Revitalizing Shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on April 23, 2026, focused on revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industrial base. Key procurement discussions included the Navy's $65.88 billion shipbuilding budget request for 18 battle force and 16 non-battle force ships, emphasizing distributed shipbuilding and long-term contracts to stabilize the industrial base. The Coast Guard highlighted historic investments in new cutters and shipyard modernization, including a floating dry dock and infrastructure upgrades at Coast Guard Yard Baltimore. Witnesses discussed challenges such as workforce shortages, supply chain issues, and the need for improved ship design maturity before construction. The importance of multi-year procurement contracts, such as the Virginia-class submarine program, was stressed to provide industry stability and cost savings. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) addressed efforts to support commercial fleets, cargo preference enforcement, and port infrastructure improvements, including in Guam. The hearing also covered the integration of AI and digital tools in shipbuilding and maintenance to improve efficiency and readiness. Several members emphasized the need for sustained, predictable funding and policy support, including the Ships Act, to rebuild the maritime industrial base and ensure national security. Votes were taken to enter statements and letters into the record, and multiple action items related to contract awards, acquisition planning, and industrial base investments were discussed.