Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Lost at sea: Why US shipping industry is in crisis - The Atlantic

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Atlantic
  • 29 May 2025 16:00
5 Min Read

In this Atlantic opinion piece, Arnav Rao argues that decades of deregulation and underinvestment have left the US dangerously dependent on foreign shipping, especially China.

Listen
  • x
  • A person on a scooter crosses a street in a residential area located right next to the Port of Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in San Pedro, California (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
    A person on a scooter crosses a street in a residential area located right next to the Port of Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in San Pedro, California (AP)

America’s decline in maritime capacity has become a critical vulnerability, argues Arnav Rao in an opinion essay for The Atlantic.

Once a dominant shipbuilding and sea power, the United States now builds just 0.13% of the world’s large vessels and owns virtually none of the commercial ships that carry its imports and military supplies.

With over 80% of its international trade by weight dependent on ocean shipping, this failure to maintain control of the seas is seen as a profound threat to national security.

According to The Atlantic, the current state of the US maritime sector is the result of decades of policy neglect. China now commands roughly 60% of all new shipbuilding orders and has more than 200 times the United States’ shipbuilding capacity. American ports rely on Chinese-made cranes, containers, and truck chassis.

As foreign firms dominate every link in the supply chain, the US Navy struggles with both a shortage of support ships and an insufficient number of American civilian mariners to crew them.

Pandemic exposed US vulnerability in ocean shipping

Rao notes that the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic made this vulnerability unmistakably clear.

Global shipping cartels, primarily European and Asian carriers, boosted spot rates by up to 1,000% and rejected US agricultural exports in favor of returning to China with empty containers to fill with higher-margin goods. This left American food rotting at the docks.

As The Atlantic details, the structural weakness in US maritime infrastructure extends to its military logistics. The Navy confirmed in late 2024 that it would lay up 17 support vessels, some newly delivered, due to a lack of qualified crews.

In the event of a Pacific conflict, the US would need over 100 fuel tankers but has reliable access to only about 15.

How deregulation gutted once-mighty shipping industry

At mid-century, the United States had a thriving, publicly supported ocean shipping industry.

Related News

US Army to expand Patriot missile force, adds Guam defense unit

Colombia's Petro slams US over submarine threat near Russia

But by abandoning regulatory oversight and public investment, Rao writes, the country undermined its long-term maritime strength.

The creation of the US Shipping Board and later the Federal Maritime Commission once enabled the government to restrain monopolistic pricing, prevent discrimination against small shippers, and keep cartels in check.

However, The Atlantic explains how policy shifts in the 1980s reversed course. The Reagan administration dismantled key aspects of maritime regulation under the belief that deregulation would promote efficiency. Instead, the reforms led to a resurgence of destructive competition, rate wars, and a wave of mergers.

The US Shipping Board had a whole fleet of laid-up vessels in the NY District in the early 1920s. We've added 580 folder level listings organized chronologically & by vessel name. Take a 👀 at https://t.co/Z8JaABBF00#FolderListFriday #ArchivesAtHome

📸https://t.co/L8SljYEdBR pic.twitter.com/caXCkd00II

— NationalArchivesNYC (@ArchivesNYC) May 29, 2020

Major American-flag carriers collapsed or were sold off, leaving no globally competitive US shipping line by the end of the 1990s.

Foreign cartels replaced national policy with profit-driven control

The consequence, Rao argues, has been a near-total foreign takeover of the US maritime domain. After Reagan-era deregulation, foreign-owned carriers and manufacturers began dominating not only shipping but also port infrastructure.

Asian nations, especially China, poured subsidies into shipbuilding, while the US slashed investment and let its shipyards fade into obsolescence.

As The Atlantic shows, today the US produces just a handful of large commercial vessels annually, nearly all for military use. Civilian surge capacity has vanished.

In a moment of growing geopolitical tension with China, this lack of maritime self-reliance represents a strategic liability of the highest order.

Regulatory solutions, not just tariffs, are urgently needed

Although some recent US efforts, including bipartisan congressional proposals and a White House executive order, aim to impose tariffs on Chinese-owned vessels and stimulate domestic shipyard investment, Rao warns that these measures don’t go far enough.

The real solution lies in reestablishing a system of regulated competition, one that prioritizes public service over corporate consolidation.

The Atlantic reports that such a system would compel shipping cartels to operate under strict government oversight, prevent excessive price hikes during crises, and ensure fair access for small and large shippers alike.

A revived Federal Maritime Commission could enforce uniform pricing standards and rein in exploitative practices.

Rao concludes that the United States has successfully tackled maritime collapse before, and it can do so again. During both World Wars, large-scale public investment and strong regulation transformed America into the world’s top shipbuilder. With coordinated policy, the same could happen now.

As The Atlantic emphasizes, it is not enough to rely on market incentives or reactionary tariffs. Only a bold, systemic approach, combining government-directed investment, robust regulation, and fair labor practices, can restore American command of the seas and protect national interests in an era of rising global instability.

  • US
  • US Shipping Crisis
  • China
  • US Maritime Policy
  • Ocean Shipping

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli soldiers drive on their armored personnel carrier back from inside the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Full occupation of Gaza on the table despite military's opposition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the audience at a conference in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Sunday, July 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu blamed for sabotaging Gaza captives deal, say their families

A mine operated by Serra Verde Mining in Minacu, Goias state, Brazil, Monday, July 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

China’s mineral export ban disrupts US defense supply chain

ap
Politics

Aid allowed by 'Israel' covers only 14% of Gaza's needs: Media Office

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS