Rep. Scott Peters has introduced a bill that would stimulate the repair of Navy vessels at private shipyards on the West Coast.
The Smart Ship Repair Act, introduced in the House on Monday, would limit the Navy’s use of government docks when space is available at private shipyards. It covers only ships that are not nuclear powered.
“San Diego is home to a vibrant ship repair industry that supports the Navy’s force posture in the Asia-Pacific,” said Peters. “This bill will further strengthen the San Diego-Navy partnership and ensure San Diego’s ship repair industry remains a leading national security partner as our country prepares for the threats of the future.”
Major San Diego shipyards operated by NASSCO, BAE Systems and Austal USA would all benefit from the measure.
Peters said current practices are a disincentive to private-sector investment in the ship repair market and threaten the labor force needed to support the Navy’s future fleet goals.
“On behalf of over 3,300 NASSCO San Diego employees, we thank Congressman Peters for his introduction of the Smart Ship Repair Act of 2023,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.
BAE and Austal also expressed appreciation for Peters’ measure, with Austal’s Lawrence Ryder saying the bill addresses “the need for a stable and healthy defense ship repair industrial base.”
