PRESENTER Ted Williams President SENESCO Marine, a full-service Shipyard, New Construction
Implementation and Success Factors
The successful implementation of the Ships for America Maritime Action Plan depends on effective execution, bipartisan support in Congress, and alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance (April 9, 2025). Understanding why this plan became necessary provides important context for these requirements.
To understand the need for this action plan, it is important to reflect on America’s maritime history and the issues currently faced.
Past Maritime Strength
Between 1941 and 1945, the United States dominated global shipbuilding, producing 94,179 ships. This included 30 aircraft carriers, 10 battleships, 13 heavy cruisers, 34 light cruisers, 882 destroyers, 217 submarines, and 84,198 landing craft, among others.
Present-Day Challenges
Currently, the United States is responsible for just 0.1% of global shipbuilding, while China accounts for 53.3%—more than the rest of the world combined. The U.S. has 8 major shipyards employing 78,000 shipbuilders; in comparison, China has 7 major shipyards with a workforce of 280,000.
The Ships for America Maritime Action Plan
- Creation of Maritime Prosperity Zones for regional investment
- Workforce development initiatives
- Establishment of a Maritime Security Trust Fund for sustained funding
Prospects with Executive Order 14269
Executive Order 14269 sets forth a mission to achieve maritime dominance and support national security and economic prosperity. The act provides funding for small shipyards, tax incentives for shipyards, the creation of Maritime Investment Zones, workforce development initiatives, and the establishment of a Maritime Security Trust Fund to support continued operations.
Current Obstacles
- There are too few shipyards in the United States.
- The skilled workforce is limited in experience.
- Historically, there has been no funding for shipyards, especially small shipyards.
- Dry docks are outdated and require new infrastructure.
- The materials needed to dock vessels are insufficient.
Commentary
There were serious concerns about the decline of America’s shipbuilding industry, noting the closure of many shipyards and job losses for skilled workers over recent decades. However, with Trump’s Executive Order 14269 (American Maritime Recovery Act), there is new hope for the sector. The plan includes rebuilding shipyards, expanding the workforce, modernizing ports, and establishing funding through grants, tax credits, investment zones, a security trust fund, and workforce development. Now is the time to make use of these opportunities and resources.