A coalition of U.S. unions and shipbuilding employers unveiled a coordinated lobbying campaign on Tuesday aimed at advancing legislation supporters say would help President Donald Trump realize a revival of domestic shipyards.
The grouping, organized under the banner USA Shipbuilding Coalition, is pressing Congress to act on the SHIPS for America Act, which was introduced last year and has drawn bipartisan backing. The bill's stated objectives are to expand the fleet of U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged vessels, to train mariners to crew those ships, and to provide funding for shipbuilding activity within the United States.
"Revitalizing this critical industry is paramount to protecting our national security, creating jobs, and growing our economy," said Michael Wessel, president of the new USA Shipbuilding Coalition.
The lobbying push arrives while the SHIPS Act appears to be stalled, with supporters pointing to unresolved issues related to funding, regulatory arrangements and compliance as impediments to congressional action.
Wessel's lobbying firm previously helped coordinate a union-requested investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. That probe concluded that China uses unfair policies and practices to dominate the maritime sector, a finding that cleared the way for port fees and tariffs on China. Those measures were later put on hold after China retaliated.
The SHIPS for America Act envisions relying on a mix of revenue sources to support the planned domestic shipbuilding effort. Among the potential funding streams cited by supporters are port fees and tariffs on China, together with other tonnage taxes levied on foreign vessels.
A coalition representative said the group includes nearly a dozen unions, related companies and shipyards, but declined to provide a member list.
The coalition's formation underscores a concerted effort by labor and industry stakeholders to address the competitive challenges cited in the Section 301 finding and to secure legislative backing for rebuilding U.S. shipbuilding capacity. At the same time, the effort faces uncertainty tied to revenue mechanisms and the broader regulatory and compliance environment that Congress must resolve before the bill can advance.