MARINETTE, Wis (NBC 26) -- The Navy is considering decommissioning a handful of their littoral combat ships, ships that were built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in northeast Wisconsin for more than a decade. But, on the heels of that news a massive new ship building project could be just around the corner.
On Saturday in Marinette, the newest littoral combat ship was christened. Fincantieri Marinette Marine leaders say they plan on building additional littoral ships, for the next seven years. But following 2027, leaders at Fincanteri say they are hoping to be focused on a new combat ship project.
Today Rick Hunt, the president of Fincantieri told NBC26 that they have submitted a competitive proposal to the Navy to build frigate warships for the country's future fleet. We’re told that those ships would be twice as large as the littoral ships they currently build and they would also require as many as 6-thousand additional workers to be hired at the shipbuilding plant. Today Congressman Mike Gallagher shared his optimism regarding Marinette, getting the contract.
"I think we're in a really good position. You can't take anything for granted, but this would be huge. It would be huge for the Navy, huge for northeast Wisconsin," said Gallagher.
Right now Fincantieri leaders say their proposal is being considered in Washington. They add that they should know whether or not they are awarded the contract by June of 2020 at the latest.
