CAPABLE OF BEING USED AS A NAVAL AND MILITARY AUXILIARY

The author of the article compares the present and projected states of the American merchant marine to the requirements of the military and uses this comparison to conclude that neither the present fleet nor the projected fleet is able to meet the requirements of the military in a limited war. He states that the merchant marine is valuable to the United States as an economic asset since it stems the outflow of dollars and helps maintain a favorable balance of payments, but in order to keep this advantage and also meet the military requirements of the nation a new outlook is needed by the government. It is stated especially that the lack of usefulness of special purpose ships such as container ships and specialized tankers in military actions has been exhibited in Vietnam. Various subsidy proposals are made in order to keep new ships competitive and yet meet military requirements. The author recommends that American owners be allowed to purchase foreign-built ships in order to remain competitive and also to accelerate modernization of the existing fleet.

• Authors:
  • Kendall, L C
• Conference:
  • United States Naval Institute Proceedings
• Publication Date: 1971

Media Info

• Features: Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 212-227

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Flags of convenience; Merchant vessels; Military shipments; Operating subsidies
• Old TRIS Terms: Competitive merchant ships; Defense shipping
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00028644
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 10 1973 12:00AM