Episode 710: Affordable Approaches to Improve US and Allied Shipbuilding and Ship Repair with Michael Roberts & Bryan Clark

There is almost a cottage industry in appreciating the decades-long shortfall in America’s maritime industrial base for shipbuilding and repair.After more than a decade of self-delusion in labeling the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as merely a ‘Pacing Challenge’, people are increasingly waking up to the fact that the PRC has overtaken the USA in the maritime arena—a domain in which we were globally unchallenged since the end of WWII.

When considering both its vast commercial capacity and its development of the world’s largest navy, it is a fair argument to make that the maritime challenge posed by the PRC now eclipses the threat posed by the Soviet Union at its peak.

With time being short, are there solutions? There are, as outlined by our guests for today’s Midrats, Michael Roberts & Bryan Clark and their report Shoring Up the Foundation: Affordable Approaches to Improve US and Allied Shipbuilding and Ship Repair from The Hudson Institute.

Mike Roberts joined the Hudson Institute beginning in 2022. Before then Mike was the general counsel and a senior leader with Crowley Maritime, a top American shipping company, and president of the American Maritime Partnership. His focus is on commercial shipping and shipbuilding industries, and specifically, how fundamental changes in US maritime policies are needed to compete with China.

Bryan Clark is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute. He studies naval operations, cyber and electromagnetic warfare, autonomous systems, military competitions, and wargaming. He is a retired enlisted and officer submariner and his last job in the Navy was as Commander’s Action Group Director for the CNO.

Summary

This conversation delves into the pressing challenges facing the U.S. maritime industry, particularly the shipbuilding sector, in light of China's overwhelming shipbuilding capacity. The discussion highlights the need for affordable solutions, legislative support, and workforce development to revitalize the U.S. maritime industrial base. The guests, Mike Roberts and Bryan Clark, present their report from the Hudson Institute, which outlines actionable policies to enhance U.S. and allied shipping and ship repair capabilities. They emphasize the importance of a consistent demand signal from the government to stabilize the industry and attract skilled workers. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by the US Navy in maintaining maritime readiness and resilience in the face of potential conflicts, particularly with China. It discusses the need for a robust US-flagged shipping fleet, the implications of supply chain vulnerabilities, and the importance of leveraging allied shipbuilding capacities. The speakers emphasize the necessity of innovative shipbuilding strategies, improved maintenance practices, and a shift in mindset to prepare for future military operations effectively.

Takeaways

• The U.S. maritime industrial base faces significant challenges.
• China's shipbuilding capacity far exceeds that of the U.S.
• Affordable solutions are necessary for immediate impact.
• Legislative support is crucial for revitalizing shipbuilding.
• Workforce development is essential for the shipbuilding industry.
• The Ships for America Act aims to increase U.S. flag fleet.
• Educational benefits can attract skilled workers to shipyards.
• A consistent demand signal is vital for industry stability.
• Shipbuilding is a low-margin business requiring government support.
• Investment in workforce training is critical for future success. The US needs a sufficient number of ships to support major combat operations overseas.
• China's control over global shipping assets poses a significant risk to US supply chains.
• The US Navy's reliance on foreign-flagged ships may not be viable in wartime.
• Innovative shipbuilding practices, including AI, can enhance Navy capabilities.
• Improving ship repair readiness is crucial for fleet capacity by 2027.
• The Navy must adapt its technical standards to facilitate faster shipbuilding.
• Allied shipbuilding capacities can be leveraged to enhance US naval strength.
• A consistent demand signal is necessary for ship repair yards to thrive.
• The Navy's public shipyards require significant infrastructure upgrades.
• A cultural shift within the Navy is essential to address current challenges.

Sound Bites

• "China has 230 times the amount of shipbuilding capacity."
• "The Navy is far from its readiness goals."
• "We need to build capacity not just for peace but for war."
• "We can build uncrewed vessels in many different places."
• "We have to change the mindset we've been living with."

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Maritime Challenges
03:11: The Shipbuilding Capacity Gap
06:04: Affordable Solutions for Shipbuilding
15:05: Legislative Support: Ships for America Act
17:29: Workforce Development in Shipbuilding
29:24: Long-term Stability in Shipbuilding Industry
34:10: Navigating Maritime Challenges and Supply Chain Resilience
41:07: Innovations in Shipbuilding and Maintenance Strategies
50:31: Leveraging Allied Shipbuilding and Repair Capacities
57:59: Preparing for Future Conflicts and Fleet Readiness