John Witte Jr., president of Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair’s parent company, said he’s heard about Gem City Shipbuilding, a proposed facility that could build Navy ships in Erie.
From Witte’s perspective, “Gem City is a concept, an idea,” one that could take years to develop if it gets funding, approval and traction.
Witte, president of Donjon Marine, said he’s part of an alliance of three shipbuilding companies ready to compete for a government contract now.
Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair employee Jim Simmons cuts steel at the Erie facility.
Along with Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin and Fincantieri Marine Group, which operates three Great Lakes shipyards, Donjon has announced its intention to compete for a contract to build a new Homeland Security Cutter.
According to an April 2 announcement, the shipyards, “have established a collaborative framework to bring new shipbuilding programs and technology to the ‘Fourth Coast’ in keeping with President Trump’s and his administration’s efforts to rapidly increase domestic shipbuilding.”
The government has set an April 10 deadline to submit a request for information to fill an order for between five and seven light icebreakers.
Fincantieri Marine Group CEO George Moutafis said the alliance is open to other Great Lakes shipbuilding companies.
“Our initial goal is to provide the Coast Guard with a ready-to-build solution for its seven new light icebreakers, and we welcome others to join us on this and other potential projects,” he said in a statement.
Donjon’s leader thinks alliance has a chance
Witte doesn’t see this as a shot in the dark.
Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair is located at 220 E Bayfront Parkway.
“I don’t normally try to waste time if we don’t think it’s doable,” he said.
He said his confidence “is based on our experience, the partners that we have joined in with and the fact that we have done a lot of new builds.”
If the group of Great Lakes shipbuilders win the contract, Witte said each shipyard would build one or more of the cutters.
Why wouldn’t one company take on all the work?
“We all have commercial customers and work very hard to keep them,” Witte said, adding that a large government contract would limit their capacity to do that work.
By some accounts, the proposal calls for building 65-foot vessels that could be used for patrol and light ice-breaking duties. Specifications are likely to change during the bidding process, Witte said.
Built in Erie: Donjon has been building ships and a reputation in Erie
There are no guarantees, but Witte said he feels good about plans to pursue the contract.
“I think we have as good of a shot as anyone,” he said. “We understand the market and all three yards are certainly hungry. We have a common interest and we think we can be more as a group.”
More: Crawford County company sees growth with role in new assault aircraft
Donjon, which is owned by New Jersey-based Donjon Marine Co., leases the shipyard from the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.
Donjon Marine formed the Erie division in 2009 before moving into the shipyard a year later.
In addition to a steady flow of repairs, Donjon has built numerous vessels at the Erie shipyard. Some of the more notable ones include the 129-foot tugboat Ken Booth Sr. and its articulated barge, Lakes Contender.
Donjon’s biggest project was a 580-foot chemical and petroleum barge completed in 2016.
Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.
.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie’s Donjon Shipbuilding joins forces to win Coast Guard conract