US Allies Ready to Assist Shipbuilding, But Confusion Persists
URGENT UPDATE: Pacific allies are poised to assist the United States with its beleaguered shipbuilding industry, but confusion over communication is hampering collaboration. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) recently returned from a crucial trip to South Korea and Japan, where discussions centered on revitalizing American shipbuilding capabilities.
During their visit, the senators reported strong enthusiasm from South Korean leaders, yet highlighted a critical lack of clarity from Washington regarding its specific needs. “There’s just genuine excitement and energy on the Korean side to move as fast as possible,” Kim stated, adding that they are “just waiting for the United States to tell them how high to jump.”
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The U.S. faces a severe decline in shipbuilding capacity, with shrinking shipyards, delayed programs, and soaring costs jeopardizing its naval readiness and commercial interests. In stark contrast, China’s state-backed shipbuilders are rapidly expanding their fleet, threatening U.S. dominance in the region.
In meetings with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and executives from major shipbuilding firms like Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Duckworth and Kim underscored the need for better coordination. “I think the one main ask of everybody we talked to was, ‘We don’t know who to talk to,’” Duckworth emphasized, reflecting a widespread sentiment among allies.
The senators also engaged with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, focusing on auxiliary vessels, fleet readiness, and sealift capacity. Both South Korea and Japan boast robust shipbuilding industries, ranking as the second and third largest in the Indo-Pacific, respectively, and have the capacity to support U.S. efforts.
To address these challenges, the Navy’s proposed $47.4 billion budget for 2026 aims to fund 19 battle-force ships, although much of this funding is conditional. Furthermore, Duckworth secured a provision in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, mandating that the Navy and Army explore joint ventures with foreign partners for smaller vessels.
In a bold move, South Korea recently introduced a $150 billion package titled “Make America Shipbuilding Great Again,” which aims to create new U.S. shipyards, train American workers, and support ongoing ship maintenance. This proposal highlights the commitment of U.S. allies to bolster American shipbuilding capabilities.
However, obstacles remain, including visa issues, workforce challenges, and misaligned shipyard capacities. Duckworth and Kim presented strong bipartisan support for shipbuilding cooperation to their South Korean and Japanese counterparts, but without clear directives from U.S. leadership, these plans may struggle to materialize.
As competition with China intensifies, the urgency for reform in U.S. shipbuilding grows. Duckworth warned, “If the U.S. is going to compete with China in shipbuilding, then we really need to identify what our need is and what the plan is moving forward.”
Next steps involve appointing a lead U.S. official to streamline communication and coordination with allies. Only with clear directives can the United States convert the enthusiasm expressed in Seoul and Tokyo into tangible results. As the clock ticks, the pressure mounts for Washington to act decisively before its shipbuilding industry falls further behind.
