U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said his department will help lead President Donald Trump’s vision restoring America’s maritime dominance through shipbuilding and revitalizing the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Duffy said he applauded the president’s vision. As part of an executive order signed by Trump, the US DOT’s Maritime Administration will work with stakeholders to create a Maritime Action Plan that will revitalize the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, incentivize domestic shipbuilding, invest in maritime technology, enhance workforce development and strengthen maritime security.
“Today, President Trump delivered a major step towards resurrecting America’s maritime industry and ushering in a golden age in American shipbuilding,” Duffy said. “For far too long, the federal government has neglected domestic shipbuilding, deferred critical investments, and allowed our premier U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to fall into disrepair. We will ensure the United States remains the premier maritime power and an economic powerhouse. And to the young Americans from all over the country who are interested in a maritime career – know that this administration has your back and believes you are a worthwhile investment in the prosperity of America.”
Trump’s executive order includes a number of USDOT components including having MARAD work with federal agencies to establish a financial incentive program to invest in the construction of commercial vessels, shipyards and ship repair facilities; creating Maritime Opportunity Zones to incentivize domestic and foreign investment into the U.S. maritime industrial and waterfront communities; and developing a plan to sustain and grow demand for U.S. shipping and shipbuilding through existing tax relief opportunities, among other initiatives.