Since February 2025, Fincantieri Marine Group has expanded its workforce at its U.S. shipyards by over 600 employees. Company management stated this marks a gradual recovery in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, with the hiring surge positioning the group to achieve its goal of reaching 2,700 employees in the U.S. by year-end.
This workforce expansion primarily involves Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, with approximately 400 new employees; and Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, with 200 new employees. The initiative aims to support production milestones at the group’s four U.S. shipyards (three in Wisconsin and one in Florida).
Fincantieri Marinette Marine, established in 1942, is renowned for constructing small surface combatants. Both the U.S. Navy’s guided-missile frigates and Liberty-class littoral combat ships were built at this facility. Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding specializes in the construction, repair, and conversion of Coast Guard and merchant vessels, including offshore support vessels (OSVs) and articulated tug-barge (ATB) systems. The shipyard is currently building the two largest LNG bunkering barges ever constructed in the United States.
“Labor Day is an opportunity to celebrate our people whose skills and dedication are the true foundation of our company,” said George Moutafis, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “Their commitment not only drives our success but also forges the path to a U.S. shipbuilding renaissance. We are proud to invest in our people, expand our workforce, and create quality jobs that benefit our communities and our nation for years to come.”
Fincantieri is said to currently employ over 2,300 skilled workers in the U.S. and indirectly provide thousands of additional jobs through its domestic supply chain. The group has invested over $800 million in U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure, with over half of that investment earmarked for upgrading and expanding the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin.
To improve safety and productivity, Fincantieri has introduced a number of advanced technologies into its US shipyards, including wearable exo-skeletons, air-purifying welding helmets, collaborative robots, and digital production tools. The group also emphasizes that partnerships with local suppliers, educational institutions, and communities are an integral part of its development strategy.
The expansion of Fincantieri’s U.S. shipyards follows closely on the heels of President Trump’s April 9, 2025, executive order, “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” which aims to revive the U.S. domestic shipbuilding industry and “weaken China’s control over global shipping.” With growing geopolitical pressures and increased activity in the Arctic, U.S. policymakers have repeatedly warned of the country’s fragile shipbuilding capabilities.
Fincantieri’s U.S. operations are currently at the heart of the U.S. Navy’s modernization drive. Fincantieri is currently constructing the lead ship of the Constellation-class frigates, considered a key component of the Navy’s distributed maritime operations. However, the project is facing significant challenges. The lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), was originally scheduled for delivery in April 2026 but is now expected to be delivered in April 2029, a 36-month delay.
Moutafis will serve as the Group Chief Executive Officer from July 1, 2025. He has over 25 years of executive experience and previously worked at FMG Group supporting U.S. Navy platform projects.
Fincantieri USA’s shipyard business includes the construction of Constellation-class frigates, littoral combat ships, as well as icebreakers, buoy tenders, and emergency response vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard. Since its founding in Marinette, Wisconsin in 1942, the company has built more than 1,500 ships.