Santa Maria will build American ships -- American flag freighters manned by American crews. Santa Maria will appoint the same modular Liberty ship building technology perfected in World War II; currently practiced by other nations.

This type of shallow drafted freighter has economic and operational success in both transoceanic and short sea service with many European operators.

Able to enter the shallowest harbors, these ships offer both flexibility and national defense capability.

From modular fabrication and assembly to outfitting this modern vessel can be built at competitive rates by American talent and labor. Unlike freighters of the past, this ship is designed to be manned by a small crew offering 21st century automation and operational economy long practiced by other countries.

From their Greek heritage to new lives as Americans, for more than 150 years ships and shipbuilding have been an integral part of the Margaronis family. In 1875 their first vessel sailed the Mediterranean from their native isle of Chios -- a seafaring tradition that continued with a variety of early steam freighters.

A Margaronis vessel survived the North Atlantic in WW II; after the war Liberty Ships, and ever larger freighters, modern bulk carriers. Magaronis vessels have sailed every ocean throughout the 20th century. Today's plan for a new generation of Margaronis family ships will soon modernize U.S. domestic shipping under the Santa Maria flag.

The American flagged ships Santa Maria builds in Raymond will begin service for container shipping between the Pacific Coast and Hawaii offering competitive rates for Hawaiian shippers. View a movie clip from Dean Ota, Santa Maria's Hawaii Sales Manager.

Trans Pacific shipping however is only part of the Santa Maria story. These types of Santa Maria freighters are ideal candidates for short sea shipping between coastal U.S. ports. As many as 185 trucks could be taken off overcrowded highways with each short sea sailing with this type of Santa Maria freighter. Capable of operating to and from smaller Pacific Coast harbors these shallow draft vessels also meet requirements to operate in a wartime. Support for this all-American venture has been overwhelmingly positive from Coast Guard to Local and State officials.