Houston, Texas – (February 24, 2026) — Earlier this month, the White House unveiled the America’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP), establishing a strategy to revitalize the nation’s shipbuilding capacity and maritime workforce. The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the leading global authority in materials protection and performance, supports the Plan, which recognizes that restoring America’s maritime strength requires not just ships and shipyards, but also materials performance, corrosion control, and a technical workforce.
The Plan outlines coordinated federal actions to address decades of declining shipbuilding capacity and workforce readiness — gaps that have weakened the nation’s economic competitiveness and maritime security. Fewer than one percent of global commercial ships are built in the United States, a stark reminder of the scale of effort required to restore domestic shipbuilding capability and ensure the nation can build and sustain the vessels essential to economic and national security. Long-term maritime readiness depends on shipyard infrastructure, a skilled workforce, technical standards, and materials protection practices that keep vessels operational throughout their service life.
“As shipbuilding capacity expands and fleets grow, long-term performance and durability must be built into every vessel from the start,” said Jennifer Merck, Vice President of Maritime and Defense at AMPP. “America’s Maritime Action Plan recognizes that corrosion prevention, protective coatings, and a qualified workforce are essential to sustaining fleet readiness and ensuring these investments deliver operational capability for decades to come.”
Leveraging the legislative momentum of the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, championed by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN), the MAP complements and enhances these legislative efforts. The legislation provides the policy foundation to expand domestic shipbuilding, support workforce development, and strengthen the long-term viability of the U.S.-flag fleet. Together, the MAP and the SHIPS for America Act form complementary parts of a broader effort to restore the U.S. maritime industrial base and reduce reliance on foreign-built vessels.
“AMPP has supported the SHIPS for America Act and continues to advocate for policies that strengthen the nation’s shipbuilding and maritime workforce,” said Kern Williams, Manager of Government Relations at AMPP. “Corrosion control, protective coatings, and standards-based inspection are fundamental to maintaining fleet integrity and extending service life. Policymakers must understand the significance of materials protection to rebuild a maritime sector that is resilient, capable, and ready to meet national needs.”
The Plan and the SHIPS for America Act have direct implications for AMPP members, driving increased investment in shipyard modernization, vessel construction, and fleet sustainment. This will expand demand for corrosion control, protective coatings, inspection services, and standards-based asset-integrity programs, backed by shipyards, coatings manufacturers, asset owners, inspectors, engineers, and contractors. Corrosion is a significant cost driver in maritime operations, accounting for up to 25 percent of ship operating costs and often surpassing other major maintenance expenses, such as mechanical repairs and drydocking.
Workforce development initiatives in the MAP and the SHIPS for America Act align with AMPP’s mission to prepare the maritime workforce. Through certification, training, and standards development, AMPP supports professionals protecting vessels and maritime infrastructure from corrosion and degradation, ensuring long-term performance, safety, and operational readiness.
AMPP will continue working with policymakers, shipbuilders, and industry leaders to ensure the Maritime Action Plan strengthens the U.S. maritime sector and supports its long-term resilience and global competitiveness.
AMPP members and industry professionals are invited to participate in Advocacy Days, May 11–13, 2026, in Washington, DC. This event provides an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and advocate for the policies, standards, and workforce that support the maritime, defense, energy, and civil infrastructure sectors.
Learn more and register: AMPP Advocacy Day - AMPP.
For more information, visit www.ampp.org.
ABOUT AMPP
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is a global leader dedicated to the protection of assets and the performance of industrial and natural materials. Established in 2021, AMPP brings together nearly 150 years of combined expertise from legacy organizations to advance solutions that enhance safety, security, and sustainability across industries. Serving more than 40,000 members in over 150 countries, AMPP is the largest organization of its kind, providing innovative standards, certifications, training, and resources. Headquartered in the United States with offices in Houston and Pittsburgh, AMPP also operates regional offices in Brazil, Canada, China, Dubai (training center), Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. www.ampp.org