Resources

CNA Abstract: "This congressionally mandated study for the Maritime Administration in the Department of Transportation is meant to inform development of a national maritime strategy—its ends, ways, means, strategic problems, and priorities. The focus is on the national security role of merchant mariners, commercial shipping, and commercial shipbuilding. The study identifies potential strategic aims, problems that stand in the way of achieving these aims, and relevant courses of action. It also estimates future defense and economic security needs for U.S. flag shipping, mariners, and domestic shipbuilding."

Council for Prosperous America: "The widening shipbuilding gap with China—and, to a lesser degree, Russia—is therefore both an economic concern and a strategic threat; the U.S. dependenceon foreign-built and foreign-flagged ships creates serious vulnerabilities. In a crisis, an adversary that controls ship supply chains or key ports could restrict access to vital trade and military logistics, undermining economic stability and warfightingcapacity, for example. This is especially critical, given that 90% of military equipment is transported via ships as previously noted. To that end, rebuilding U.S. shipbuilding strength is essential to restoring both economic resilience and geopolitical freedom of action in the 21st century."

From the Center for Strategic and International Studies: "U.S. policymakers need to act quickly in coordination with allies and partners to address the economic and national security threats posed by China’s shipbuilding industry. This report offers a detailed policy roadmap for how Washington can disrupt China’s military-civil fusion strategy, erode China’s market dominance, and increase shipbuilding capacity within the United States and key partner countries."

A coalition of five unions filed a petition calling on the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to initiate an investigation of Chinese shipbuilding. The USTR conducted that investigation and concluded that China’s heavily subsidized, state-directed shipbuilding strategy has undercut fair competition, costing American shipyard jobs and eroding the U.S. industrial base that supports maritime workers and national security.