Publication

What contribution does the US maritime industry, and the policies that support it, make to the United States' national security? This publication responds, finding that 1) the US maritime industry affords the US the independence to trade, harvest the resources in America’s waters, and defend or advance the country’s interests; 2) the industry's shipbuilding and repair, domestic fleet, and international fleet are becoming increasingly important due to great power competition with China and Russia, and 3) this industry is supported by a set of mutually-reinforcing US government policies that help contribute to national security: the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Maritime Security Program (MSP), and Cargo Preference.