The United States is facing a well-recognized shipping crisis. From military commands and Congress to maritime analysts and the White House, there is growing awareness of America’s dwindling maritime capacity. The country appears ready to address the problem but largely on its own. While there have been occasional gestures toward bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding, the U.S. has yet to pursue a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to counter China’s dominance in global shipping. That approach must change. A coordinated, multinational effort is essential to secure maritime trade routes and build the sealift capabilities required for sustained expeditionary combat operations.At the heart of the issue is the stark disparity between U.S. and Chinese maritime strength. The U.S.-flagged merchant fleet stands at just 185 ships, compared to China’s 7,838 (including Hong Kong). In 2023, the U.S. accounted for only 0.1% of global shipbuilding, while China produced over half—50.7%. By 2024, U.S. companies owned just 2.16% of
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Anamika Mishra,
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