Source: Independent Institute
by Caleb Petitt
“[T]he U.S. has a severe shortage of merchant marines. The Navy has had to sideline 17 support ships because of the shortage. The decline in merchant mariners has been dramatic: in 1960, there were 50,000, but now there are only 13,000. America needs more sailors and cheaper sailors. Many proposed solutions to the shortage would increase funding, promotion, and recruitment for merchant marine schools. While increased promotion and funding may modestly increase recruitment, they are unlikely to solve the shortage.” (01/23/26)
https://www.independent.org/article/2026/01/23/american-merchants-are-facing-a-crew-crisis/