Trump Administration Announces Plan to Revitalize American Shipping Industry

President Donald Trump unveiled a comprehensive plan on Friday, February 13, 2026, aimed at revitalizing the American shipping industry. The initiative proposes a combination of subsidies, levies on foreign-built ships, workforce development programs, and deregulation measures, signaling a significant push to restore U.S. Maritime dominance.

Addressing a Declining Industry

The White House has identified the decline of the U.S. Maritime industry as a national security risk and an economic vulnerability. Currently, less than one percent of latest commercial ships are built in the United States, with the vast majority originating in Asia. This reliance on foreign shipbuilding creates supply chain dependencies and potential vulnerabilities in times of crisis.

Key Components of the Plan

• Subsidies: The plan seeks to increase the number of ships constructed in U.S. Shipyards through financial support for shipbuilders and shipping companies, including special loans and tax breaks.
• Levies on Foreign-Built Ships: To fund these efforts, the administration proposes implementing fees on foreign-built vessels docking at U.S. Ports. The White House estimates these levies could generate up to $1.5 trillion over ten years. Previous fees imposed on Chinese vessels were suspended as part of a trade truce.
• Workforce Development: Initiatives to train more American mariners are a key component, aiming to build a resilient workforce for the revitalized industry.
• Deregulation: The plan includes streamlining regulations to reduce burdens on the shipping industry and encourage domestic operations.

Investment and Capacity Building

The administration envisions “hundreds of billions of dollars in new investments” flowing into U.S. Shipyards, attracting talent from around the world. The goal is to expand commercial shipbuilding capacity and strengthen the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB). Currently, the U.S. Has 66 shipyards, comprised of 8 active shipbuilding yards, 11 with build positions, 22 repair yards with drydocking, and 25 topside repair yards – a capacity deemed insufficient to meet national priorities.

Strategic Competitors and National Security

The White House emphasizes that strategic competitors currently dominate the global shipbuilding market, building ships at a lower cost than U.S. Production. Restoring American maritime strength is seen as crucial for both economic prosperity and national security. A self-sustaining domestic shipbuilding sector is considered “critical for national and economic security.”

CMA CGM Investment

The plan follows a commitment from the French shipping company CMA CGM last year to invest in the U.S., while the White House notes that follow-through on that commitment has been slow.

Looking Ahead

The Trump administration’s Maritime Action Plan represents a bold attempt to reverse decades of decline in the U.S. Shipping industry. The success of the plan will depend on effective implementation of the proposed policies and sustained investment in the Maritime Industrial Base.