Washington, March 19 (NationPress) A critical warning emerged from Pentagon and maritime officials indicating that the United States is devoid of the necessary commercial maritime infrastructure to maintain military sealift during a crisis. This alarming revelation was presented to lawmakers, who were informed that years of decline in shipbuilding, cargo access, and fleet capacity have resulted in a significant logistics deficit.

During a joint congressional hearing focused on mobility readiness, Maritime Administrator Steve Kamall highlighted that the issues faced are both structural and longstanding. “The United States is not merely experiencing a fleeting maritime downturn. We are grappling with the cumulative impacts of a prolonged structural disengagement from the global maritime system,” he stated.

Kamall pointed out that the US has not constructed a commercial ship for global sale since 1960 and currently operates a US-flag international fleet comprising only about 80 vessels. He emphasized that the nation neither builds nor repairs ships at a scale sufficient to transport its own commerce.

The crux of the matter, he insisted, is the lack of cargo, which is essential for a thriving maritime ecosystem. “Cargo is absolutely essential,” he conveyed to lawmakers, cautioning that without access to a reasonable share of national trade, shipbuilding, repairs, and fleet expansion cannot be maintained.

He warned that existing programs, such as the Maritime Security Programme and the Tanker Security Programme, are under strain due to their reliance on a limited pool of government-backed cargo. He stated that expanding capacity without enhancing cargo access would “dilute utilization and diminish effectiveness.”

General Randall Reed, commander of the US Transportation Command, echoed this sentiment. “Cargo is king,” he affirmed, emphasizing that the availability of commercial trade is vital for sustaining sealift capabilities, ship crews, and logistics infrastructure.

Reed noted that Transcom depends on a combination of government and commercial resources to project force globally but cautioned that maintaining operations during an extended conflict could prove difficult. While the US possesses adequate personnel and vessels for an initial surge, “the real challenge will arise during prolonged conflicts and the associated sustainment,” he remarked.

He also expressed concerns over the survivability of aircraft in contested environments, particularly as adversaries enhance their detection and targeting abilities, and advocated for ongoing investment in connectivity and fleet modernization.

Lawmakers from both parties voiced worries regarding the aging platforms. Reed pointed out that the average age of the C-17 transport fleet is approximately 22 years and warned that delays in developing replacements could lead to future gaps. Regarding tanker aircraft, he stressed the necessity of continued investment in the KC-46 program, even while older KC-135 aircraft remain operational.

“The merchant marine serves two primary purposes; firstly, to transport our nation’s commerce and secondly, to support the nation in times of war when necessary,” he stated, stressing that the US needs to refocus on the former to ensure the latter.

This discussion highlights ongoing concerns within the Pentagon regarding America’s capacity to transport troops and equipment over long distances, which is increasingly hampered by an aging fleet and a dwindling commercial maritime base.

In contemporary conflicts, logistics—including sealift, airlift, and fuel supply—remain pivotal for sustaining operations across various theatres. For the US, especially in scenarios involving the Indo-Pacific, the capability to transport and sustain forces over extensive distances is deemed crucial for deterrence and warfighting readiness.