The Navy will begin a private shipyard optimization plan and will begin reaching out to industry through the summer for input, according to a service official. Rear Adm. Jim Downey, Navy Regional Maintenance Center commander, said Jan. 11 the Navy has a "relatively significant demand signal" on its dry docks. The service is currently conducting a public shipyard optimization plan to support a 355-ship fleet. Downey stressed the Navy's relationship with the private docks is different than with the public...
