Ingalls Shipbuilding, based out of Pascagoula has won the contract to repair the USS Fitzgerald.
The Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyer was severely damaged in June of 2017 when a container ship collided with the destroyer off the coast of Japan.
The collision resulted in the death of seven sailors.
“In looking to Ingalls for the rehabilitation of the Fitzgerald, our Navy has chosen wisely,” said U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. “Mississippi shipbuilders completed repairs on the USS Cole in 2002, and I have every confidence we will achieve the same success with the Fitzgerald, enabling the ship to return to duty as soon as possible. Given the constraints already on the Navy’s fleet, restoring the USS Fitzgerald cannot come soon enough.”
Recently, Ingalls has repaired the USS Stark and the USS Cole.
“Ingalls and all of its employees regret the tragic circumstances that will bring the ship to Pascagoula,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias, “but it is an honor and a privilege to work with the Navy to return the ship to the fleet in the shortest time possible.”
