by Jackie Tammaro
July 27, 2026
The Navy Yard celebrated another exciting milestone in Philadelphia’s shipbuilding legacy as Hanwha Philly Shipyard christened the Lone Star State. The Lone Star State is the fourth vessel in the U.S. Maritime Administration’s five-vessel National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program. Following the successful delivery of the program’s first three vessels, the Lone Star State is expected to be delivered in the coming months, with the fifth and final ship scheduled for completion in 2027.
Once delivered, the Lone Star State will serve Texas A&M Maritime Academy, providing hands-on training for future mariners while also supporting humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and other national service missions.
The ceremony on July 17 brought together leaders from government, industry, and maritime education to celebrate the vessel and the skilled workforce behind its construction. Among those in attendance were Hanwha Philly Shipyard CEO David Kim, TOTE Services President Jeff Dixon, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, and ship sponsor Rachel Campos-Duffy, who carried out the traditional bottle-breaking ceremony to officially christen the vessel.
The celebration also marked an important announcement for the future of shipbuilding in Philadelphia. During the ceremony, Hanwha Philly Shipyard and TOTE Services announced they have been selected to deliver the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s new Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIV). TOTE Services will serve as Vessel Construction Manager, while Hanwha Philly Shipyard will construct the vessels in Philadelphia.
The new program builds on the proven success of the NSMV program, carrying forward the same production line, skilled workforce, and strong public-private partnerships that have made the program a success. Together, the christening of the Lone Star State and the announcement of the MRIV program highlight the continued strength of shipbuilding at the Navy Yard and the role Philadelphia continues to play in supporting the nation’s maritime future.
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