Statement from the Metal Trades Department In Support of the SHIPS for America Act

The SHIPS for America Act represents the most comprehensive and serious effort in decades to reverse that decline. The legislation takes a whole-of-government approach to rebuilding the U.S. maritime sector—strengthening shipyards, modernizing ports, investing in workforce development, and expanding the U.S.-flag fleet.

For the Metal Trades Department and our affiliated unions, this is about more than policy—it is about jobs, national security, and the future of American industry. Our members build, maintain, and repair the vessels that support our military, secure our supply chains, and power our economy. A strong domestic shipbuilding sector is essential to ensuring that this work remains here at home, performed by highly skilled union workers under strong collective bargaining agreements.

This legislation will:

Create and sustain tens of thousands of good-paying union jobs in shipyards, repair facilities, and across the broader maritime supply chain

Strengthen U.S. national defense by ensuring the nation has the industrial capacity and workforce needed to build and maintain critical vessels

Rebuild domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign-controlled shipping and shipbuilding

Invest in the next generation of skilled workers through training, recruitment, and retention initiatives

The Metal Trades Department also recognizes that rebuilding the maritime industrial base is not optional—it is a strategic necessity. A strong Merchant Marine and shipbuilding sector are indispensable in times of conflict and critical to maintaining resilient supply chains in times of peace.

We join with our labor partners across the AFL-CIO in calling on Congress to act now. Delay only deepens the challenges facing this vital industry and risks further ceding ground to global competitors.

The Metal Trades Department stands ready to work with Congress, the Administration, and our labor and industry partners to ensure the successful passage and implementation of the SHIPS for America Act.

The time to rebuild America’s maritime strength is now.