The multimillion dollar construction is part of the company's most recent $200 million expansion of shipyard resources underway to finance the construction of the newest class of ships of the US Navy.

“Building 34 is a key element to our Constellation-class frigate production. This will allow us to complete construction of two 500-foot ships at the same time inside of a massive climate-controlled facility,” said Dario Deste, President and CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group.

The contract to design and develop the first Constellation-class guided missile frigate was awarded to Fincantieri Marinette Marine in April 2020, with options for up to nine additional ships.

The overall value of the deal is $5.5 billion if all options are exercised by the Navy.

In addition to the new building, as part of construction work, several other projects are currently underway in Marinette. In order to promote potential frigate production for the US Navy, the largest ship lift in the US is being constructed along the waterfront, as well as upgrades to other buildings.

Across the bay at the sister shipyard of Marinette, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, work began months ago on several new buildings and is advancing rapidly, the company said.

In these buildings, significant parts of the frigate's hull will be installed before being transported to Marinette, where they will be joined together as the ships are erected within Building 34.

Representatives from FMM, FMG, the U.S. included groundbreaking attendants. Navy, the construction and engineering companies based in Wisconsin, Miron and Graef, who are constructing the structure, and Boilermakers Union Leadership 696.

Maritime Business World