News & Insights

The new year is off to a great start and the outlook for the Jacksonville region is bright with the recent announcement from Fincantieri Marine Systems North America (FMSNA) made only days into 2022. The subsidiary, part of the world’s largest shipbuilding organization, Fincantieri Group, will bring 300 new advanced manufacturing jobs and a $39 million capital investment in the region.

FMSNA, offers products and services to the U.S. Department of Defense for use in homeland security and for commercial business. The focus of the Jacksonville facility will be the repair and maintenance delivery orders on the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) currently homeported in the region’s Naval Station Mayport and commercial ships.

“We are investing millions of dollars in waterfront improvements, including bringing in a large dry dock, which will allow us to be a top-tier marine repair operation,” said Ryan Smith, FMSNA’s president and CEO. “The dry dock will be U.S. Navy-certified, which will enable us to repair and maintain Navy vessels in addition to our work on commercial and Coast Guard vessels.”

The new jobs include positions in pipefitting, ship fitting, welding, electrical, outfitting, preservation and mechanical specializations. Beginning early this year, FMSNA’s will open to provide services to small to medium-sized commercial vessels at their Commodores Point facility in downtown Jacksonville’s waterfront. Although the large dry dock will not be operational until 2023, FMSNA will be able for top-side work on larger vessels pier side.