Military shipbuilder begins operations at previous metal fabricator site in Goose Creek

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) – The largest military shipbuilder in the country has begun operating in what was previously the site of W International in Goose Creek.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said the company started work at what is now the Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) — Charleston Operations site.

More than 99% of the legacy workforce at W International accepted positions with HII and will continue to work on the site that constructs nuclear-powered submarine modules and aircraft carrier units for U.S. Navy programs.

“HII is committed to going where the labor is to increase shipbuilding capacity and increase throughput for our national security customers,” HII President and CEO Chris Kastner said.  “This lets us efficiently add trained talent and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities to the urgent job of building ships, making it a unique opportunity to immediately accelerate throughput at Newport News Shipbuilding in support of the Navy and AUKUS.”

The shipbuilder plans to add hundreds of jobs as the site grows and demand increases.

The manufacturing facility at Bushy Park Road sits on 45 acres with more than 480,000 square feet of manufacturing space and has access to barge and rail transportation.

“The expansion of our nation’s largest military shipbuilder in South Carolina underscores the pivotal role our state plays in strengthening America’s national security,” U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said. “The dedicated shipbuilders in the Charleston area are part of a highly skilled workforce that will propel our nation forward. This innovation and modernization in our defense industrial base will create jobs and draw resources to our state’s already robust Navy presence.”

NNS Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer Matt Needy runs the Charleston operation as general manager.

HII announced the incoming asset acquisition in December.