The one thing folks in DC seem to agree on these days is the
need to stay ahead of peer competition with China and the danger an
ascendant China poses for US economic and national security. Since
China entered into the World Trade Organization, its economy and
its military capability have grown in leaps and bounds. While US
shipbuilding capacity has largely atrophied to the point of
producing only Jones Act and US military vessels required by law to
be built in the US, it has become increasingly difficult to find
economically competitive shipyards anywhere outside of China. Even
the Department of Defense has sought permission to buy
foreign-built vessels for sealift. By some accounts, China has a
merchant fleet of up to 5,500 vessels, while the US has only
approximately 90 US-flag ships in the international trades,
supported by stipends available through the Maritime Security
Program, Tanker Security Program, Cable Security Program, and by
governmentimpelled cargo
