U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, on Thursday announced that New London-based Thames Shipyard & Repair Company, Inc. will receive nearly $200,000 in federal funding.

The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to support industrial modernizations for small shipyards across the country. Thames Shipyard will use the funds to buy and install confined space surface preparation equipment.

“Thames Shipyard has been serving our region for over 100 years,” Courtney said in a statement. “I am glad that MARAD has selected them to receive this grant funding that will help them maintain their position as a leader in the shipbuilding industry. Thames Shipyard’s expertise in boat repair and shipbuilding helps keep eastern Connecticut’s fishing, shipping, and marine industries running at full speed. This is great news for their company and great news for our region.”

John P. Wronowski, president of Thames Shipyard & Repair Co. Inc., said in a statement that “the acquisition of this surface preparation system is consistent with our overall plan of making our shipyard more efficient and competitive to meet the demand of our existing and new customers. Quality and timeliness in the ship repair business is of the utmost importance to us. These improvements will ensure that Thames Shipyard remains at the forefront in this industry throughout New England and the entire Northeast.”

Since 2008, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program has awarded $174 million to 169 small shipyards, helping them to modernize operations, improve efficiency and boost productivity with employee training and new technologies.