BATH, Maine (AP) _ The Navy is taking steps to build another destroyer at Bath Iron Works _ a relief for the Maine shipyard.
The Navy announced Friday an initial procurement contract for an amphibious transport dock to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Under a long-standing swap agreement, the Navy would build a sixth Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at Bath Iron Works.
Capt. Thurraya Kent, a Navy spokeswoman, said the new Maine-built ship ``would be in addition to the currently contracted multi-year ships, subject to congressional authorization and appropriation.''
Bath Iron Works is in the midst of early negotiations with its union.
The company says it needs concessions to place a competitive bid for Coast Guard cutters in the new year. Without it, the company had warned of workforce cuts of more than 1,000 jobs.