President Trump today issued an Executive Order on “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” which directs a series of actions to revitalize and rebuild domestic maritime industries and workforce through a Maritime Action Plan due by Nov. 5, 2025 that has elements including the following:
- Maritime Industrial Base: Assessment of options for use of available authorities, resources, and private capital to invest in/expand the maritime industrial base, including investment and expansion of commercial shipbuilding capabilities, component supply chains, ship repair and marine transportation capabilities, port infrastructure, and workforce, and incentives to help shipbuilders domiciled in allied nations partner to undertake capital investment in the U.S. to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity
- Marine Training & Education: Report with recommendations due by July 8, 2025 to address workforce challenges through maritime educational institutions and workforce transitions, including any requirements for credentialing mariners that are unnecessary, insufficient, or unduly burdensome and related recommendations for reform (Sec.’s of State, Defense, Labor, Transportation, Education, and Homeland Security are directed to consult with industry in preparing this report); to be incorporated into a legislative proposal for the White House National Security Advisor and OMB Director that also includes scholarship programs for maritime experts
- Establishment of Maritime Prosperity Zones that incentivize and facilitate domestic and allied investment in U.S. maritime industries and waterfront communities
- By May 9, 2025, identify areas where the Dept.’s of Homeland Security, Transportation, and Defense could deregulate to reduce unnecessary costs and clear barriers to emerging technology and related efficiencies with regard to the domestic commercial maritime fleet and maritime port access
- Develop legislative proposal to establish a Maritime Security Trust Fund to support Maritime Action Plan programs
- Develop legislative proposal to establish a financial incentives program to incentivize private investment in construction of commercial components, parts, and vessels, capital improvements to commercial vessel shipyards and repair facilities and drydocks, and loans and loan guarantees
- Action to modernize the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy