Where's the Lift? Critical Operational Logistics Limitations on the Use of the Merchant Marine for Military Sealift in Times of Crisis
Abstract
The United States military is highly dependent upon the merchant marine to contribute to filling the operational logistics requirements associated with strategic sealift. With a continuing decline of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the U.S. is increasingly reliant upon foreign-flag ships and crews to serve this function. Countries such as China are making a concerted effort to improve their maritime industries, and there is an ever-increasing percentage of Chinese ships and other nationality-flag ships with Chinese crews sailing the high seas. Such significant resources would naturally be unavailable to the United States in the case of a conflict with China or one of its allies. The risk of insufficient lift capabilities for an operational commander to execute his plan in that case could be unacceptably high and must be managed. There have been a number of measures taken over the past two decades and additional measures are proposed to enhance the U.S. Merchant Marine so that it will be available for national security needs. Programs such as the Maritime Security Program, the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement, and the National Security Sealift Enhancement Act are key to preserving the viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine in a competitive international environment. It is vital for the U.S. military leadership to support these measures to ensure sufficient reliable sealift resources in the long term. In the near term, it is vital to realistically assess merchant marine sealift capabilities and their impact on warplans, and incorporate potential capability limitations into operational planning, specifically operational logistics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381858
Entities
People
- Sarah E. Bobbin
Organizations
- Naval War College