Making The Merchant Marine Great Again

For decades, America’s maritime industry has been adrift. As China’s capabilities on the high seas became more lethal, we floundered.

That changed when President Donald Trump issued a clear mandate to restore our nation’s maritime dominance. He is committed to restoring America’s military might on land and at sea. That’s why we are aggressively expanding our shipbuilding capacity, bolstering the U.S.-flagged fleet size, and modernizing our ports. 

But let’s be clear: you can build big, beautiful ships all you want. But if you don’t have the American mariners to sail them, you’ve got nothing but a collection of big, beautiful, empty hulls.

President Trump and I understand that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point is America’s secret weapon. It is the training ground for the patriots who keep our global supply lines open and our economy humming. In times of war, they transport military goods to the front lines.

Yet, despite this vital mission, the academy was allowed to crumble and suffer. When I first stepped onto the Kings Point campus last year, I was appalled. Midshipmen were living without consistent heat or hot water, using plastic utensils and paper plates in the mess hall because their dishwasher had been broken for months, and relying on an ancient IT system in buildings that had likely not seen an upgrade since Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the campus in 1943.

These midshipmen serve our country; they should never have been forgotten. America wouldn’t be here without the merchant marine, and the merchant marine wouldn’t succeed without these bright young patriots. 

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President Trump and I will not allow their needs to fall on deaf ears. These midshipmen deserve a campus that reflects the greatness of the country they serve.

That’s why we’ve been raising the alarm. My team has spent the last year pouring every resource into overhauling this broken system. By cutting through decades of red tape, we are creating an irreversible momentum to propel Kings Point into the 21st century.

We signed a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Army Corps of Engineers, who are now on-site daily to drive these massive infrastructure projects forward. They are operating at the Speed of Trump and bringing a record number of top-tier contractors to the table.

More importantly, we have installed decisive leadership who “understand the assignment” and are returning the regiment to the academy standard for military officers. We have replaced bureaucratic stagnation with an unwavering commitment to getting things done.

We’re already seeing results. Projects that were over budget and delayed are no longer boondoggles. We swiftly upgraded HVAC equipment and installed new equipment to end hot water and heat outages. Barracks and shower facilities are being overhauled for a summer 2026 completion. Feedback from midshipmen has been stellar — they are grateful for an administration that is actually delivering tangible campus improvements.

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On the academic front, we are giving the library a total facelift, revamping the IT infrastructure, and building new learning facilities, complete with state-of-the-art classrooms, simulators, and lecture halls. These upgrades go hand-in-hand with our overhaul of the academy’s curriculum and our mission to recruit elite faculty to shape the next generation of America’s leaders.

By the end of 2026, we will have put more than $350 million into this campus. But this massive campus modernization simply won’t be possible relying exclusively on the annual funding the academy receives. To build the world-class simulators, the brand-new barracks, and the academic facilities these midshipmen need to lead, we must keep the pedal to the metal.

We’re working with our partners in Congress to secure additional support and make Kings Point great again. Upgrading the academy isn’t just about brick and mortar; it is about strengthening America’s supply chains and national security for the next century. This is a no-brainer for those who believe in an America First future that President Trump is laser-focused on delivering.

The success of our nation runs through the gates of Kings Point. We have a plan. We have the leadership. Now, let’s get it done.

Sean Duffy is the United States Secretary of Transportation.