Trump issues an executive order to boost American shipbuilding
Posted on Apr 14, 2025 at 11:04 PM
US President Donald Trump suggested that Congress may approve buying large ships from other countries while the US works on restoring its own shipbuilding capacity, suggesting that allied nations may temporarily supply high-end ships.
Trump claims that even though the US intends to regain its shipbuilding capabilities, short-term imports may be required to make up the difference. He states it is “ridiculous” that the US is no longer building ships on the same scale as it once did.
Trump's Strategy: Future Directions
Trump plans to focus on rebuilding the shipbuilding industry, relying on trusted countries for quality ship production. Despite requiring Congressional approval, he expressed confidence in the process.
Notably, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz highlighted that Chinese shipyards received 1,700 orders last year, while US shipyards managed five. Waltz reportedly plans to revive the US shipbuilding industry under Trump's leadership.
Trump discussed the shipbuilding industry in a recent phone call with South Korea's acting President, Han Duck-soo.
South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean Co has acquired Philadelphia's Navy shipyard and secured Korea's first US Navy ship overhaul contract, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has submitted a proposal to the US government.
South Korea's Chosun news outlet reports that the company is prepared to build up to five US ships annually, with the potential for further expansion.
In addition, HD Under Woo-man Jeong's leadership, Hyundai's Specialised Ship Business Unit has more than 250 engineers who can design and construct Aegis-class ships that perform on par with those of the US Navy.
Foreign Ship Purchases' Significance
HD Hyundai, South Korea's sole shipbuilder, is currently producing five of the Korean Navy's six Aegis ships. The ROKS Jeongjo the Great, the South Korean Navy's largest ship, was commissioned last year and features the most recent version of the Korean Vertical Launch System.
Japan, meanwhile, is considered a possible ally. The nation produces a range of warships, including destroyers with designs resembling those of the US Navy's Arleigh Burke class.
Shipbuilding courses at the Maritime Training Academy UK cover a broad range of subjects pertaining to the planning, building, upkeep and repair of marine vessels.
Besides, Trump has not stated if the planned ship purchases would be commercial ships, naval warships, or both, but experts think the US Navy's continued difficulties may make military ships the primary focus.
It has previously been suggested that purchasing ships built abroad could be a way to address capacity constraints and delays in American shipyards. Further, Trump is taking the issue seriously, as evidenced by his executive order to revitalise the US shipbuilding industry.
Eventually, according to industry observers, purchasing ships from reliable allies like South Korea and Japan may be a sensible short-term move, particularly since China continues to dominate the world's shipbuilding market with a capacity reportedly 200 times greater than that of the US.
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