Page 58: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2025)

The Final Word: US Shipbuilding

U.S. SHIPBUILDING:

AMERICAN MARITIME DOMINANCE

REQUIRES A NEW ECOSYSTEM ith all the Legislative fanfare, Executive Or- ders, Committee meet-

Wings, lobbying efforts and media announcements concerning

American Shipbuilding, Naval Warfare and Maritime Dominance, it is no sur- prise that the result of the uproar is shear confusion within the maritime industrial base (MIB). The April 9, 2025 Execu- tive Order Restoring America’s Maritime

Dominance lists more than several re- ports to the President due within 90 days.

Following those initial updates other re-

Image courtesy Maritime Operations Group ports are due at 180 and 210 days. The in- its Naval components with its global events in the Middle East, Ukraine and dustry as a whole has not seen references commercial requirements. It needs a the Indo-Paci? c the sight of an American to any of the reports being completed. new ecosystem. Major changes are re- merchant vessel, fully loaded with cargo

That said, over the years we have seen quired if the MIB is looking to compete and ? ying the stars and stripes would be many Federal transportation programs globally and reclaim its former reputa- a welcome sign in those theatres and can with good intentions end up with only re- tion and position in both geopolitical easily assist in rebuilding U.S. manufac- ports and little to no investment. To sup- circles and commodity markets. turing and agriculture. With that injec- port that opinion, the latest GAO report tion of US assets and seafarers, National on shipbuilding described the industry as Is the “eco” comparison a little too Security and Force protection follows. a “perpetual stage of triage.” “Jurassic Park”? We extend our Naval power by provid-

As shipbuilders and operators, we are Maybe not. ing protection of those commercial as- simply confused about the path forward. An ecosystem engineer in nature is sets with new services and applications.

Is the support and funding commercial or any species that is capable of changing The recent One Big Beautiful Bill in- is it governmental? Is the revitalization its environment. An “allogenic” engi- cludes signi? cant funding for the Navy, of the Industrial base based upon legisla- neer changes the habitats around them particularly in shipbuilding, and autono- tion, public-private partnerships, private while an “autogenic” engineer alters mous systems. The bill allocates roughly investment, or government subsidy? With its own structure. Think US Navy and $40 billion dollars for the procurement those questions coming from many differ- a military industrial base as “allogenic” of new ships, unmanned vessels, and ent Federal and private sources, we ask if and commercial shipping and markets the development of modernizing naval a “shipbuilding” rebirth is an attempt to as “autogenic”. In our opinion the new shipyards. All of this funding is outside satisfy the status quo or is it better served “ecosystem” in U.S shipping must move of the normal defense budget legislation organically by providing new technology, beyond a request for “dual use” tonnage request for 2026 at $292.2 billion. The deregulation, programs and private invest- and look to combine funding, procedure new law also includes a signi? cant fund- ment to reach new capacity and services. and technology of both military and ing for the U.S. Coast Guard, totaling

In nature Ecology de? nes the interrela- commercial vessels to move forward as nearly $25 billion, reported as the larg- tions among organisms and their envi- a sustainable community. est single commitment of funding in the ronments. With those relations nature Our reputation and strengths are not Service's history. This funding will also builds populations and those popula- only based on our military capabil- be used for shipbuilding, shore facilities, tions develop into communities. The ity. The respect from our international and maintenance. Again, this is speci? c result in many natural environments is partners and allies has also been based funding for shipbuilding outside of the a sustainable and supportive ecosys- on our historical humanitarian aid and normal Coast Guard Authorization leg- tem. U.S. Maritime needs to combine service. With the current geopolitical islation, Homeland Security or Defense. 58 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2025

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