Introduction 1

Pillar I: Rebuild U.S. Shipbuilding Capacity and Capabilities 2

Increase Domestic Shipbuilding Capacity 2

Incentivize Investment in U.S. Shipyards 4

Establish Maritime Prosperity Zones to Catalyze Shipbuilding Investment and Workforce Growth 6

Address Supply and Demand Issues 6

Leverage International and Industry Partnerships 7

Pillar II: Reform Workforce Education and Training 9

Expand Mariner Training and Education 9

Modernize the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 11

Increase Support for State Maritime Academies 12

Maritime Industry Needs – Enhancing Training Capabilities 12

Pillar III: Protect the Maritime Industrial Base 15

Strengthen Preference Requirements 15

Establish the Land Port Maintenance Tax 16

Improve Government Procurement Efficiency 16

Actions in the Investigation of the People’s Republic of China’s Targeting of Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors 19

Pillar IV: National Security, Economic Security, and Industrial Resilience 20

Increase the Security and Resilience of the MIB 20

Increase the Fleet of U.S.-Built and U.S.-Flagged Commercial Vessels Trading Internationally 22

Establish the Maritime Security Trust Fund 22

Prioritize Robotic and Autonomous Systems 23

Arctic Waterways Security Strategy 23

Inactive Reserve Fleet 26

Deregulatory Actions 28

Elimination of Redundant, Obsolete, or Unduly Burdensome Regulations 28

Streamlining of Compliance Processes 29

Clarification of Regulations and Policies 30

Regulatory Updates to Account for Autonomous Vessels 30

Implementation of Potential Legislative Proposals 33

Legislative Efforts to Strengthen the Maritime Industry 33

Conclusion 34

List of Acronyms 35