#AmericanShipBuilding #FixingtheProblem #USAShipBuilding #MaritimeIndustry #FlagsOfConvenience
What would it take to fix the American ship building problem? 🚢
The state of American ship building has been a hot topic of discussion in recent years. With only 300 active sea faring vessels out of over 10,000 being American made, it’s clear that drastic action is needed to address this issue. From the impact on national security to the potential economic and job creation benefits, there are many reasons why fixing the American ship building problem should be a top priority. In this article, we’ll explore the key challenges and potential solutions to this issue, and what it would take to turn the tide.
The Current State of American Ship Building
The state of American ship building is not a new problem, but it has become increasingly concerning in recent years. Here are some key points to consider:
– Only 300 out of over 10,000 active sea faring vessels are American made
– The US military has a backlog of upwards of 4000 days
– The reliance on flags of convenience has contributed to the decline of American ship building
– The decline in ship building has impacted national security, economic growth, and job creation
Challenges in Fixing the Problem
In order to effectively address the American ship building problem, it’s important to understand the key challenges that need to be overcome. Some of the main challenges include:
– Global competition from countries with lower labor and production costs
– The reliance on flags of convenience and the impact on domestic ship building
– The need for investment in infrastructure, technology, and skilled labor
– The bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles that hinder progress in the maritime industry
Potential Solutions to Fixing the Problem
Despite the challenges, there are several potential solutions that could help to fix the American ship building problem. Here are a few key ideas to consider:
– Incentivizing domestic ship building through tax breaks, subsidies, and other financial incentives
– Investing in research and development to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness in the global market
– Strengthening regulations and enforcement to discourage the use of flags of convenience and promote domestic ship building
– Collaborating with industry stakeholders, government agencies, and international partners to address common challenges and work towards common goals
The Importance of Fixing the American Ship Building Problem
The issue of American ship building goes beyond just the maritime industry. It has far-reaching implications for national security, economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness. Here are some key reasons why fixing the American ship building problem is crucial:
– National security: A strong domestic ship building industry is essential for maintaining a secure and resilient maritime infrastructure
– Economic growth: Investing in ship building can create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and support related industries such as manufacturing, technology, and logistics
– Job creation: Ship building has the potential to create a wide range of skilled and unskilled jobs, from engineers and welders to administrative and support staff
– Global competitiveness: A strong domestic ship building industry can enhance the nation’s global competitiveness and reduce reliance on foreign vessels and supply chains
In conclusion, fixing the American ship building problem will require a multi-faceted approach that addresses the key challenges and leverages potential solutions. From incentivizing domestic ship building to strengthening regulations and enforcement, there are many opportunities to drive positive change in this important industry. With the right strategies and collaborative efforts, it’s possible to turn the tide and revitalize the American ship building industry for the benefit of national security, economic growth, and job creation. Let’s work together to set sail towards a brighter future for American ship building.
I am assuming you’re talking specifically about merchant ships, because the US Navy continues to be the largest in the world.
But first, I think to start here you need to get some agreement that there is a problem at all. What problems are we facing by only having 300 American made ships on the ocean?
You may not know this but US law more or less puts stringent requirements on domestic flagged ships to the point where it is cheaper to use entirely foreign ships. This is an unintended consequences sort of law.
Repeal the Jones Act.
That wouldn’t fix it overnight, of course, but that’s the critical gating item. It’s a general problem with that sort of protectionism – by guaranteeing an industry a captive domestic customer base, they are not exposed to international competition. Without the necessity to compete, they fall further and further behind technologically.
Why would a US shipyard invest in making high-quality ships to sell at competitive prices, when they can instead make low-quality ships to sell for inflated prices to a captive audience?
If the Jones Act were repealed, Japanese and Korean shipbuilders would likely buy out and convert US plants to expand their capacity. That’d be the most straightforward way to rebuild domestic capacity inside a couple decades or so.