The maritime industry has always been evolving and innovating. From the days of sail to the days of steam, and now in today’s modern environment, technology has made the business of shipping more efficient, faster and more reliable than ever before.

But even with increased efficiency and productivity has not been able to halt the continued decline of the American merchant marine and the U.S. maritime industry.

From its height at the end of World War II, the modern American merchant marine has shrunk to a tenth of its former size.

According to statistics compiled by the Maritime Administration, in 1955 there were 1,072 vessels sailing internationally under the U.S.-Flag. In 2005, that number was down to 95. Its Jones Act domestic fleet numbers 105. Some of this drop represents increased size of vessels (the 1,072 ships in 1955 combined for approximately 13 million deadweight tons, while the 195 in 2005 combined for 9.1 million DWT), but it still represents a major decline. Overall, in 1955 the U.S.-Flag fleet was almost 25% of the world’s overall tonnage. Today, we represent less than 3%.

There are a variety of reasons for the decline in the U.S. Merchant Marine – disparities in taxes (both corporate and on the mariner), overregulation of the industry, competition with foreign mariners from the developing world, and a lack of a coherent national maritime policy have all contributed to the decline of the merchant marine.

All is not lost, however. The American maritime industry has been the world leader in innovation and modernization for much of the 20th century. AMC and the rest of the industry will be working hard to level the playing field with our foreign competitors, educating the public and Congress on the need for regulatory reform, a coherent maritime policy, and tax reform.

AMC is confident that working together in a close partnership with industry, labor and government, we can return the U.S. Merchant Marine to its former place as the worldwide leader in ocean shipping.

Statistics (from the U.S. Maritime Administration)

Vessel Types

Tankers: Asphalt & Bitumen Carriers, Chemical & Oil Carriers, Molten Sulfur Carriers, Product Carriers, Crude Oil Carriers. Roll-on/Roll-off: Pure Car Carriers, Ro-Ro/Containerships.

General Cargo: Barge Carriers, General Cargo Liners, Heavy Lift Cargo Vessels, Multi-Purpose ships.

Containership: Fully Cellular Containerships.

Dry Bulk: Bulk Carriers.

Vessel capacities are expressed in deadweight (DWT) which is the total weight (metric tons) of cargo, fuel, fresh water, stores and crew which a ship can carry when immersed to its load line.

Breakdown of the modern U.S.-Flag Fleet by Vessel type:

Roster of U.S.-Flag Vessels Over 10,000 DWT