U.S. Merchant Marine Training Ship Empire State (courtesy MARAD)

The era of dedicated merchant marine/navy cadet training ships has long since gone the way of the Dodo bird in most countries, however in the case of the United States, the tradition survives. The new build training ship Empire State was last month delivered to the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) by Philly Shipyard and TOTE Services, which is overseeing the program of constructing five new training ships to be distributed across the country. Empire State has been assigned to the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College which has a 150 year history in the training of future U.S. mariners.

Built by Philly Shipyard (formerly Aker Philadelphia Shipyard)

Construction Manager, TOTE Services

Owned by U.S. Maritime Administration

Operated by State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College

LOA 160m

Beam 27m

DWT 8,487 MT

Propulsion 9,000 kW single screw

Speed 18 knots

Capacity for 600 cadets plus 100 officers & crew

Cost US$315 million

 

The eventual fleet of five vessels are classified as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). In addition to routine training, they are designed to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. Design features include a helicopter pad, a ro-ro ramp and a cargo handling crane also suited to container handling. Internally, there are hospital facilities and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in case of humanitarian need.

 

The new vessel replaces a vessel built in 1962 as a traditional general cargo ship and carrying the same name. She has been serving as the SUNY training ship since 1989 and completed her final 75 day voyage this summer.

 

Previous Empire State built in 1962, courtesy SUNY

 

Future vessel delivery and deployment planning is as follows:

Vessel No.2: Patriot State, delivery in 2024 to Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Vessel No.3: Maine maritime Academy

Vessel No.4: Texas A&M Maritime Academy

Vessel No.5: California Maritime Academy (delivery in 2026)