Happy National Maritime Day 2026!
In this special episode of What's Going On With Shipping, we take a deep dive into the significance of this day, exploring the storied history, the challenging present, and the potential future of the United States Merchant Marine.
- Since 1933, May 22nd has been designated as National Maritime Day to commemorate the 1819 sailing of the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic.
In this episode, we cover:
The History: Why we celebrate and the legacy of the SS Savannah.;
The Numbers: A breakdown of the current U.S. flag fleet (190 vessels) and where we stand globally;
Shipbuilding Realities: The massive gap between the U.S. and global leaders like China, South Korea, and Japan;
National Security: The roles of the Maritime Security Program (MSP),
Tanker Security Program (TSP), and the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) and
The Future: How technology, including autonomous shipping and modular nuclear reactors, could lead to a U.S. maritime renaissance.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
- Commercial Shipbuilding Crisis: The U.S. is facing a severe deficit in commercial shipbuilding, constructing around three cargo ships annually compared to China’s output of over 1,000.
- The Jones Act Waiver: The American Maritime Partnership is urging the government to end a 150-day Jones Act waiver, arguing it displaces American workers while failing to reduce gas supplies.
- Downstream Cargo Policy: Experts argue that subsidizing shipyards alone won't restore maritime power; the U.S. must also stimulate underlying cargo demand and logistics networks.
- Broader Global Impacts: Beyond domestic issues, global shipping is undergoing a massive shift with container rates stabilizing amid 4% capacity growth, while simultaneously navigating geopolitical disruptions.
For
a full breakdown of the debate and in-depth historical and policy
analysis, you can watch the complete episode directly on the What's Going on With Shipping YouTube Channel.
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