US Navy Faces Crisis in Shipbuilding

The U.S. Navy's shipbuilding capabilities are currently at their lowest point in 25 years, hampered by a severe labor shortage and production backlogs amid increasing global threats. The Navy struggles to hire and retain skilled workers as experienced veterans retire, which has resulted in a widening gap in the number of vessels compared to China. Eric Labs from the Congressional Budget Office expressed concern over the navy's shipbuilding state, stating, 'I feel alarmed,' and noting the slow recovery trajectory. Currently, Fincantieri Marinette Marine can only produce one guided-missile frigate per year despite being contracted to build six. To address the workforce issue, shipyards are establishing training programs and collaborating with technical colleges to develop new talent. Lucas Andreini, a young welder at Marinette Marine, is among those benefiting from these training initiatives.