Bath Iron Works is one of three finalists that received a $3 million contract from the Navy to create a preliminary design for a high-speed vessel, according to a press release.
The shipyard is competing with two other builders, Bollinger Shipyards Inc. in Louisiana and Austal USA in Alabama, to become the only builder of the Joint High Speed Vessels for fast transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.
Once preliminary design is complete in about 180 days, the Navy will receive designs and construction proposals from the three teams. After the Navy chooses its shipyard, construction will begin on eight vessels in late 2008.