With extensive coastlines on both the Pacific and Atlantic
Oceans, the US is a maritime nation. The US economy and
national security depend on sea power. In the early 1950s,
the US had approximately 1,288 US flagged vessels engaged
in international trade. Currently, a meager 80 US flagged
vessels are engaged in international trade. In stark contrast,
China has 5,500 vessels engaged in international trade,
boasts a rapidly expanding naval fleet and has become the
world’s largest shipbuilding nation, eclipsing Korea, Japan and
all other nations combined. China has further expended its
maritime capabilities and today dominates the production of
ship-to-shore cranes, maritime cargo equipment, logistics and
maritime software, as well as other maritime specialty areas.
