The US Maritime Security Program

What is it and what does it do?

The Maritime Security Program (the "MSP") is a U.S. government program under which a fleet of commercially viable, militarily useful merchant ships active in international trade, are readily available to support the U.S. Department of Defense during times of conflict or in other national emergencies. The MSP was established in 1996 as part of the Maritime Security Act under President Clinton, and continues today under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.

Under the MSP, the United States government is authorized to enter into congressionally funded, long-term operating agreements with privately-owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels and their civilian U.S. citizen crews. The MSP program provides a retainer incentive to vessels in exchange for their availability during times of war or national emergency, at which time, the owner party to the operating agreement must make their ship and commercial transportation