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Posted On: 9/2/2026, 8:26:38 PM
Last Update: 9/2/2026, 8:26:38 PM
The Trump Administration's Maritime Action Plan (MAP), released in February, received widespread endorsement within the maritime community, as it serves as a comprehensive blueprint outlining a pathway for maritime strategy in the U.S.
Point A outlines the current state of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, highlighting that less than one per cent of new commercial ships are constructed domestically, which has only 66 shipyards, including eight active shipbuilding yards.
The existing capacity is insufficient to meet national priorities, especially as strategic competitors dominate the market and produce ships at lower costs.
Notably, the Reading of Maritime Action Plan, written by Jack O'Connell, was first published in the Maritime Executive's July/August 2026 edition.
This excerpt underscores the importance of a robust domestic shipbuilding sector for U.S. national and economic security. Co-authors Marco Rubio and Russell Vought highlight concerns regarding security and supply chain dependencies due to reliance on foreign vessels, emphasising that the U.S. must be capable of producing and maintaining its own ships to protect its interests at sea.
Point B entails using the MAP to modernise government procurement and streamline regulations in shipbuilding. Key strategies include enhancing regulatory processes, improving interagency coordination, and ensuring stable funding for U.S.-built ships, ultimately aimed at rebuilding America's maritime strength efficiently and effectively.
According to O'Connell, he found reading the MAP daunting due to its heavy use of “bureaucratese,” a language filled with acronyms familiar from his time in government during the Reagan Administration. The 35-page document features an extensive list of 76 acronyms, averaging about 10 per page, making it difficult to navigate.
Besides, acronyms and vague language are bothersome, along with verbosity and redundancy, which characterise bureaucratese. After postponing the task, the author has now reviewed it thoroughly and aims to spare readers from the same inconvenience.
Pillar 1 focuses on revitalising the U.S. shipbuilding industry, which has limited capacity with only eight shipyards for vessels over 400 feet. It stresses increased investment in shipyard capabilities, the creation of 100 Maritime Prosperity Zones in the next decade, and collaboration with allied countries.
Funding strategies include Title XI, public-private partnerships, federal loan guarantees, and a proposed cargo tax on non-U.S.-flagged vessels to support the Maritime Security Trust Fund for shipyard expansion.
To expand its fleet, the U.S. should collaborate with allies like South Korea and Japan for expertise, as evidenced by Hanwha's acquisition of Philly Shipyard. Additionally, reflagging foreign vessels will serve as a temporary solution.
Pillar 2 is a crucial step, which involves enhancing mariner training and education to ensure a skilled maritime workforce, focusing on improving the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and state maritime academies, as well as vocational schools that train essential craftsmen for shipyards.
Likewise, scalable maritime initiatives feature the military-to-mariner (M2M) programme, which aids veterans in transitioning to maritime careers by recognising military training. Additionally, the Mariner Incentive Program (MIP) offers funding to recruit and retain mariners, potentially exempting their income from federal tax on foreign trade routes.
Pillar 3 focuses on protecting the maritime base through trade policies, customs enforcement, and federal procurement, which affects demand for US-flag vessels.
The document recommends expanding Cargo Preference requirements from 50 per cent to potentially 100 per cent of federal cargoes, contingent on the availability of U.S.-flagged ships.
Moreover, it suggests a new maritime requirement for high-volume exporting economies, such as China, to gradually increase the percentage of their U.S.-bound containerised cargo transported on qualifying U.S. vessels.
Establishing a “Land Port Maintenance Tax,” akin to the Harbor Maintenance Tax, would impose a modest fee (0.125% of merchandise value) on goods entering the U.S. through land ports for infrastructure maintenance
Furthermore, Pillar 4 underlines national security and industrial resilience, streamlining federal procurement, and addressing Arctic interests with adequate strategies and resources.
Ultimately, enactment of the FY2027 National Defence Authorisation Act, featuring MAP provisions like the Maritime Security Trust Fund, is anticipated to initiate upcoming developments. Alternatively, the SHIPS Act may finally be passed by Congress.
The Maritime Professional Training courses explore America's Maritime Action Plan (MAP), which is centred on four strategic pillars aimed at revitalising the United States' maritime industrial base, shipping fleets, and supply chains.
