EVERETT—Fincantieri Marine Repair (FMR), a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest shipbuilding companies, is expanding its presence to the Port of Everett this spring, marking its first location in Washington state to support U.S. Navy assets.
On March 12, the Port of Everett Commission unanimously approved a new one-year lease to establish an FMR office at the Port’s Marina Village at Waterfront Place.
The company is part of the Fincantieri group’s network featuring 18 shipyards located on four continents providing vessel construction, repair and maintenance services around the world.
“We are pleased to become part of this community, and we look forward to growing our presence so that we can help our most important customer, the U.S. Navy,” said Shawn Johnston, FMR’s Vice President of Government Affairs and Growth. “Fincantieri is a natural fit to provide sustainment services for the Constellation-class frigates, many of which will be homeported in Everett in the years to come.”
The U.S. Navy plans to homeport up to 12 new Constellation-class guided-missile frigates at Naval Station Everett, adjacent to the Port of Everett’s international Seaport. The FMR office at the Port of Everett will provide post-delivery support and crew training for these frigates.
A partner of the Navy, Fincantieri was awarded a $795 million contract in 2020 to build a Constellation-class frigate with options for up to nine additional vessels. So far the Navy has utilized three of the options for more vessels from Fincantieri’s American arm.
The delivery of Fincantieri’s first Constellation-class frigate, the future USS Constellation, is expected in 2028.
“We value the strong partnership we have with Naval Station Everett and strive to be a good neighbor and fierce advocate of the U.S. Navy,” Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber said. “A new Fincantieri support center in Everett is the start of a strong economic opportunity for the base. Naval Station Everett is the second largest job creator in Snohomish County, so the Port has been investing heavily to further support trade, jobs and national defense.”
The Port of Everett is one of the only 18 Strategic Commercial Seaports nationwide – five of which are positioned along the U.S. West Coast. With this designation, the Port is committed to maintaining readiness of its critical maritime facilities to meet national defense needs.
This news follows a recent visit from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to Naval Station Everett, where he witnessed the base’s work to improve training, readiness and modernization of the Navy’s fleet.
SOURCE: Port of Everett press release
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
