WATCH: Kelly Speaks with Transportation Command Nominee about Revitalizing US Maritime Industry

This week, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly emphasized the urgent need to strengthen U.S. maritime capacity and addressed the potential impact of a declining U.S. commercial maritime fleet on military readiness and national security.  

During the hearing, Kelly discussed with Lt. General Randall Reed—the nominee for Commander of US Transportation Command—the severe national security risks posed by maritime capability differences between the United States and China. Kelly received commitments from General Reed to prioritize maritime capabilities and work collaboratively to grow the commercial industry that supports it.  

As the only US Merchant Marine Academy graduate in Congress, Kelly has been a leading voice for strengthening the U.S. maritime sector. This year, he led bipartisan and bicameral efforts to enhance maritime capacity, including authoring the Congressional Guidance for a National Maritime Strategy and introducing the “Strategic Ports Reporting Act of 2024.” 

“China is the world’s largest shipbuilder and controls the most merchant ships in the world with over 5,500 vessels. There are just 80 merchant ships flying under the American flag in international commerce,” said Kelly. “We need investments now to be ready for tomorrow— that’s why I’m developing legislation to rebuild our commercial maritime industry and U.S.-flagged international fleet.” 

Click here to download a video of Kelly’s remarks. See the transcript below:   

Sen. Kelly: General Brunson, General Reed, Congratulations to both of you. 

General Reed, I’m the only US Merchant Marine Academy graduate in Congress currently, and I pay close attention to the strength of our merchant marine in our maritime industry.
China’s the world’s largest shipbuilder and controls the most merchant ships in the world with over 5500 vessels. There are just 80 merchant ships flying under the American flag in international commerce—80. I’m concerned that the size and capability of the US merchant fleet is a danger to our national security.

As you know, insufficient commercial maritime capacity impacts peacetime trade and supply chains, and it will hamper our ability to supply our own troops in a conflict. This isn’t a capability that we can turn on overnight. 

We need investments now to be ready for tomorrow. That’s why I’m developing legislation to rebuild our commercial maritime industry, and our US flagged international fleet. 

General Reed, can you explain how the lack of a commercial shipbuilding industry here at home and a lack of US flagged commercial ocean-going vessels is having real impacts on our national security and USTRANSCOM’s strategic sealift capability?

General Reed: Senator, it might actually surprise you to know there was a time where I actually considered going to that Academy. Growing up in Hampton Roads, I fully understand the importance of sea lift and that force. If confirmed as a TRANSCOM commander, there is no way that I can do my mission without the commercial industry. The fact that you just mentioned legislation, I’m not sure what’s in it, but I think that absolves me of one instance of asking for help from this committee. I know that we need to grow that force. That force is very vital and thank you for that help in advance. 

I’ll also share with you just within the last week, I happened to have a conversation with a father of two merchant Mariners. Very proud. They’re very young. They are within their first eight years and they’re very, very positive about their service. But obviously they hear things from the other sailors. And so, and, and, and so they, they get the noble service. They want to have folks behind them and, and, and their father is very, very proud of what they do. 

If confirmed, you have my commitment for that because that’s a vital part of the force that we have. It’s the decisive force that we have. And I also make a commitment to be very visible in the public space to inspire folks to serve there as well. 

Sen. Kelly: General, I look forward to working with you on this comprehensive legislative effort to fix this. And also, you know, we’re going to need to create a business case so US flagged carriers and companies can succeed economically.