Major U.S. maritime labor unions are urging the Trump administration and Congress to require that any Venezuelan crude oil imported into the United States be transported exclusively on U.S.-flag ships crewed by American mariners.

In a joint letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the unions say sanctions on Venezuela have unintentionally pushed oil exports into foreign-controlled and “shadow fleet” tankers, shutting U.S. operators out of valuable energy cargoes.

They argue this would strengthen national security, improve enforcement of sanctions, and help revive the long-declining U.S. shipping fleet and shipbuilding industry.

In 2025, the United States became the first nation to export over 100 million metric tons (mmt) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a single year, reaching a total of 111 mmt. This volume represents a 24% year-on-year increase and accounted for approximately 25% of global LNG exports.

Key drivers of this record include new facilities and market demand. Europe remained the primary destination, importing 9 mmt in December alone as it continued to pivot away from Russian gas. Production is expected to rise further in 2026.

The U.S. faces a growing sailor shortage despite maritime jobs offering big pay and significant perks.

America’s merchant marine is facing a crossroads. With only a small fraction of global commercial shipping sailing under the U.S. flag, the number of American mariners has dwindled — despite the fact that the jobs pay well and often come with months of paid leave. Now, a push from President Trump and a bipartisan group in Congress aims to reverse that decline by revitalizing American shipbuilding and expanding the fleet of U.S.-crewed vessels. The proposal could create thousands of new maritime jobs, especially for officers and engineers, at a time when maritime academies are graduating fewer qualified candidates.

For mariners like Nicole Caputo, who has sailed on ten ships since 2018, the career offers both financial stability and adventure — but also long stretches away from home. Many mariners earn over $100,000, yet the lifestyle can be isolating and demanding, with crews often working 12-hour days for months at sea. Industry leaders say wages, working conditions, and shipboard culture all need continued improvement to attract the next generation, even as companies court students at the nation’s academies and the government debates how to rebuild America’s maritime presence.

The global maritime industry, and particularly the seafaring sector, faces a workforce in constant flux, with Filipino seafarers currently dominating the labour market.

“We had Brits at sea, then it moved towards the Commonwealth and Eastern European nations with an underpinning contingent of Filipino ratings who are now becoming the officers of today,” explains Alasdair Wishart, IMarEST’s Technical and Policy Director, when asked about the global makeup of seafarers.

Maritime companies often follow the most competitive labour markets, and as wages rise in one region, recruitment moves elsewhere. “As [seafarers from a particular nation] they become more exposed and understand their market value, they then start coming up and becoming just as expensive as everyone else,” Wishart says.

Demographics aren’t the only shift the seafaring sector is experiencing. Today, a shortage of skilled seafarers threatens shipping operations worldwide, prompting unions, employers, and governments to seek solutions.