The Trump administration’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP) is a 35-page strategy aiming to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry from its current state of less than one percent global output. The plan, presented as a national security issue rather than transportation policy, proposes several key initiatives including fees on foreign vessels to fund a Maritime Security Trust Fund, the creation of Maritime Prosperity Zones for tax-advantaged investment, a “Bridge Strategy” involving allied shipbuilders, and significant tax and regulatory reforms. The success of the MAP, however, hinges on Congressional action to authorize funding mechanisms and overcome challenges like agency staffing and the long timeline required to rebuild industrial capacity.

Delivering on this vision requires more than investment. By coordinating educational and workforce innovation (USCMI), streamlining regulatory processes, strengthening interagency coordination, and providing reliable long-term funding and demand for U.S.-built ships, shipyards, and mariners, America will rebuild maritime strength at the speed and scale required to meet the challenges of today and the future.