As we’ve discussed (see, “Merchant Ship Conversions to Wartime Use”), the US needs to require that merchant ships be designed for rapid conversion to military use in the case of war. A small step in that direction is taking place. Congress has authorized the Tanker Security Program to provide stipends for private tanker ships in exchange for a commitment to allow the military to use the vessels, if needed.
“The rule published today kicks off the process of standing up a critical program necessary for our at-sea logistics and mobility enterprise for the Departments of Defense and Transportation” said [Joe] Courtney, chairman of the House Armed Services’ seapower and projection forces subcommittee. “The Seapower Subcommittee pushed for the authorization of the Tanker Security Program on a bipartisan basis to address alarming capacity gaps in our at-sea fueling logistics capabilities and our reliance on foreign-flagged vessels to deliver these resources.”
The program would provide stipends to the owners of privately-owned, militarily useful tanking ships and in exchange the ships’ owners agree to use their vessels to assist the federal government if called upon.[1]
Some more information from the Maritime Administration (MARAD), as published in the Federal Register,
Congress appropriated $60,000,000 for the TSP in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, Public Law 117-269. Authorized payments to participating operators are limited to $6 million per ship, per fiscal year and are subject to annual appropriations. Participating operators will be required to make their commercial transportation resources available upon request by the Secretary of Defense for military purposes during times of war or national emergency.[2]
This is a good, if very small step in the right direction. In addition to securing the right to use merchant vessels, we must ensure that new construction is militarily useful and designed for easy conversion.
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[1]Breaking Defense, “Navy admiral touts sealift recap, stops short of saying 2025 problem is solved”, Justin Katz, 8-Dec-2022,
[2]https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26358/tanker-security-program
It would be even better if this ships would be prepared for RAS and the crews trained for it as in wartime it would be necessary.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, but many shipping companies hire NON-AMERICAN crewmen, to save on labor costs. Can we trust NON-AMERICAN crewmen to serve America's best interests, especially when any competently run intelligence agency will have spies and saboteurs infiltrate the shipping companies the US military will contract for logistical support?
DeleteNot to mention training the crews for replenishment at sea, will incur costs the shipping companies won't want to spend, unless Congress opens its coffers again.
"Can we trust NON-AMERICAN crewmen to serve America's best interests"
DeleteI have no idea but I would assume that the Navy gets the ship but not the crew. Do you have a reference stating otherwise?
"Can we trust NON-AMERICAN crewman to serve America's best interests"
DeleteWhen American young people are being taught that this is a horrible, racist country, that hates all foreigners, LGBT, and people of color can we trust AMERICANS? After all who wants to help a country they believe is evil?
On the other hand, as the number of American Merchant Marines dwindles, maybe we should look at recruiting some foreign mariners who do appreciate America by offering citizenship to those who faithfully serve in the Merchant Marine for designated period of time. I've found Filipinos and Nigerians to be more exited about America than a lot of locals in our big cities.
These ships will almost certainly be used for bulk fuel transport, with a secondary capability to consolidate with CLF ships--we have been doing this for several years under the "Charger Log" program.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what that is. Care to expound a bit?
DeleteIt is a program whereby selected civilian tankers embark a MSC/Navy det who man the unrep arrangements/communications etc. The ships are used almost entirely to consolidate cargo with CLF ships. They are usually either bare boat charter or leased by MSC.
DeleteThis article does a pretty good job of tying the various civilian/military experiments (including Charger Log) together.
Deletehttps://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2020/december/navy-needs-hybrid-crews-warships