NOAA Breaks Ground on a New Marine Operations Center Facility in Newport, Rhode Island

In December, the U.S. Navy, on behalf of NOAA, awarded $146,778,932 to Skanska USA to build the new NOAA facility.

The design and construction of the facility is funded in part by the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history.

The facility will include a pier to accommodate four large vessels, a floating dock for smaller vessels, space for vessel repairs and parking, and a building to be used for shoreside support and as a warehouse. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2027.

This project will operate under a Project Labor Agreement, consistent with EO 14063.

NOAA’s fleet of 15 research and survey ships are operated, managed, and maintained by NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations.

Ranging from large oceanographic research vessels capable of exploring the world’s deepest ocean, to smaller ships responsible for charting the shallow bays and inlets of the U.S., the fleet supports a wide range of marine activities, including fisheries surveys, nautical charting and ocean and climate studies. NOAA ships are operated by NOAA Corps officers and civilian professional mariners.