“Shipbuilding is one of our most pressing national security and industrial challenges,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05). “I’ve been honored to partner with Hanwha Philly Shipyard in breathing new life into the shipyard, creating new job opportunities, and delivering quality investments in Philadelphia’s shipbuilding future.”
“The Lone Star State is a win for everyone, made possible by the dedicated team at Hanwha Philly Shipyard,” said Jeff Dixon, President of TOTE Services. “She will train the next generation of American mariners for decades. This program demonstrates that when the government sets clear requirements and trusts industry, we deliver results faster. This is the future of American shipbuilding.”
“Today’s christening of the Lone Star State reflects what can be achieved through strong partnerships, a highly skilled American workforce, and a shared commitment to strengthening our nation’s maritime capabilities,” said David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc. “At Hanwha Philly Shipyard, we are honored to build vessels that will educate future merchant mariners, support humanitarian and disaster response missions, and contribute to America’s long-term maritime readiness. Every milestone is a testament to the dedication of our employees and the collaboration among our government, industry, and academic partners.”
“As our first purpose-built training ship, the Lone Star State will provide world-class learning experiences in support of the mission of Texas A&M University Maritime Academy,” said Col. Michael E. Fossum, ’80, vice president of Texas A&M University, chief operating officer of the Galveston campus, and superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. “Bringing this ship home to Galveston will allow our cadets to train on a state-of-the-art vessel as they work towards filling critical roles in the maritime industry. It is a real gamechanger. T/S Lone Star State stands watch as a powerful reflection of what’s possible through strong partnerships and shared vision.”
The Lone Star State is among the largest and most technologically advanced training vessels ever operated by a state maritime academy. Equipped with two full-sized, fully operational bridges and engine rooms, it provides cadets with immersive, hands-on training in real-world maritime operations. Following the christening ceremony, the vessel will be delivered to Texas A&M Maritime Academy, where it will begin preparing the next generation of U.S. Merchant Marine officers.
#
About the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Program:
The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) NSMV program is designed to provide a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training platform for the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, and California, respectively.
This next-generation training fleet will address a critical shortage of qualified officers necessary to crew government and commercial-owned sealift ships. In addition to providing world-class training for America’s future mariners, the NSMVs will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.
The NSMV will feature numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and have space for up to 600 cadets to train in a first-rate maritime academic environment at sea. State maritime academies graduate more than half of all new officers each year—the merchant mariners who help keep cargoes and our economy moving. Many also support U.S. national security by crewing government sealift vessels.
In addition to being a state-of-the-art training and educational platform, each ship will feature modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad, and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Adding to the NSMV’s capability, it will provide needed roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief missions.
Vessel specifications:
– Length: 159.85 m
– Breadth: 27.00 m
– Draft, scantling: 7.50 m
– Total berthing: 760 people
– Speed: 18 kts
– Deadweight: 8,487 MT
#
About TOTE Services
TOTE Services is a U.S.-based maritime company providing ship management and vessel construction services for government and commercial customers. As the nation’s leading Vessel Construction Manager (VCM), TOTE Services delivers mission-ready vessels with schedule and budget certainty. The company also manages a fleet of more than 30 ships and provides turnkey technical, safety, crewing, and operational solutions.
TOTE Services, together with TOTE Maritime Alaska, TOTE Logistics, and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, is part of the TOTE Group, a member of the Saltchuk family of companies. www.toteservices.com
About Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc. is a leading U.S. shipbuilder with a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility that has earned a reputation as a preferred provider of ocean-going merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships, having delivered around 50% of all large ocean-going U.S. Jones Act commercial ships since 2000.
The shipyard is part of Hanwha Group, a multinational company with a robust network of affiliates in the energy, ocean, aerospace, finance, and retail & services industries.
For more information, visit www.hanwhaphillyshipyard.com.
About Texas A&M Maritime Academy
Founded in 1962, The Texas A&M Maritime Academy is one of six maritime academies in the United States and the only academy located on the Gulf Coast. It provides an opportunity for cadets to learn how to operate and maintain an ocean-going vessel. In addition to classroom and field training during the regular school year, cadets sail aboard a state training ship during three summer sea terms to gain practical experience in seamanship, navigation, and engineering operations. At the conclusion of the program, license option cadets complete exams to become U.S. Coast Guard licensed deck or engineering officers in the Merchant Marine and may seek employment in the exciting field of marine transportation. For more information, visit https://www.tamug.edu/corps/index.html.
