Impact of the future merchant fleet on military operating and support programs.

Abstract

This study deals with the impact of ocean shipping trends on the merchant fleet's ability to adequately fulfill its mission of providing a military auxiliary that is substantial enough to meet its role in the defense of the nation. After a brief history of the U.S. merchant fleet, trends in merchant ship technology, size and type are identified. Using these trends, a profile of future merchant ship type and manpower availability is presented. The manpower and ship types which the military would require of the merchant fleet in time of conflict are identified. Program action options to meet manning and shipping requirements are presented. The study concludes that the future U.S. merchant fleet will be unable to totally fulfill its military support requirements for manning or shipping.