Page 28: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Mar/Apr 2026)

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WASHINGTON WATCH SUBSEA MINING © UD Family / Adobe Stock

OCEAN MINERALS ARE

BECOMING A REAL US

OPPORTUNITY

Momentum around critical minerals in Washington is no longer hypothetical.

Policymakers are now focused on practical steps to expand domestic access to the raw materials that underpin national security, advanced manufacturing, and modern energy systems. Ocean minerals are front and center of this conversation and the ofshore industry is prepared to play a central role. Congressional attention is growing fast.

By Erik Milito, President, National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)

House Natural Resources Subcommittee conductors, aircraft, ships, and data centers. Demand is hearing recently examined regulatory barri- rising as fast as electrifcation and AI-integration acceler- ers to deep-sea mining and how to position ate. Geopolitical competitors – China above all – domi-

American companies to lead, while a March nate large portions of the global supply chain, giving

A 26 House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee the U.S. strong reason to develop reliable domestic and hearing focused on the strategic and economic stakes of allied sources. We have already seen these same competi-

U.S. seabed mineral development and reducing depen- tors move aggressively to expand their infuence over in- dence on Chinese supply chains. Both hearings draw the ternational seabed governance and deepen their strategic same conclusion: offshore minerals are now a genuine presence in critical ocean corridors, making U.S. action

Congressional priority. more urgent than ever.

Cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and rare earth el- The United States has real offshore potential here. In ements are embedded in the technologies modern life both the high seas and areas falling within U.S. domestic depends on, including batteries, power systems, semi- waters and those of its allies, signifcant deposits of poly- 28 OFFSHORE ENGINEER OEDIGITAL.COM