White House Unveils Trump Plan to Boost US Shipping Industry

Proposal includes new subsidies, fees on foreign-built ships, and initiatives to train more American mariners.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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President Trump has issued a plan to revitalize the American shipping industry, proposing new subsidies, levies on foreign-built ships, initiatives to train more American mariners, and deregulation. The White House says a 'self-sustaining domestic shipbuilding sector is critical for national and economic security' as the U.S. currently makes only a tiny number of large commercial vessels per year and most goods come to the U.S. on ships made in Asia.

Why it matters

The U.S. maritime industry has declined in recent decades, with most commercial ships flying foreign flags. The White House sees this as a national security risk and economic vulnerability, aiming to boost domestic shipbuilding and American-flagged vessels through the new policy proposals.

The details

The plan seeks to increase the number of ships made in U.S. shipyards by providing special loans, tax breaks, and other support for shipbuilders and shipping companies. To help fund these efforts, the White House recommends charging fees on foreign-built vessels when they dock at U.S. ports, which could raise up to $1.5 trillion over 10 years. The administration previously imposed such fees on Chinese vessels but suspended them as part of a trade truce.

  • President Trump issued the Maritime Action Plan on February 13, 2026.
  • Last year, the Trump administration imposed fees on Chinese vessels but suspended them as part of a trade truce.

The players

President Trump

The 45th President of the United States who has proposed a new plan to revitalize the American shipping industry.

CMA CGM

A large French shipping company that told President Trump last year it would make major investments in the U.S., but has been slow to follow through.

Hanwha

A South Korean company that plans to expand a shipyard it bought in Philadelphia under the Biden administration.

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What’s next

The Trump administration's Maritime Action Plan could help advance bipartisan legislation in Congress that also seeks to bolster American shipping.

The takeaway

The White House sees the decline of the U.S. maritime industry as a national security risk and economic vulnerability, and is proposing new policies to boost domestic shipbuilding and American-flagged vessels through subsidies, fees on foreign ships, and other initiatives.