Maine Maritime Academy’s new training vessel arrived at the Port of Portland on Saturday, with its formal transfer ceremony scheduled for March 30.
The $330 million ship, named “State of Maine,” is a National Security Multi-Mission Vessel built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia.
At the transfer ceremony, the U.S. Maritime Administration will officially transfer operations to the academy.
It replaces a vessel by the same name that the academy has used to train its students since 1997. The new ship more than doubles capacity for students on board.
It’s also Maine Maritime’s first purpose-built training ship and its largest and most sophisticated to date, featuring two full-sized bridges and engine rooms. In addition to training future mariners, it will support federal humanitarian relief efforts.
The ship was delivered a few months later than expected after issues were uncovered during its testing phase.
The ship won’t immediately arrive in Castine, as Maine Maritime Academy is also working on a multi-year, $100 million-plus waterfront project, including construction of a new steel piling pier to accommodate the new, longer ship. The new pier will be more than double the dock space.