The U.S. is embarking on a sweeping maritime revival, injecting billions into a shipbuilding industry that has struggled for years to keep pace with China’s naval expansion and America’s growing operational demands worldwide.
Matthew Paxton, the president of the Shipbuilders Council of America, said the nation’s shipyards are underutilized in the private sector for surface ships.
“Ship repair is really critical on the commercial side as well as the navy side,” Mr. Paxton said. “Our yards are dealing with a shrinking fleet. We need those maintenance dollars and we need that work.”