Key Takeaways:
- Maritime Day 2025: The U.S. is taking big steps to restore its maritime power and challenge China.
- Merchant Marine Academy: Modernizing this academy is crucial for training officers who will lead future fleets.
- New Funding: $1 billion over 10 years is allocated to update the academy and improve shipbuilding.
- Bipartisan Support: Both Democrats and Republicans agree on the importance of a strong maritime strategy.
Why Maritime Power Matters If you think the U.S. military is all about fighter jets and tanks, think again. Much of America’s power comes from its ability to control the oceans. Ships carry troops, weapons, and supplies during wars. Without strong maritime power, the U.S. can’t project strength abroad or protect its interests.
For years, the U.S. has fallen behind in maritime strength. However, 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point. Leaders in Washington are finally taking action to rebuild America’s fleet and the people who run it.
The Forgotten Heroes of the Sea Behind every ship is a skilled crew, and those crews are led by officers trained at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in New York. This academy is unique because its graduates are trained to command both merchant ships and military vessels during times of war.
Today, 80% of the officers who handle military sealift operations come from the USMMA. Without these officers, the U.S. can’t move troops, tanks, or supplies across the oceans during a conflict. In short, no trained officers mean no effective military response.
Four Big Steps to Restore Maritime Power
- Executive Order on Maritime Dominance President Trump recently signed an order to modernize the USMMA. This plan will use existing federal funds to start upgrades right away.
- A New Campus for the Academy The USMMA campus, built in the 1940s, is outdated. A new bipartisan bill in Congress allocates $1.02 billion over 10 years to rebuild it. This includes $54 million for planning and design in the first year.
- The SHIPS for America Act This landmark bill aims to boost shipbuilding, improve mariner training, and upgrade sealift infrastructure. It also calls for modernizing the USMMA campus.
- Leadership Support Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who attended a recent event honoring WWII heroes from the USMMA, is backing the modernization. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will oversee the project to ensure it’s done right.
What’s at Stake? If the U.S. doesn’t invest in its maritime power, it risks losing its ability to project strength globally. China, in particular, has been building its navy and merchant fleet rapidly. If a conflict erupts in the Pacific, the U.S. must be ready to move troops and supplies quickly.
The U.S. Navy can’t do this alone. It relies on the Merchant Marine for sealift during wars. Without trained officers from the USMMA, this system breaks down.
A National Security Imperative For too long, the USMMA has been overlooked and underfunded. But this year, thanks to bold action from the White House and bipartisan support in Congress, things are changing. The U.S. is finally taking steps to modernize the academy, expand its fleet, and ensure it can produce the skilled officers needed for the future.
Maritime strength doesn’t start with ships—it starts with the people who command them. By investing in the USMMA, the U.S. is not just rebuilding its fleet; it’s securing its ability to defend itself and its allies for decades to come.
The Bottom Line Maritime power is a cornerstone of U.S. national security. With new funding and support, the U.S. is taking the right steps to reclaim its dominance at sea. The USMMA is at the heart of this effort, training the officers who will lead the next generation of American seafarers.