For the Larger Navy US Needs, American Shipping and Shipbuilding Must Be Revived

Tom Stevens (C), director of ground assembly at Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works, poses with his son Shane Stevens (L) and Tim Garland in Bath, Maine, on Aug. 30, 2022. Robert F. Bukaty/AP Photo

Commentary

With the Navy’s eyes set on achieving a goal well above Congress’ mandated 355 manned warships, the American shipbuilding industry has a lot of work to do. Unfortunately, the industry’s current state doesn’t offer much hope for meeting those goals, let alone sustaining a modestly larger fleet.