Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA)

SCA's Senior Defense Advisor, Kevin Terry, will be speaking at Marine Log Magazine's Ship Repair USA for a discussion on how evolving Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and MARAD budget priorities could impact maintenance and repair activity in the years ahead.

At a pivotal moment for the maritime industrial base and as the nation works to expand its fleet, domestic ship repair remains a core part of the industrial base that keeps vessels operational and mission ready. Keeping this work here at home is essential to preserving the skilled workforce and industrial capacity the US relies on to maintain fleet readiness and strengthen national security.

SCA's Matthew Paxton recently shared insights in a Letter to the Editor in The Wall Street Journal regarding the critical importance of upholding the Jones Act.

Granting extensions on Jones Act waivers directly contradicts efforts to rebuild and modernize our domestic shipyard industrial base.

We must prioritize our domestic supply chains, national sovereignty, and the thousands of American workers who keep our maritime borders secure.

On National Maritime Day, SCA recognizes the hardworking men and women of the U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair industry who strengthen our national security and support communities across the country. From our shipbuilders and repair workers to our mariners and skilled tradespeople, their dedication and craftsmanship power America every day.

We thank those who continue to build, maintain, and operate the vessels that support our nation at home and around the world. 🇺🇸

Last week, SCA concluded its 2026 Annual Spring Meeting in Washington, DC, following two days of productive discussions, fireside chats, and remarks from leading maritime champions in Congress. SCA members came together to discuss the future of the U.S. maritime industry, strengthen partnerships across the sector, and advance shared priorities critical to America’s economic and national security.

A big thank you to our sponsors, The American Equity Underwriters, Inc., Signal Mutual, and Mensura Capital, LLC, as well as our guest speakers Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Todd Young, Congressman Joe Courtney, Congressman Rick Larsen, Congressman Mike Ezell, and many others, along with our industry partners and member companies, for joining us. Together, we are building the momentum needed to further strengthen America’s maritime industry, deliver the fleet of the future, and ensure the sector remains a cornerstone of our nation’s security and global competitiveness. 🚢🇺🇸

SCA congratulates the recipients of the 2026 Safety Awards for their outstanding dedication to maintaining strong safety standards across their operations.

We thank the facilities and the hardworking men and women behind them for their continued leadership, vigilance, and commitment to fostering a culture of safety throughout the industry. 🇺🇸

The recent Jones Act waiver extension is a step in the wrong direction for strengthening U.S. maritime security.

While intended as a short-term response, it risks undercutting American shipbuilding capacity, weakening investor confidence in the domestic maritime industry, and opening U.S. trade routes to increased foreign competition at the expense of U.S. yards and mariners.

The United States needs targeted, disciplined policy tools that strengthen national security without eroding the industrial base required to sustain it.

Read more from SCA Vice Chairman and Master Boat Builders, Inc.'s Garrett Rice in RealClearPolitics below.
https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2026/04/30/the_jones_act_waiver_a_gift_to_china_and_natos_iran_onlookers_1179993.html

Today, SCA's Matt Paxton participated in a press conference on Capitol Hill alongside Congressman John Garamendi and Congressman Trent Kelly in support of the SHIPS for America Act.

This critical legislation represents a major step forward in strengthening America’s maritime industrial base, supporting U.S. shipbuilding and repair capacity, bolstering national security, and sustaining thousands of skilled jobs across the country.

Watch the full press conference below!🇺🇸
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoeNRDNe9Xg

For the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry, apprenticeships are more than a workforce pipeline - they are the foundation of a strong industrial base.

Next week is the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week, which highlights the value of hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world experience in building highly specialized skills.

As demand for the fleet of the future grows, continued investment in apprenticeship programs is essential to ensure the next generation of workers is ready to build and maintain the world’s most advanced vessels.

Learn how to get involved below!🇺🇸
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week

April 26–May 2 is the U.S. Department of Labor's National Apprenticeship Week, a time to spotlight the skilled men and women powering America’s shipyards and to highlight the value apprenticeships bring to employers and the broader shipbuilding workforce.

Apprenticeships open doors to high-quality careers, hands-on training, and long-term opportunities in a vital industry that builds and sustains the fleet of the future.

Learn how to get involved below!🇺🇸
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week

America’s shipbuilding is at a critical point in the face of global competition.

SCA's Paula Zorensky will be speaking on a panel tomorrow at the American Association of Port Authorities Legislative Summit, where she’ll discuss the path to revitalizing our shipyards and building the fleet of the future here at home in the U.S.🚢🇺🇸