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Committee probes U.S. shipbuilding capacity and shipyard workforce; witnesses back Ships for America framework
Summary
Industry witnesses told the House committee the U.S. has physical shipyard capacity but lacks a stable demand signal, skilled workforce and streamlined oversight. Witnesses and members discussed the Ships for America Act, Guam shipyard potential, and the need for multiyear buys and labor training.
The House Armed Services Committee focused part of its hearing on America’s maritime industrial base, with multiple members citing a shrinking fleet, long maintenance backlogs and an eroded supplier workforce.
Max Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, testified the nation’s private shipyards "have physical capacity" but have acted cautiously because of decades of low demand, funding volatility and changing ship specifications. "Industry capacity is a reflection of the demand signal of our government and commercial customers," he said.
Paxton and other witnesses…
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