Garamendi and Kelly introduce SHIPS for America Act to expand US fleet

10 articles · Updated · Fox News · Apr 30

Backed by Senator Todd Young and Representative Trent Kelly, the bill targets 250 more US-flagged ships in 10 years and investment in private shipyards, mariner training and a Strategic Commercial Fleet Program.
The lawmakers say the measure would modernise shipyards, strengthen supply chains and create thousands of jobs while reducing reliance on foreign-built vessels and suppliers.
They frame it as a response to US maritime decline and China's shipbuilding dominance, citing 2024 output of five US merchant vessels versus 1,400 in China and recent Chinese rare earth export restrictions.

Can America's plan to build 250 ships realistically challenge China's massive 5,500-vessel fleet?

Beyond ships, can new alliances break China’s chokehold on the critical minerals that power modern technology?