US lawmakers and industry leaders are pushing for a revival of domestic shipbuilding to strengthen port efficiency and national security, reported New York's Marine Link. A Senate hearing on October 28 highlighted the need to modernize commercial shipbuilding as foreign rivals, particularly China, dominate global capacity.
Senator Dan Sullivan said the nation faces a strategic challenge as domestic capacity remains limited, while Senator Cruz stressed ports drive commerce and jobs. Witnesses argued that shipbuilding is essential to preserve capacity in times of conflict and that US builders face non-market competition abroad.
Analysts note US yards lack scale compared with Asian rivals, which deliver vessels from feeders to 24,000-TEU megaships. Domestic yards have focused on noncontagious markets, leaving coastal container movements under foreign flag influence.
A new feeder project backed by Marathon Asset Management, Vega Reederei and AMTECH aims to let US ports determine vessel sizes to support operations. Smaller feeders could ease congestion, address driver shortages and expand coastal cargo movements.
Vega Reederei has ordered 10 diesel-electric coasters in Europe, with AMTECH adapting designs for US shipyards. The 3,800-dwt vessels feature fuel-saving technology and can be upgraded to full-electric propulsion.
BIMCO reported the nine largest US container ports grew 1.7 per cent year-on-year to 16.9 million TEU in the first half of 2025, while exports fell 4.2 per cent. The Marathon feeder project seeks to redistribute volumes as part of a broader logistics model supported by investments in rail, cranes and terminals.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9251100000367
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