In Pursuit of a National Maritime Strategy

Reprinted with permission from Benedict's Maritime Bulletin. 

The U.S. Merchant Marine forms the backbone of our national defense sealift capability, and is the foundation of our nation’s ability to project power and sustain essential trade across the oceans. This proud corps of mariners has served in a public-private partnership with the Federal government since the birth of the Republic, but there is widespread agreement that it is at greater risk today than at any time in the last century. The domestic Jones Act fleet, sheltered within the brown waters of cabotage, remains stable and in some sectors thriving. In contrast, the deep water, internationally trading fleet stands at the precipice, having reached a critical point following a long, slow period of decline in face of unequal and unfair competition with open registries.