Overview
- TOTE Services awarded Hanwha Defense USA a $269 million subcontract on Oct. 30 to build one Medium Landing Ship (LSM) at Hanwha Philly Shipyard with options for three more.
- TOTE is serving as the Navy and Marine Corps' Vessel Construction Manager under a $2.2 billion VCM contract that aims to buy up to eight initial LSMs and support a planned 35-ship fleet.
- TOTE said build slots allow construction to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027 and the first ship is now expected to deliver in 2030, a slip from earlier 2029 targets.
- The LSM is based on the Damen LST-100 design bought by the Navy to speed maturity and is intended to move Marines and equipment between islands and shorelines for dispersed operations in the Indo‑Pacific.
- Bollinger Shipyards and Fincantieri Marinette Marine retain prior directed and long‑lead awards and are expected to share production work, while Hanwha’s selection highlights recent private and foreign investment and yard expansion in Philadelphia.