Pentagon and maritime officials have alerted lawmakers that the United States is facing a significant challenge in maintaining military sealift capability during a crisis due to a lack of a robust commercial maritime base. Testifying at a congressional hearing, Maritime Administrator Steve Kamall emphasized that the country’s maritime decline is not temporary but a long-standing structural issue. The US has not constructed a commercial ship for global sale since 1960 and currently operates a fleet of only around 80 US-flagged international ships.
Kamall highlighted the crucial need for cargo to support a sustainable maritime ecosystem, stressing that without adequate access to national trade, shipbuilding, repair, and fleet expansion efforts would be unsustainable. Gen Randall Reed, commander of the US Transportation Command, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of commercial trade in maintaining sealift capability, ship crews, and logistics infrastructure. While the US has sufficient resources for initial military operations, sustaining operations during prolonged conflicts poses challenges.
Lawmakers expressed concerns about the ageing platforms within the US military, particularly the C-17 transport fleet and tanker aircraft. Reed emphasized the necessity of continued investment in fleet modernization and replacement programs to address future capability gaps. He underscored the dual role of the merchant marine in supporting both national commerce and wartime efforts, urging a renewed focus on strengthening the commercial maritime sector to enhance military readiness.
The discussions underscore ongoing worries within the Pentagon regarding the constraints posed by an ageing fleet and diminishing commercial maritime capacity on US military logistics capabilities. In contemporary conflicts, the ability to efficiently transport troops, equipment, and supplies across long distances remains crucial for operational success, especially in regions like the Indo-Pacific where strategic deterrence and readiness are paramount.
