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April 9, 2025 Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance - Executive Order

Purpose

  • U.S. commercial shipbuilding and maritime workforce have declined significantly over decades, weakening national and economic security.

  • Since 1951, U.S. large merchant vessels have dropped from over 1,200 to fewer than 180 privately-owned ships—a decline exceeding 85%.

  • The U.S. now builds less than 1% of global commercial ships, while China produces about 50%; China also dominates container and crane manufacturing.


Policy Objective

  • Federal policy directs revitalization of domestic maritime industries and workforce to boost national security and economic prosperity.


Maritime Action Plan (MAP)

  • The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA), together with Cabinet-level departments (Defense, Commerce, State, Transportation, Labor, Homeland Security, USTR, etc.), must submit a comprehensive MAP within 210 days (~November 5, 2025).

  • The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) oversees legislative, regulatory, and fiscal elements tied to the MAP (e.g. Buy American Act consistency).


Key Actions & Requirements (Sections 4–21)

Industrial Base Strengthening

  • Within 180 days (~October 6, 2025), Defense and partner agencies must assess investment options (Defense Production Act Title III, private capital, Strategic Capital loan program) targeting commercial and defense shipyards, ports, and component supply lines.

Trade Enforcement & China Countermeasures

  • USTR is directed to continue its Section 301 investigation into China's maritime and logistics sectors (90 Fed Reg 10843, Feb 27, 2025) and consider tariffs on PRC-origin cargo equipment (e.g., ship-to-shore cranes).

Fee & Border Enforcement

  • DHS/CBP must ensure all foreign-origin cargo arriving by vessel clears at a U.S. port to collect proper Harbor Maintenance Fee and fees. Cargo first arriving in Canada or Mexico and then crossing by land will incur additional charges and a 10% service fee unless substantially transformed.

Allies and Investment Incentives

  • Within 90 days, USTR must coordinate with allies to align trade policies.

  • Commerce, Treasury, DHS must recommend incentives for shipbuilders in allied nations to invest in U.S. maritime projects.

Financing & Economic Zones

  • OMB and Transportation Departments must propose legislation for:

    • A Maritime Security Trust Fund (using tariffs, penalties, or fees)—to fund MAP-related programs.

    • A Shipbuilding Financial Incentives Program (grants, loan guarantees, Title XI loans) to support shipyard and repair facility investment.

    • Maritime Prosperity Zones, modeled on Opportunity Zones, across diverse U.S. regions (including rivers and Great Lakes) to stimulate industry investment.

Workforce & Education

  • Within 90 days, multiple departments must report on maritime workforce needs, including the number of credentialed mariners and training gaps.

  • Recommendation includes scholarships, credential reforms, international expertise exchange, and modernization of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) infrastructure via a 5-year capital improvement plan.

Procurement & Regulatory Reform

  • Within 90 days, DoD, DHS, Transportation, Commerce, and National Science Foundation must propose reforms to vessel procurement: reducing bureaucratic approvals, modular design, commercial standards usage, competition, and cost delays.

  • A separate internal review by the Department of Government Efficiency must propose efficiency improvements in DoD and DHS procurement processes.

Fleet Expansion & Arctic Strategy

  • 180‑day deadline to propose legislation expanding U.S.-flagged commercial vessel fleet with sufficient tonnage/reserve capacity to support national security needs.

  • DoD (with other agencies) to develop a strategy for securing Arctic waterways, delivered within 90 days for inclusion in the MAP.

Reserve Fleet Guidance & Shipbuilding Review

  • Within 45 days, agencies must review government shipbuilding usage to increase competition and reduce cost overruns in Army, Navy, Coast Guard programs.

  • DoD to review and issue guidance on maintaining and mobilizing a U.S. inactive reserve fleet within 90 days.


Supporting Facts & Figures

  • Commercial shipbuilding share: U.S. builds under 1% globally; China builds about half of all commercial ships.

  • U.S. merchant vessels reduced by ~85% since 1951 (from ≈1,200 to <180).

  • China leads with ~29% of existing containerships and 70% of containerships on order; also dominates container and port crane manufacturing.

  • Zero domestic production: U.S. builds ~0% of shipping containers and ship-to-shore cranes.


Summary

This executive order sets a multi-agency, intergovernmental roadmap to restore U.S. maritime industrial capability, workforce strength, and commercial competitiveness. Through investment tools, trade policy enforcement, workforce development, procurement reform, and international coordination, the goal is to rebuild a maritime sector capable of supporting national security and economic independence. Accompanied by measurable deadlines, cross-cutting institutional responsibilities, and fiscal proposals, the order establishes a strategic framework to address longstanding decline driven by foreign dominance—particularly by China—in shipbuilding, ports infrastructure, and maritime logistics.


Writer's Note: Summary made with the use of AI tools for editing and quick processing, facts checked against the order before publishing.



 
 
 

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