b'NEWSWIRENEWSWIRE Executive Order Signed to StrengthenU.S. Maritime IndustryP resident Trump recently signedThe Executive Order includes severalgrowdemandforU.S.shippingand anexecutiveordertitledRe- components involving USDOT.shipbuilding through existing tax relief storingAmericasMaritimeopportunities and MARAD programs, Dominance. As part of the order, theFinancial Incentives Programand other means. In coordination with Department of Transportations Mar- MARADwillworkwithfederaltheNationalSecurityCouncil,MA-itime Administration (MARAD) willagencies to establish a financial incen- RAD will also look at opportunities, coordinate with various stakeholders totives program with broad flexibility toconsistent with existing law, to increase create a Maritime Action Plan (MAP).invest in capitalization and construc- cargo preference on liquid cargo carri-The MAP will include key initiativestion of commercial vessels, shipyards,ers, tankers, and military useful vessels, like revitalizing the U.S. Merchant Ma- and ship repair facilities. as well as open market procurement to rine Academy (USMMA), incentiviz- meet urgent military needs in tankers, ing domestic shipbuilding, enhancingMaritime Prosperity Zonescable laying, and repair vessels. infrastructureandcapacity,growingMARADwillworkwithfederal demandforU.S.shipping,investingagencies to create maritime opportu- Expand Mariner Traininginmaritimetechnology,enhancingnity zones to incentivize and facilitateand Education workforce development, and strength- domestic and allies investments in theUSDOT in partnership with USMMA eningmaritimesecurity.TheU.S.U.S.maritimeindustrialandwater- will develop a plan to surge resources to DepartmentofTransportation(US- front communities.the USMMA so the facility can under-DOT) has stated that it looks forwardgo modernization projects essential to to supporting the presidents maritimeGrow Demand for U.S. Shippingeducating and training the workforce mission as a matter of national securityMARAD will work with federal agen- needed to support the rapid growth of and economic prosperity.ciestodevelopaplantosustainandthe United States commercial and mil-itary fleets. The plan will also facilitate theestablishmentofnewincentives including maritime prosperity zones to encourage domestic and allied invest-ments in American shipbuilding.Improve Procurement Efficiency USDOT will work with federal agen-ciestoreformtheU.S.government procurementprocessesacrossthe government to make America a better buyeranddrivemorecost-effective methods and market predictability. Deliver Strategic CommercialFleet Program Proposal MARAD will work with federal agen-cies to establish a U.S. strategic commer-cial fleet goal of additional U.S. flagged vessel capacity for national security. FOGHORN 42'