The United States is a maritime nation with 95,000 miles of coastline, a 3.4 million square mile exclusive economic zone, and over 350 official ports of entry. In addition, 95% of U.S. trade travels by sea. Thus, the economy and the security of the nation depend on the maritime domain. Further, as a global leader, the United States must be able to deploy forces globally to achieve national objectives. Therefore, the United States needs commercial and military ships, and shipbuilding is a vital, strategic industry. Despite its importance, the U.S. shipbuilding industry is a mere shadow of its former state, and some experts believe that the industry is in crisis. Southeast Asia now completes the majority of new commercial ship construction. As a result, the U.S. shipbuilding industry has significantly consolidated. Only a few yards engage in commercial production, and six yards owned by two companies (Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics) complete most large naval shipbuilding. Although U.S. naval shipbuilding yards currently meet national security needs, the prices of naval vessels are high and increasing to the point that the U.S. Navy may not be able to afford the systems needed to meet mission requirements. In addition, there are concerns about the industry's skilled labor and engineering workforce. This industry study assesses the health of the industry and its ability to meet national security requirements. It defines the industry, reviews current industry conditions, examines challenges facing it, explores its outlook and capability to meet future commercial and national security requirements, reviews possible government policy options, and concludes with a recommendation to address the noted challenges. To support this research, members of the shipbuilding industry study visited 15 U.S. and 9 Australian shipyards, 2 commercial customers, and a systems supplier, and were briefed by a trade representative and U.S. and Australian government officials.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    The shipbuilding industry

    McGovern, J. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1930


    British shipbuilding industry

    Cairncross, A.K. / Parkinson, J.R. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1958


    Polish shipbuilding Industry

    Centrala Morska Importowo-Eksportowo, Danzig | TIBKAT | 1978


    Czechoslovak shipbuilding industry

    Sovis, F. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1956


    Swiss shipbuilding industry

    Pfeil, P. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1929