The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry, recently honored 18 shipyards across the nation for their achievements in safety at the 2024 SCA Safety Awards Ceremony.
Matt Paxton, Adams and Reese DC Partner in Charge and member of the Global Trade, Transportation and Logistics Team, serves as SCA President. Adams and Reese Government Affairs Advisor Davis Gaddy also attended the ceremony to honor the recipients.
“Safety isn’t just a priority; it’s a fundamental pillar of our industrial base. These awards not only recognize excellence in safety practices but also show our industry’s dedication to ensuring every worker returns home safely each day,” said Paxton. “Our continued focus on safety not only protects our most valuable asset — our people — but also fortifies the foundation of our nation’s maritime capabilities.”
Every year, SCA recognizes member facilities that exceed expectations in maintaining the highest safety standards and enhancing safety protocols across their organizations. The shipbuilding industry continues to improve on safety metrics year after year, and this commitment to safety has allowed U.S. shipyards to adapt and address the obstacles that arose throughout the year while continuing operations.
The following shipyards and repair facilities were recognized for their safety practices:
Award for “Significance in Safety”
- Fincantieri Ace Marine (Green Bay, Wis.)
- Southwest Shipyard L.P. (Channelview, Texas)
Award for “Excellence in Safety”
- Alabama Shipyard (Mobile, Ala.)
- Austal USA (Mobile, Ala.)
- BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair (Norfolk, Va.)
- BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair (Jacksonville, Fla.)
- BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (San Diego, Calif.)
- Bollinger Shipyards (Lockport, La.)
- Conrad Shipyard (Morgan City, La.)
- Fincantieri Marinette Marine (Marinette, Wis.)
- MHI Ship Repair & Services (Hampton Roads, Va.)
- Metal Shark Boats (Jeanerette, La.)
- Pacific Shipyards International (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- Southwest Shipyard L.P. (Channelview, Texas)
- Vigor Alaska (Ketchikan, Alaska)
- Vigor Swan Island (Portland, Ore.)
- Vigor Vancouver (Vancouver, Wash.)
- Fincantieri Ace Marine (Green Bay, Wis.)
Award for “Improvement in Safety”
- Alabama Shipyard (Mobile, Ala.)
- Austal USA (Mobile, Ala.)
- BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair (Norfolk, Va.)
- BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair (Jacksonville, Fla.)
- BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair (San Diego, Calif.)
- Bollinger Shipyards (Lockport, La.)
- Conrad Shipyard (Morgan City, La.)
- Fincantieri Ace Marine (Green Bay, Wis.)
- North Atlantic Ship Repair, LLC (Philadelphia, Pa.)
- Pacific Shipyards International (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- Southwest Shipyard L.P. (Channelview, Texas)
- Vigor Swan Island (Portland, Ore.)
- Vigor Seattle (Seattle, Wash.)
Shipbuilders Council of America members constitute the shipyard industrial base that builds, repairs, maintains, and modernizes U.S. Navy ships and craft, U.S. Coast Guard vessels, as well as vessels for other U.S. government agencies. SCA members also build, repair, and service America's fleet of commercial vessels. The Council represents 40 companies that own and operate over 80 shipyards. SCA also represents 87 partner members that provide goods and services to the shipyard industry.
As SCA President, Paxton works with CEOs of companies that employ hundreds of thousands of people who build and repair Navy, Coast Guard, and commercial ships. Paxton also serves as the federal lobbyist for the Coastal Conservation Association. At Adams and Reese, Paxton is a lawyer and lobbyist, focusing on maritime law and policy, fisheries law, natural resources development, and environmental/energy policy issues.
At Adams and Reese, Gaddy advises clients on government issues at the local, state, and federal levels, through communications strategies, grassroots outreach, advocacy, policy research, and economic analysis, to accomplish their business objectives.