Virginia Ship Repair Association

What Virginia Ship Repair Association does

Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) is a Norfolk, Virginia-based regional trade association organized under IRS 501(c)(6), representing more than 300 member companies engaged in ship repair and supporting services across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. The association's core offering is membership services — advocacy to federal, state, and local agencies, workforce development, industry training and certification, a member directory, and a U.S. Navy-sanctioned Quality Assurance Sub-Contractor Audit Program — delivered through a nine-committee governance structure covering Safety, Contracts, QA, Cybersecurity, HR, Security, Workforce Development, Communications, and the OSHA Partnership. Member companies collectively generate an estimated $10.9 billion in economic impact and support more than 79,000 jobs in Hampton Roads.

VSRA's revenue model is subscription-anchored: annual membership dues stratified by membership category, plus a one-time $250 application fee, supplemented by training program fees, event sponsorships, and committee activities. The organization distributes Domestic Private Sector CMAV Workload Estimates and CNRMC forecasts to help members plan capacity against Navy demand cycles. It works closely with the U.S. Navy Mid Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC), OSHA, VIOSH, DOT, and Virginia Community Colleges, and maintains a Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) relationship via the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

The affiliated Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF), a 501(c)(3), handles workforce development, education, and outreach, including career days and the Annual Tradesperson of the Year awards. VSRA is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors and led by President John Polowczyk (a retired Navy Rear Admiral) as of August 2025, following the October 2025 passing of longtime president Bill Crow. The association operates with a small staff of approximately 9 people from its headquarters in the Norfolk World Trade Center.

Name

Virginia Ship Repair Association

Legal name

Virginia Ship Repair Association, Inc.

Website

https://virginiashiprepair.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) is a Norfolk-based 501(c)(6) regional trade association representing over 300 ship repair companies across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, providing advocacy, workforce development, training, and a U.S. Navy-sanctioned quality assurance program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Tank Cleaning, Gas-Freeing & Class/Safety Compliance Upgrades (IMAJAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning) (IMAJAFAJ), Piping, Mechanical & Auxiliaries Repair (Pumps, Valves, Heat Exchangers, Boilers) (IMAJAFAE)

Keywords

• Ship repair industry
• Maritime trade association
• Workforce development training
• Industry advocacy services
• Naval maintenance support

Headquarters

HQ city

Norfolk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues based on membership category, with one-time application fee of $250. Represents over 300 member companies with combined economic impact of $10.9 billion.
2. Training Programs and Services: Industry-leading certification courses and workforce development programs for ship repair industry
3. Events and Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages and event fees for member networking events and annual social

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) is a regional non-profit trade association representing more than 300 ship repair and maritime support companies in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. It provides membership-based services including industry advocacy to government agencies, workforce development and training programs, a U.S. Navy sanctioned Quality Assurance Sub-Contractor Audit Program, and member networking events. The affiliated Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF) focuses on education and outreach to build the next generation of ship repairers.

Product overview

Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) is a regional industry association representing companies engaged in, or supporting, the ship repair industry in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. Rather than offering a software product platform, VSRA provides membership services including workforce development programs, industry training courses, a U.S. Navy sanctioned Quality Assurance Sub-Contractor Audit Program, member directory services, and industry advocacy. The organization also operates the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on education and outreach to build the future ship repair workforce.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VSRA Standard Membership
• World-Class Training Programs
• Quality Assurance Sub-Contractor Audit Program
• VSRA Sponsorship Packages

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 79,000 jobs supported by member companies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OSHAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSHA-VSRA Partnership is one of VSRA's standing committees. VSRA was awarded the OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant to develop maritime-specific electrical hazard training programs for the ship repair industry.
• U.S. Navy Mid Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSRA works closely with the U.S. Navy and MARMC to create a high standard of excellence in the ship repair industry. Provides workload estimates and CMAV schedules to members.
• Virginia Community CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSRA's Marine Trade Training program teams member companies with workforce development agencies and Virginia Community Colleges to offer training that helps applicants get a head start on a career in the ship repair industry.
• Virginia Maritime AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSRA works with VMA on maritime industry matters. David C. White, Executive Vice President of VMA, serves as VSRA Ex Officio board member.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSRA participates in VEDP's Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) Program through Tony Mazzeo as Trade Partner, counseling businesses on export controls and compliance.
• DOT (Department of Transportation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSRA works closely with DOT along with other federal and state agencies to address ship repair industry concerns.
• VIOSHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSRA works with VIOSH on workplace safety matters related to the ship repair industry.
• Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSRF is the 501(c)(3) affiliated foundation focused on workforce development, education and outreach to build the next generation of ship repairers. Founded from restructuring of Tidewater Maritime Training Institute.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• West Gulf Maritime Association: Regional maritime trade association representing Gulf Coast vessel owners and operators. Operates similar member-driven advocacy model in different geography (TX/LA), providing a regional comp outside VSRA's Mid-Atlantic focus.
• Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey: Regional maritime trade association serving the Port of NY/NJ. Comparable membership-based model and advocacy role but operates in a different East Coast geography focused on port/dredging rather than ship repair.

Direct peers

• Shipbuilders Council of America: National trade association representing U.S. shipbuilders and ship repairers. Competes directly with VSRA for member companies and federal advocacy influence; closest national-level comparable to VSRA's mission.

Broad incumbents

• American Maritime Partnership: U.S.-flag maritime industry advocacy coalition representing shipowners, operators, and unions. Comparable federal/regulatory advocacy mandate at national scale, overlapping with VSRA's ship repair member companies' customer base.
• Virginia Maritime Association: Regional maritime trade association based in Hampton Roads covering ports, shipping, terminals, and broader maritime industry. Listed as a core strategic partner; serves similar member base with broader scope than VSRA's ship repair focus.

Others

• National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP): U.S. Navy-funded collaborative research and workforce program for the shipbuilding industry. Adjacent training/research infrastructure organization with overlapping member companies and Navy partnership model.
• American Waterways Operators: National trade association for the U.S. tugboat, towboat, and barge industry. Comparable membership-based association model and federal advocacy focus, though focused on inland/coastal shipping rather than ship repair.
• Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME): Professional society for naval architects, marine engineers, and maritime professionals. Adjacent industry knowledge community with conference and publication infrastructure comparable to VSRA's training/education activities.
• Lake Carriers' Association: Regional trade association representing Great Lakes vessel operators. Similar membership-driven model and government-relations focus but serves a different maritime sector (lakes shipping vs. ship repair).
• Navy League of the United States: National civilian organization supporting sea services (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard). Adjacent maritime/national security advocacy mission with public education and policy efforts that overlap with VSRA's workforce outreach goals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vashiprepair
• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Virginia-Ship-Repair-Association/100094235317499
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virginia-ship-repair-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/virginiashiprepair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virginia Ship Repair Association