The Texas A&M Maritime Academy received its new training vessel, the TS Lone Star State, which arrived in Galveston, Texas, on Sept. 8. The $325 million ship is the fourth of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels commissioned by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). It was christened in July at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Designed specifically for the academy, the vessel serves as a training platform for future merchant marine officers and as a federal asset for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The ship can accommodate 600 cadets during at-sea training and house 1,000 recovery workers during disaster response operations.
It features a modern training bridge, navigation lab, integrated simulators, classrooms, workshops, hospital facilities, a helipad, roll-on/roll-off ramps, and cargo cranes.
The Texas A&M Maritime Academy is one of six state maritime academies nationwide and the only one in the Southern United States that provides a U.S. Coast Guard ship officer license combined with an undergraduate or graduate degree. Industry demand for skilled graduates has reached all-time highs due to global maritime workforce shortages.
Glenn Hegar, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, stated that the arrival reflects the university’s sea-grant mission by educating future mariners and advancing coastal research. He noted that America’s maritime future is being built in Texas.
Texas A&M University President Susan Ballabina said the vessel ensures the university remains a cornerstone of maritime excellence. She credited the dedicated efforts of the university community, industry partners, and legislators for the ship's completion.
