Thread by @mercoglianos

1/It’s Time For A National Maritime Strategy

I would add just a few comments to the article posted by @HudsonInstitute

breakingdefense.com/2021/08/its-ti…

2/One has to go back to 1920 when the nation had a comprehensive National Maritime Strategy with the passage of the Merchant Marine Act, known as the #JonesAct

3/The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative includes a maritime component to ensure the adequate supply of raw materials and export of goods. China had developed multiple sea routes and land corridors, while also building the largest commercial merchant fleet & shipyards in the world.

4/The US needs a Maritime Strategy that will generate cargo for carriers, encourage shippers to use US-flag vessels, create incentives for finance, and lower or offset construction & operational costs to compete against low wage foreign companies & subsidized shipyards.

5/To increase the international & domestic fleet, the US needs to resurrect the build-and-chartee program that will provide ship construction & new vessels. Expanding MSP is the quickest way to grow the fleet, and a ship lease program can provide an active ready #sealift force.

6/While it is great to have advocates in government, there is still no administrator for @DOTMARAD. Additionally the divided function of MARAD & the @FMC_gov need to be reintegrated to provide a sub-cabinet post for Maritime Affairs under @SecretaryPete.