Trump's plan to ‘resurrect' American shipbuilding could mean opportunity for Tidewater
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — While President Donald Trump made many assurances during his marathon speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, likely no comment caused ears in Tidewater to perk up like his comment about shipbuilding.
'To boost our defense and industrial base we are also going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding,' Trump said. 'I am announcing tonight that we will create a new office of shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives to bring this industry home to America where it belongs.'
Va., NC legislators react to Trump's address
The shipbuilding and ship repair industry employs more than 41,000 people in Hampton Roads, according to the most recent State of the Region report. Newport News Shipbuilding is the largest private employer in the region.
However, David White, executive director of the Virginia Maritime Association, said the shipyard, owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries, is also currently the only company to be building new vessels all for the military.
Currently, those ships are being delivered to the U.S. Navy months, if not years, late.
Labor unions call on Trump to boost US shipbuilding against increasing Chinese dominance
'Certainly sending a clear signal that [this issue] is of national importance is a very, very positive first step,' White said.
Last year, several unions sent a letter to President Joe Biden noting that China manufactured more than 1,000 ocean-going vessels in 2023, while the United States made fewer than 10 ships.
The letter added that the Chinese shipbuilding industry received more than $100 billion in government support from 2010 to 2018, such that Chinese shipyards accounted for the majority of worldwide orders last year.
Most large cruise ships and cargo vessels continue to be built outside of the United States.
'It's far less expensive,' White said.
But White remains optomistic.
'Right here in Hampton Roads, we are the home to the to the nation's largest shipbuilding ship repair industrial base,' White said. 'So there is already more of those activities and that expertise that exists here than any place else in the country. … I believe firmly that with the investments and with the right efforts from a workforce perspective, that we can expand the capabilities that already exist here to increase our production capabilities.'
The Virginia Ship Repair Association, which represents many of the shipyards on the Tidewater waterfront, agrees.
'[The] Virginia Ship Repair Association welcomes any initiative that strengthens and supports the ship repair and construction industry in Virginia. While it is still early in the discussion of what a 'Department of Shipbuilding' would be like, we look forward to understanding how it could positively impact Virginia's shipyard industry and grow our workforce. Maintaining a strong maritime shipyard sector in Virginia will enhance our contribution to our national security through ship maintenance, modernization, sustainment, and construction.'
Virginia Ship Repair Association
'We are grateful for the President's supportive shipbuilding comments to Congress, as we work collaboratively with the government to expand capacity of the industrial base and accelerate throughput in our shipyards to meet a generational increase in demand, in support of the Navy and the nation.'
Danny Hernandez, spokesperson, HII
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