Shipbuilding Manufacturing Support for the American Maritime Supply Chain

A recent CBS News story on 60 Minutes reported that China builds more than 1,000 cargo ships per year, while the United States builds about three. This disparity has sparked national security concerns and spurred investment in revitalizing American shipbuilding.

In December 2024, Hanwha finalized its acquisition of Philadelphia's Philly Shipyard, committing $5 billion to expand production capacity from about one vessel per year to as many as 20. An LNG carrier order has already been placed, the first to be built on U.S. soil in nearly 50 years. The White House issued an executive order in April 2025 to spark new investments in domestic shipbuilding, and the SHIPS for America Act is being considered in Congress.

This rebuilding effort requires a deep bench of skilled domestic manufacturing suppliers who can produce and restore the precision components that ships depend on. At HFW Industries, we have spent over 75 years developing the relevant expertise. Today, we offer comprehensive thermal spraying, hardfacing, precision machining, and precision grinding services.

How the Jones Act Impacts the Supply Chain

The Jones Act requires that vessels transporting cargo between U.S. ports be built in the United States and owned by U.S. citizens. Although the Jones Act was temporarily waived by the Trump administration on March 17, the law remains on the books in the long term, and it puts a premium on domestic suppliers. Shipyards need manufacturers who can deliver precision components on time, without relying on overseas sourcing. HFW Industries is positioned to meet that need.

HFW and the Shipbuilding Supply Chain

HFW Industries is a one-source industrial manufacturer and repair provider based in Buffalo, New York. Our capabilities include thermal spray coatings, hardfacing, precision machining, and precision grinding, with direct experience across the systems that ships depend on most.

Marine Turbine Repair and Coatings for Propulsion Systems

Ships, particularly naval and commercial vessels in the LNG and tanker sectors, are largely steam-driven. Steam turbines and their associated shafts are among the most demanding components in any propulsion system. HFW has experience manufacturing and rebuilding major steam turbine components, including coating and finishing of rotating components.

Thermal Spray Coatings for Protecting Maritime Equipment

Exposure to water can lead to significant corrosion of industrial equipment. HFW applies thermal spray aluminum and other corrosion-resistant coatings to components that operate in or around both freshwater and saltwater environments. We can also rebuild ship-to-shore and ship-to-submarine components, such as connectors, rings, and couplings, using arc spray and HVOF processes, depending on material requirements. These are components that sit in water, face constant corrosion pressure, and require precise dimensional restoration when worn.

Thermal spray coatings can also be used to improve anti-fouling properties and prevent harmful organic buildup on maritime components. These coatings can be applied to various large pump components including impellers, bowls, and some tubing, depending on size. Hardface welding may also be used to restore the original dimensions of pump components and improve their surface hardness. These improvements can extend service life and reduce replacement costs.

Capacity, Lead Time, and Location

One of the most consistent challenges shipyards face today is workforce and lead time. Some yards may have the technical capability to manufacture or rebuild components internally but not the staffing to keep pace with production schedules. We operate as a manufacturing and rebuild partner for that work, a complement to shipyard capacity rather than a replacement for it.

Our facility in Buffalo, New York sits within a day's drive of every major East Coast port. We are also connected to the Great Lakes system, one of the most significant inland shipping networks in the world, with access to the Atlantic through the St. Lawrence Seaway. That geography makes us a practical partner for East Coast and Great Lakes shipbuilding operations alike.

HFW Is Built for This Moment

The resurgence of American shipbuilding is a national security imperative. The investments underway in Philadelphia, the policy frameworks being established in Washington, and an order on the books for an LNG tanker signal a multi-decade industrial shift. Suppliers who can deliver precision manufacturing, corrosion protection, turbomachinery expertise, and reliable lead times will be central to that effort.

Ready to Discuss Your Shipbuilding Needs?

To discuss your application, email RFQ@hfwindustries.com. Submit a quote request with drawings, photos, operating conditions, and timing so HFW can review the application and next steps. You can also call (716) 875-3380.

Additional Technical Resources for Shipbuilding Professionals

• How Does HFW Serve the Turbomachinery Industry?

  HFW's full-service turbomachinery offering: shaft rebuilds, HVOF coatings, EMRO inspection, and precision grinding in one facility.

• Turbo-Compression Repair and Turbomachinery Coating Services

  Component-level detail on compressor shafts, piston rods, and turbine parts repaired and coated at HFW.

• Managing the Tungsten Carbide Shortage

  Why global tungsten carbide supply is constrained and what reliability engineers need to know about sourcing and alternatives.

• HFW 512 Corrosion-Resistant Coating Case Study

  How HFW 512 corrosion-resistant coating helped extend chemical processing roll life from months to years.

• Reducing Assembly Time by 75% at one-third the Cost

  Case study: consolidating machining, coating, and finishing at HFW cut a customer's assembly time by 75% at one-third the cost.

• Overview of Thermal Spray Coatings: HVOF & Tungsten Carbide

  A comprehensive overview of HVOF and thermal spray coating processes, materials, and industrial applications.

• Precision Grinding at HFW

  HFW's cylindrical OD grinding capabilities, tolerances, and component types from turbomachinery to chemical processing.

• Hard Face Overlays for Industrial Equipment Rebuild

  Application-focused guidance for weld overlay repair, hard face overlays, process selection, and one-source execution.

Article Sources

• "Collapse of U.S. shipbuilding poses national and economic security risks"
  CBS News report on 60 Minutes. March 22, 2026.
• "Hanwha Shipping orders LNG carrier from Hanwha Philly Shipyard"
  Press release on Hanwha's website. July 23, 2025.
• "Restoring America's Maritime Dominance"
  Executive order on the White House website. April 9, 2025.
• "Domestic Shipping"
  Explanation of the Jones Act on the U.S. Department of Transportation's website. Accessed May 2026.
• "Trump extends Jones Act waiver for another 90 days"
  CBS News report. April 29, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipbuilding Manufacturing Support