Investment expected to create 32 new jobs and establish U.S. based assembly, testing, and lifecycle-support capacity for marine medium-speed combustion engines.

Defense Maritime Solutions, Inc. (DMS), a leading original equipment manufacturer and supplier of shipboard propulsion and auxiliary systems, today announced plans to invest more than $30 million to expand its operations in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Rendering of main assembly area of Defense Maritime Solutions’ planned engine manufacturing facility in Chesapeake, Virginia; which will support U.S. based manufacturing activities of Wärtsilä medium-speed marine combustion engines. Image credit: Defense Maritime Solutions, Inc.

The investment is expected to create 32 new jobs and establish U.S. based capabilities for the manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, finishing, packaging, and lifecycle support of Wärtsilä medium-speed engines for marine purposes.

“This is a long-term investment in the people, infrastructure, and industrial capabilities required to support the future of the U.S. maritime sector,” said Noble Davidson, President, Defense Maritime Solutions. “By combining Wärtsilä’s proven medium-speed engine technology with DMS’s U.S. based engineering, manufacturing, and lifecycle-support expertise, our customers will be supported with a resilient, responsive, and sustainable source of critical shipboard power and propulsion capability. Chesapeake has been DMS’s home for more than four decades, and we are proud to make this investment here.”

The added capabilities are intended to improve domestic maritime supply-chain resilience, enhance access to best-in-class power generation technology, strengthen manufacturing readiness, and provide increased support throughout the operational life of the U.S. Government fleet.

DMS currently operates from its Chesapeake headquarters, as well as locations in Poulsbo, Washington, and San Diego, California, positioning the company near several of the nation’s largest naval and maritime operating regions. This U.S. based footprint enables DMS to deliver responsive lifecycle support to U.S. Government vessels worldwide, including installations aboard and vessels with specialized access and compliance requirements.

The investment supports the objectives of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Finland, led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to strengthen domestic and allied shipbuilding capacity.

“The Hampton Roads region offers an exceptional combination of skilled trades, engineering talent, maritime infrastructure, suppliers, and proximity to major fleet and shipbuilding customers,” said Davidson. “We appreciate the support of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Chesapeake, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and the Hampton Roads Alliance as we move this important project forward.”

About Defense Maritime Solutions

Established in 1979 and headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, Defense Maritime Solutions provides original equipment, integration engineering, manufacturing, field service, repair, overhaul, and lifecycle support for shipboard energy and propulsion systems. DMS supports the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other government and maritime customers from locations in Chesapeake, Virginia; Poulsbo, Washington; and San Diego, California.

DMS’s capabilities support critical shipboard systems including propulsion engines, generators, shaft-line equipment, seals and bearings, propellers, thrusters, maneuvering systems, and related marine technologies.

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“This investment expands critical U.S. marine engine manufacturing capacity and strengthens the domestic maritime industrial base.”